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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Health & Fitness, Shay ·

Apple Watch Series 7 Review


Hello, hello!

Okay, I had an entirely different post today, but due to soooo many emails, comments and DMs about my new Apple Watch Series 7 (and the fact that I mentioned I didn’t love it on Stories a few days ago), I am going to talk about it today (for those of you doing holiday shopping!).  Now, typically, I would have my watch longer than five days before reviewing it, but it appears time is of the essence here, so I’m going to share what I know.

But first, let’s backtrack as this is my SEVENTH Apple Watch.

Let’s go backwards…

I bought my Series 6 last November and shared my full review HERE.  I loved this version of the Apple Watch and to date, it was probably my favorite.  That takes us to…

…my APPLE WATCH SERIES 5 .

I had it a little over a year and if you read my review, you know, I didn’t love it

My Apple Watch 4…

Apple Watch 4 Review

…(which I reviewed it HERE) was awesome!  I loved the updates and changes Apple made and was very pleased with it!

I had the Series 4 for one year (after having the 1, the 2 and the 3).  I bought my first Apple Watch in 2016 and loved it.  I am the least techy person you’ll ever meet, but it was so user-friendly that it quickly became one of my favorite things.  The only thing not perfect about the Apple Watch 1 was that it wasn’t water proof.

And then…

…Apple came out with the Apple Watch 2 which WAS WATERPROOF and my world was once more rocked, so I upgraded to that one.  It was amazing.  It did everything my first one did, but I could swim with it on, take a shower with it on, wash dishes, bathe kids…do everything with it on and my love of the Apple Watch just grew and grew.  And then…

Apple Watch 3 Review

…Apple came out with the Apple Watch 3 that could have cellular functions without your phone nearby.  What?  I could leave my phone at home and drive to my kids’ school and still make/receive calls and texts?  I could go on a run or bike ride and leave behind the phone, but still have access to calling/texting if I needed to? What?  Amazing! I upgraded again to the Series 4 which pretty much functioned the same as the 3, but the face was larger and thinner…I liked that.  Bigger screen but with less bulk?  Yes, please! I upgraded.  And then, I had the Apple Watch 5 which, naturally, I thought I’d love, but I didn’t.  You can read the review HERE.

My biggest beef with the Apple Watch 5 was that my battery died every day.  On my other watches, I could go a full day (if not a day and a half) before it died, but with my 5, it died every day around 6:30 or 7:00 at night.  (And really, is there anything more pointless than a dead watch on your wrist?!  I think not.)  I took it into the Apple store and was told that a short battery life was a common complaint for the 5 and that I wasn’t alone.  Needless to say, I was PUMPED about the arrival of the Series 6.

Now, the big new feature of the Apple Watch 5 is that the screen never turns off.  With all of the other watches, when your wrist isn’t up and you are looking at it, the screen is black.  So, for instance, when I’m holding planks, I can’t see my timer because my wrist is down, so all I see is black, but with the 5 (and now 6), the screen is ALWAYS on.  I ended up turning this feature off early on with my Series 5 in order to save my battery (so cool new feature, but I couldn’t use it).

So…now that we’re all caught up…let me tell you about my Series 7.

Since owning an Apple Watch and spreading the word has kind of become my unofficial “thing” and because I literally wear it every waking minute of my day, I automatically upgraded when the 7 came out and pre-ordered it.  It arrived last week, and I set it up and charged it the rest of the day.  The next morning, I was super pumped to head out and use it.  I put it on at 4:00 AM (just like normal) and worked out for one hour (just like normal) with the fitness tracker activated the whole time (just like normal) but by 8:20 AM, it was dead.  D-E-A-D.  Whaaaaat?  How can my watch be dead after only 4 hours and 20 minutes?!  I had wrapped up my Series 6 to trade in (you get to trade in your watches for a discount on the new one), and was just about to ship it back to Apple but instead I decided to keep it a few more days just in case I didn’t love the 7 (and it turned into a Series 5 situation).

So, that was about five days ago.

And apparently, that was an isolated event because since that day…my watch has been working p-e-r-f-e-c-t-l-y.

