The Apple Watch Series 7 GPS 45mm in Midnight Aluminum with Midnight Sport Band delivers an impressive mix of style, performance, and durability. While Apple has been steadily improving its smartwatches over the years, the Series 7 marks a significant leap with its larger, more immersive display, faster charging, and enhanced durability. Whether you’re upgrading from an older model or diving into the Apple Watch world for the first time, the Series 7 offers an excellent all-around experience.
Here’s an in-depth look at the Apple Watch Series 7 GPS, 45mm Midnight Aluminum model and why it stands out.
Design and Build Quality
The first thing you’ll notice about the Apple Watch Series 7 is its larger display. The 45mm version, with its 1.9-inch Retina display, has more screen real estate than previous models, thanks to thinner borders and a more expansive curved design. This makes it much easier to read notifications, interact with apps, and navigate through menus. The new Always-On Retina Display is also brighter indoors, meaning you don’t have to raise your wrist as often to check the time or glance at information.
The Midnight Aluminum Case is sleek and durable, offering a matte finish that resists fingerprints and scratches. Midnight is a new color option introduced with the Series 7, providing a deep, almost black look with a subtle hint of dark blue under certain lighting, making it a sophisticated and versatile color choice.
The Midnight Sport Band complements the case perfectly. Made from high-performance fluoroelastomer, it’s soft, lightweight, and comfortable, making it perfect for workouts and daily wear. The pin-and-tuck closure is simple and secure, ensuring a snug fit during exercise or everyday activities.
Design Highlights:
- 45mm larger display: More screen space with thinner bezels for easier interaction.
- Midnight Aluminum finish: Stylish, durable, and resistant to fingerprints.
- Midnight Sport Band: Comfortable, soft, and ideal for fitness enthusiasts and casual users alike.
Display: Bigger, Brighter, and Always On
The Apple Watch Series 7 features the largest display ever on an Apple Watch, with a 20% increase in screen area compared to the Series 6. The bigger screen is not just about size, though—it’s about usability. Apple has optimized the interface to make use of the additional space, so you get larger buttons, more text, and a more comfortable experience when using apps, typing messages, or scrolling through notifications.
The Always-On Retina display is now 70% brighter indoors when your wrist is down, so it’s easier to glance at without having to tap the screen or raise your wrist. This brightness boost makes checking the time or your notifications more convenient, especially in low-light environments.
Display Highlights:
- Largest Apple Watch display yet: 20% more screen area than Series 6.
- Always-On Retina Display: Brighter indoors, making it easier to see the time and notifications without raising your wrist.
Durability: Built to Last
Apple has made the Series 7 the most durable Apple Watch ever, with crack-resistant glass, IP6X dust resistance, and WR50 water resistance. Whether you’re working out, swimming, or spending time outdoors, the Series 7 is designed to handle the elements. The crack-resistant front crystal makes it more resilient during impacts, while the IP6X certification ensures it can withstand exposure to dust and sand.
The WR50 water resistance means the watch is swim-proof and can be worn during water activities like swimming, showering, or even shallow diving. It’s durable enough for both indoor and outdoor adventures, providing peace of mind for active users.
Durability Highlights:
- Crack-resistant glass: More durable, making it resistant to impacts and drops.
- IP6X dust resistance: Protected against dust and sand, ideal for outdoor environments.
- WR50 water resistance: Swim-proof and perfect for water activities.
Fitness and Health Features: Comprehensive Tracking
As expected from an Apple Watch, the Series 7 offers comprehensive fitness and health tracking. It includes all the standard features like heart rate monitoring, ECG, Blood Oxygen (SpO2) measurements, and sleep tracking, making it a complete health companion.
The Series 7 supports over 20 different workout types, from running and swimming to yoga and strength training. The Activity Rings still serve as a motivating tool to keep you moving throughout the day, and the built-in Fitness+ integration allows you to access guided workouts, whether you’re at home or in the gym.
The Blood Oxygen sensor helps monitor your overall health, while the ECG app can track your heart rhythm and provide insights into potential irregularities. Apple has also improved sleep tracking in the Series 7, giving users more detailed data on their sleep quality, helping you build better sleep habits.
Fitness and Health Highlights:
- ECG, Blood Oxygen, and heart rate monitoring: Advanced health metrics for monitoring wellness.
- Comprehensive workout tracking: Over 20 workout types, including outdoor and indoor activities.
- Fitness+ integration: Access guided workouts right from your watch.
Battery Life and Charging: Faster Than Ever
The Apple Watch Series 7 offers up to 18 hours of battery life, which is in line with previous models. While this may not be groundbreaking, the Series 7’s battery life is more than sufficient for all-day use, including workouts, notifications, and sleep tracking.
However, where the Series 7 excels is in its faster charging capability. Apple claims that the Series 7 charges 33% faster than the Series 6, allowing you to get a full charge in about 45 minutes. This means you can quickly top up the battery before heading out for the day or while getting ready for bed. Just 8 minutes of charging gives you enough power for 8 hours of sleep tracking, making it much more convenient for users who rely on the watch 24/7.
Battery and Charging Highlights:
- 18-hour battery life: Enough to last through a full day of use, including workouts and sleep tracking.
- 33% faster charging: Quick top-ups with just 45 minutes for a full charge.
- 8 minutes of charging: Provides enough power for 8 hours of sleep tracking.
Software: Powered by watchOS 8
The Apple Watch Series 7 runs on watchOS 8, which introduces new features to enhance your experience. Mindfulness and Reflect apps help you manage stress, while Focus Mode ensures you stay on task during work or other activities. The new full QWERTY keyboard takes full advantage of the larger display, allowing you to type messages directly from your wrist, whether by tapping or swiping.
watchOS 8 also brings enhancements to the Wallet app, letting you store and use digital keys, like hotel room keys or car keys, directly from your Apple Watch. It continues to support Apple Pay for contactless payments, which is convenient for daily purchases.
Software Highlights:
- watchOS 8: New features like Mindfulness, Reflect, and Focus Mode.
- Full QWERTY keyboard: Type messages directly from your wrist using the larger screen.
- Apple Pay and Wallet: Convenient contactless payments and digital keys.
Price and Value in Australia
In Australia, the Apple Watch Series 7 GPS 45mm in Midnight Aluminum with the Midnight Sport Band is priced at around AU$799. While it’s a premium price point, the Series 7 offers substantial upgrades in durability, display size, and charging speed, making it a great value for anyone looking for a high-performance smartwatch that blends fitness, health, and everyday functionality.
Price Highlights:
- AU$799 price point**: A premium price, but justified by its advanced features and durability.
- Great value: For users who want the best Apple Watch experience with the latest tech.
Final Thoughts
The Apple Watch Series 7 GPS 45mm in Midnight Aluminum with the Midnight Sport Band is a stellar smartwatch that offers a fantastic blend of performance, durability, and style. With its larger display, faster charging, and enhanced durability, it’s an excellent choice for both fitness enthusiasts and everyday users.
If you’re looking for a premium smartwatch that not only tracks your fitness but also enhances your daily productivity, the Series 7 is one of the best on the market. The sleek Midnight Aluminum finish and Midnight Sport Band provide a modern, stylish look while offering comfort and practicality. Whether you’re upgrading from a previous model or purchasing your first Apple Watch, the Series 7 is a worthwhile investment.