Apple Watch Series 6 vs Apple Watch Series 7: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Sooner or later, owners of the Apple Watch Series 6 end up asking the same thing: is its direct successor, the Apple Watch Series 7, a real step forward? Surprisingly little separates them. A handful of specs move the needle; the rest are rounding errors.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Tie
- Battery Life Tie
- Smart Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price Tie
- Display5.0
- Health & Fitness Sensors5.7
- Smart Features & Connectivity8.2
- Display5.0
- Health & Fitness Sensors5.7
- Smart Features & Connectivity8.2
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Apple Watch Series 6 has a 0.08 oz lighter case
The Apple Watch Series 6 has a modest edge on weight (largest, no band): 1.29 oz against 1.37 oz for the Apple Watch Series 7. Bands add weight too, so the case weight is a starting point for how the watch will feel.
Design & Size
- Apple Watch Series 6 44 mm × 0.42 in
- Apple Watch Series 7 45 mm × 0.42 in
If compact matters to you, the Apple Watch Series 6 is the one to look at. The Apple Watch Series 7 is physically larger all round. By weight, the Apple Watch Series 6 has the edge: 0.08 oz less than the Apple Watch Series 7.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 6 | Apple Watch Series 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 44 mm | 45 mm |
| Available sizes | 40 mm, 44 mm | 41 mm, 45 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium | Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium |
| Thickness | 0.42 in | 0.42 in |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 1.29 oz (winner) | 1.37 oz |
Display
Too close to call
Neither the Apple Watch Series 6 nor the Apple Watch Series 7 has a real advantage in the display category. If display was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Too close to call
The Apple Watch Series 6 and the Apple Watch Series 7 match each other closely in this area. Either watch will serve you equally well on health & fitness sensors.
Battery Life
Too close to call
This is a tie in all but name. On battery life, both deliver about the same. Treat battery life as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
In the smart features & connectivity category, the Apple Watch Series 6 and the Apple Watch Series 7 land in almost the same place. The smart features & connectivity verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 6 | Apple Watch Series 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED |
| Resolution (largest) | 368 x 448 | 396 x 484 |
| Peak brightness | 1,000 nits | 1,000 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 6 | Apple Watch Series 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | No | No |
| GPS | Built-in GPS/GNSS | Built-in L1 GPS (GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou) |
| Dual-frequency GPS | No | No |
Battery Life
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 6 | Apple Watch Series 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 18 h | 18 h |
| Charging | Magnetic charging cable | USB-C magnetic fast charging, 0 to 80% in about 45 min |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 6 | Apple Watch Series 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S6 | S7 |
| Storage | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Cellular option | Yes | Yes |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone only | iPhone only |
| Software | watchOS | watchOS |
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 6 | Apple Watch Series 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 44 mm | 45 mm |
| Available sizes | 40 mm, 44 mm | 41 mm, 45 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium | Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium |
| Thickness | 0.42 in | 0.42 in |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 1.29 oz (winner) | 1.37 oz |
Price
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 6 | Apple Watch Series 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $399 | $399 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
At launch, the Apple Watch Series 6 and the Apple Watch Series 7 cost the same.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked October 2021. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Apple Watch Series 6 if…
- you wear your watch to sleep and barely want to feel it (1.29 oz vs 1.37 oz)
- you’re fine skipping this generation’s changes
- you want the more compact watch
Choose the Apple Watch Series 7 if…
- you’d rather start with the later of the two generations
- you find that bigger suits the way you use a watch
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Apple Watch Series 6 or the Apple Watch Series 7?
The Apple Watch Series 7 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you already own the Apple Watch Series 6.
Is the Apple Watch Series 7 worth it over the Apple Watch Series 6?
The Apple Watch Series 7 adds a handful of small refinements. That’s welcome, but owners of the Apple Watch Series 6 who are happy with it can reasonably wait.
Which has better battery life, the Apple Watch Series 6 or the Apple Watch Series 7?
Neither has a meaningful advantage. The Apple Watch Series 6 and the Apple Watch Series 7 are rated close enough that your usage will matter more than the spec sheet.
Is the Apple Watch Series 6 bigger than the Apple Watch Series 7?
The Apple Watch Series 7 takes that one. With dimensions of 0.42 in, it is larger than the Apple Watch Series 6 (0.42 in).
Which weighs less, the Apple Watch Series 6 or the Apple Watch Series 7?
The Apple Watch Series 7 is the heavier of the two; the Apple Watch Series 6 saves 0.08 oz.
Executive Summary
New generation, same question from me: is the Apple Watch Series 7 a real step up from the Apple Watch Series 6, or mostly a new name on the box? The Apple Watch Series 6 does have a strong card to play: a 0.08 oz lighter case.
If portability is your thing, the Apple Watch Series 6 fits. If having the newer model matters more, the Apple Watch Series 7 makes more sense.
My pick: the Apple Watch Series 7 if you’re buying fresh, but I wouldn’t rush to replace a working Apple Watch Series 6.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.