Last night, at 9:30, I checked to see what the battery life said, and it was only at 47% which is GREAT!!  Therefore, when I’m done typing out this blog post, I am mailing Apple back their Series 6 and keeping the 7.

My Series 6 and 7 look and act almost identical to my Series 5 BUT I can keep the face lit up all day long and not only does it not die, by the end of the day.

Here is my Series 7 next to my Series 6.  A few things to note…

…The watches seem to be the same size (there is a 1mm difference between the two), but the 7 (the more gold one) does seem a bit thinner, and it’s 45mm instead of 44mm.  That being said, when I hold them both in my hand, it does feel a tinnnnny bit heavier.  Maybe that’s just my imagination, but that’s what I’m thinking.  Now, you’ll notice the color.  For several series, Apple called “gold” the rose gold color.  (You can read my other reviews to confirm this.)  I liked the rose gold color myself, but this time, gold really meant gold.  This watch also comes in other colors, but if you’re used to getting “gold” and actually receiving the “rose gold”, this watch will look gold-gold.

You can read all about the Series 7 HERE on their website. On Apple’s site there are videos and demonstrations too.

Because I haven’t had my watch a very long time, I don’t know all the ins and outs just yet, but three things stick out.  First, the color (the gold vs rose gold), the second things is that when picking my band that comes with the watch, this time, I picked a sport loop band and hated it immediately.  I thought it was too hot, too tight, not nearly as awesome as their plain sports bands.  I wish I wouldn’t have picked the sport loop band option.  Just an FYI.  The third thing I noticed was…

…texting is different!  I love to text on my watch, and honestly, this is much easier and more accurate than the original way.  (If you currently have an Apple watch, you know what I’m talking about.)  I thought this was a huge improvement!

Here are some bits of info regarding me and my watch:

1: I have always bought the largest size available (which has changed throughout the years).  Right now, the largest size is 45 mm, so that’s what I bought.
2: I have always bought the “gold” option, but you’ll notice, in 5 out of the 7 watches, “gold” looks very “rose gold”.  I don’t know why that is…but I’ve always bought “gold” and it’s almost always a pinky-gold.
3: I’ve always bought the “aluminum case with sports band” option.  There have always been a variety of options, but this one (which is the most basic) is the one I’ve always purchased.  This time, I do regret the sport loop.
4: Washing bands are easy!  Many days, I just shower in my watch and it gets clean (since my Series in waterproof) or I take a Clorox wipe and just wipe it down.  When I’m not wearing a band (over the years, I’ve collected so many!), I keep them all in one baggie in my office.
5: I wear my watch all day, every day.  I almost always put it on around 4:00 in the morning and then don’t take it off until 10:00 at night.

Whew!

If you want to compare the different Series that are being sold right now (there are three different ones), Apple has a place on their site for that.  If you have other specific questions, please leave it in the comment section, and I’ll do my best to answer.  Again, I haven’t had mine long, but I know so many of you want to know if you should upgrade and/or buy one for a Christmas gift!

That wraps up today!  I hope this helps!  See you tomorrow! xx

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Comments

  2. Angie says

    Shay, Do you find you actually go anywhere with out your phone? I bought the cellular one as well, but as it ends up I never not have my phone so then I go back to wondering if the WiFi model is enough.

    • Lindsay says

      Hi! I just wanted to respond that I tend to use the cellular option on my watch when I accidentally leave my phone at home. So it’s not planned but happens quite a bit. Usually I’m running out the door to get the kiddo or run errands. It has been so wonderful to still have the “phone” or text option even if I leave my phone at home. It’s one of my favorite things about my Apple Watch.

  3. Nicole says

    Yay!! I commented on another post, but I would love to see an updated week of work outs for you!! Not going to the gym, I need to set up a little routine/schedule and love seeing what you do!

  4. Stephanie says

    I have been waiting for this post! Thank you! Quick question though…. I don’t think the 7 comes in a gold aluminum case this year. To get gold you have to buy the more expensive titanium case right? Or did I miss it?

