Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 vs. Galaxy Watch 6: Biggest Expected Changes
Introduction
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is shaping up to be a major release rather than just an iterative update. While the Galaxy Watch 6 has been a fantastic wearable and one of the best smartwatches for Android users in 2024, there’s always room for improvement. In this article, we’ll explore the biggest expected changes in the Galaxy Watch 7 and what sets it apart from its predecessor.
Design and Build Quality
Familiar Yet Refined Design
The Galaxy Watch 7 is expected to maintain a design similar to the Galaxy Watch 6, but with subtle refinements. Samsung’s focus appears to be on enhancing the internal hardware and software rather than making drastic design changes.
Performance and Hardware
Faster Performance with Exynos W1000
One of the most significant changes in the Galaxy Watch 7 is the inclusion of the new Exynos W1000 processor. Built on a 3nm node process, this chipset delivers up to three times faster CPU performance compared to the previous generation, according to Samsung. The Exynos W1000 is a penta-core chipset with one high-performance Cortex-A78 CPU core and four Cortex-A55 CPU cores.
Enhanced RAM and Storage
The new smartwatch also packs an additional half-gig of RAM and 32GB of storage, roughly double that of the Galaxy Watch 6. This means you can expect a noticeable performance boost on the Galaxy Watch 7, along with longer software support.
Battery Life
Improved Power Efficiency
Middling battery life has been a common complaint among Galaxy Watch users. Both the Galaxy Watch 5 and 6 max out at 40 hours of juice on a good day. The Galaxy Watch 7 is expected to feature an updated chipset that could make it 50% more efficient in power management, potentially addressing this issue.
Operating System
Wear OS 5 Out of the Box
The Galaxy Watch 7 will run on Google’s latest Wear OS 5 right out of the box. This OS includes many under-the-hood improvements, such as enhanced battery life and performance, and better health tracking. The Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra are currently the only smartwatches to run on Wear OS 5, setting them apart from other devices on the market.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Improved BioActive Sensor
The Galaxy Watch 7 takes health tracking to the next level with an improved BioActive sensor. This sensor includes more LEDs for even more accurate health metric readings and better accuracy across multiple health parameters. In addition to providing metrics like body composition, stress levels, ECG, blood pressure monitoring, and sleep apnea, the Galaxy Watch 7 will also introduce the AGEs Index. This feature helps users track their body’s biological aging process and provides an indication of their metabolic health.
GPS and Location Tracking
More Accurate GPS System
Samsung has upgraded to a dual-frequency GPS system for the Galaxy Watch 7, which allows for more precise location tracking, especially in challenging areas. This means the Galaxy Watch 7 will be able to pinpoint a user’s location more quickly and accurately than the Galaxy Watch 6.
User Interaction
New Control Gestures
The Galaxy Watch 7 introduces a new double-pinch gesture for controlling on-screen elements, similar to the Apple Watch. This feature, which needs to be enabled through the Galaxy Wearable app, allows users to interact with their watch even when their hands are full. The double-pinch functionality will only work when the watch is paired with a Galaxy smartphone running One UI 6.1.1 or newer.
Conclusion
A Bigger Upgrade Than Expected
All things considered, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is a bigger upgrade than expected. While it may look similar to the previous generation, Samsung has made numerous improvements on the specs side that will deliver faster performance and better health-tracking capabilities. With enhancements in battery life, a more accurate GPS system, and new control gestures, the Galaxy Watch 7 is set to be one of the best smartwatches on the market.
NETWORK
Technology
BODY
Dimensions 44.4 x 44.4 x 9.7 mm (1.75 x 1.75 x 0.38 in)
Weight 33.8 g (1.16 oz)
Build Glass front (Sapphire crystal), aluminum frame
SIM eSIM
MIL-STD-810H compliant*
50m/5ATM water resistant (IP68)
Compatible with standard 20mm straps
ECG certified
Blood pressure monitor
Armor aluminum 2 frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions
DISPLAY
Type Super AMOLED
Size 1.5 inches
Resolution 480 x 480 pixels (~327 ppi density)
Protection Sapphire crystal
Always-on display
PLATFORM
OS Android Wear OS 5, One UI Watch 6
Chipset Exynos W1000 (3 nm)
CPU Penta-core
GPU Mali-G68
MEMORY
Card slot No
Internal 32GB 2GB RAM
CAMERA
No
SOUND
Loudspeaker Yes
3.5mm jack No
COMMS
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE
Positioning GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
NFC Yes
Radio No
USB No
FEATURES
Sensors Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, altimeter, compass, SpO2, temperature (skin), BioActive
BATTERY
Type Li-Ion 425 mAh, non-removable
Charging 10W wireless (Qi)
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
