Samsung recently unveiled the Galaxy Watch 7, its latest flagship smartwatch. While the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Ring steal headlines, the standard Watch 7 remains the most accessible option.
It offers core Samsung features, in-depth health insights, and comfortable sizing. It’s unisex, user-friendly, and priced at a reasonable $299 (for the 40mm non-LTE version). That’s the same price as the out-going Galaxy Watch 6, which will inevitably see some juicy price cuts. See the latest deals below.
But how different is it from the Galaxy Watch 6? The answer: not much. Most of the new features will arrive via software updates for the Watch 6.
Design
These two devices are nearly identical. With the excitement surrounding the Watch Ultra, design changes for the Watch 7 are minimal.
It’s key to note that the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic – with the rotating bezel – stays on sale. So we’re talking about the standard, flat-screened Watch 6 design here (see below).
The Galaxy Watch 7 retains the same 40mm and 44mm case sizes with a slim, bezel-less design suitable for most wrists. Both boast 5ATM water resistance and IP68 dustproof ratings, making them pool-friendly and robust.
The displays remain unchanged as well: a vibrant 480 x 480 Super AMOLED on the 44mm model and 432 x 432 on the 40mm.
Performance Boost and AI
The most significant upgrade lies under the hood. The Watch 7 features the new Exynos W1000 processor, a five-core powerhouse compared to the Watch 6’s dual-core Exynos W930. Samsung promises a 3x performance jump, which should make things snappier and enable third party apps to load quicker.
And this boost also fuels the watch’s new feature: Galaxy AI.
The Watch 7 brings Galaxy AI features like personalized health insights and contextual auto-replies. However, the Galaxy Watch 6 will receive these updates as well.
One caveat: AI requires processing power, and the newer chipset future-proofs the Watch 7 for potential future improvements. It’s a gamble, but if you want your watch to last for years to come, the Watch 7 might be worth the upfront cost.
New AGE metric – but health tracking remains similar
The Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch 6 are pretty much neck-and-neck in terms of health features – with one major difference.
The Watch 7 introduces the Energy Score, which analyzes sleep, heart rate, and HRV data to provide a comprehensive picture of your well-being. Again, this feature is rolling out to the Watch 6 too.
Core health features like ECG, blood pressure monitoring, and body composition analysis carry over from the Watch 6. Like before, you will need a Samsung smartphone to access these features.
However, the Watch 7 boasts improved accuracy thanks upgraded BioActive sensors, which Samsung claims to be 30% more accurate.
And the Galaxy Watch 7 introduces a new metric: Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs).
AGE tracking monitors molecules formed by sugar and protein/fat reactions in the body. High AGE levels are linked to aging-related diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular issues. By measuring AGEs, the Watch 7 aims to offer insights into your overall metabolic health.
Same battery life, better GPS
The main fitness upgrade on the Watch 7 is multi-band GNSS, which should improve run tracking accuracy. Previous Watch 6 reviews noted some GPS distance tracking issues. This should be rectified on the Watch 7, making it the preferred choice for serious runners and cyclists.
Battery life seems identical across both generations. The 44mm Watch 7 and Watch 6 (above) pack a 425mAh battery, while the 40mm model has a 300mAh battery. Samsung hasn’t confirmed official figures, but expect similar battery performance from both watches.
Verdict
The Galaxy Watch 7 offers some minor improvements over the Watch 6, but for most users, the older model might be the more attractive option. You get the same design, display, and core functionalities, and the AI and Energy Score features are coming to the Watch 6 as well.
The new AGE tracking and potentially improved GPS accuracy are interesting additions on the Watch 7. But for anyone looking for a great smartwatch deal, the Galaxy Watch 6 remains a solid choice, especially considering it will receive most software updates.