  6. Beth says

    Shay – I had a series 4 and loved it but it died. I just replaced it with a series 7 and am very happy that the face stays lit all the time, even in the pool! My question is about wearing it in the shower. Do you set it on waterproof when showering? I always take mine off because I worry about soap affecting it. I noticed that you wear it while bathing and I guess it has never damaged it. Would you comment? Thank you, Beth

  9. Nicole B says

    Hi! Does your Tory Burch strap fit the new watch? I am waiting for my watch to come in before I order it, but curious if it still works for you?

  10. April says

    I upgraded to the 7 from a 3 and I LOVE it. This is the first one I’ve had that the face stays on – game changer. And I like that the more of the actual face is used with the watch and not just dead space. So even though it is technically the same size the display seems a tad bigger. Thanks for reviewing. And I’m glad to see your short battery life was a fluke – I really wondered when I saw your story about it, because my battery life has been great. Happy Thursday!

  12. Leslie says

    Looks like the gold doesn’t come in aluminum this time, only stainless steel. Might be why it feels a little heavier.

  13. Melissa says

    Hi—do you recommend replacing each year? I got the 4 about 18 months ago and love it (though still feel like I’m learning how to use it! Lol) and that I’d replace once it broke or quit working. When I read your post it sounded like you get the new version every year and wonder if that is better because of improvements made. If your old ones still work, what do you do with those? I already feel bad about all my nice (pretty) watches I have that I spent a small fortune on before my Apple Watch that never see the light of day! ?

  14. Kathy says

    Loved the review Shay! I am currently waiting for my 7 to ship! I ordered the 45mm starlight with starlight original
    band. I’ve had the 1st series and the 4th series. Looking forward to the upgrade.

  15. Ruth says

    So, would you recommend the 7 or stay with the 6? I’m still on the 2 (yikes!) and hoping for one for Christmas. Need to let Santa know which one I want!

  16. Arika says

    Can you change the settings on the watch so that the face is NOT on all the time? My current watch (I forget the model) only comes on when I turn my writst to read it. I think it would be distracting for me if the face was lit up all the time. Thanks!

  17. Heather says

    I just love that this is your “unofficial” thing, because I was just thinking about do I want to upgrade? But I was like well Shay hasn’t reviewed it yet. And then today-here it is!!! BAHAHAHA

  18. Haley says

    Please tell me you have apple pay set up on your watch?! LIFE-changing, ha! I previously thought you had to have an “Apple card” but nope, my costco citi visa is plugged in it is so amazing!!! walking into the store with nothing is so great!!!

  22. Kaylee says

    Does the 7 require you to have the cellular plan? Can you receive texts if you don’t have the cellular option?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      It does not require you to have it (you set that up separately). You can receive texts and calls while you’re near your phone (like if you’re phone is in your house somewhere, you can use it, your phone doesn’t have to be on you). If you want to receive texts and calls AWAY from your phone, you need cellular.

      • Brina says

        I just got my first Apple Watch (7) for my birthday. Currently don’t have the cellular plan. As someone who uses yours for working out outside, do you have a cellular plan? I like to run outside and am thinking it would be nice to have it so I don’t have to take my phone. Would love your perspective! Thanks!

        • Mix and Match Mama says

          Yes, yes, yes! Having cellular is a HUGE game changer!! Just about 15 minutes ago, I was using mine to talk on the phone (I was not at my house). I really think you’ll love having it!

  23. Caroline Walker says

    I’m really curious about the size – I have very small wrists and have been thinking about one of the smaller screens, like the 38. Do you have a favorite?

  24. Amanda says

    Does the 45mm look and feel noticeably bigger than the 44mm on your wrist? My husband has the 44mm and it’s just at the point where it’s big enough without being over the top on my wrist.

  25. Loren F says

    Thank you for the review. During reading I noticed the “ends and outs” comment and I couldn’t help but think of the chucked and chunked podcast…. I think it is “ins and outs” 🙂 but maybe I am wrong.

  26. Andrea says

    Great review – this one is stainless steel vs your old aliminum. Stainless has always come in gold that has looked like a true gold color, but it’s much pricier unforutnately. Apple has replaced the gold/rose gold aluminum with “starlight” in the series 7, which a champagney colour. A bit more gold and less pink, but also replaces silver and gold for a cross between the two. Love the true gold but can’t justify the cost of the stainless. It’s so gorgeous!