When Apple first revealed its latest smartwatch at an event last month, the company simply said it would be available “this fall.” Now we know that it will be available for preorder at 5 a.m. PT/8 a.m. ET on Friday, with watches being shipped out October 15. If you miss the boat on preordering, the company says the watch will be available at retail locations that same day. The Apple Watch Series 7 brings some new features to the table. They include a larger, more advanced always-on Retina display that extends nearly to the edge of the case. The bezels surrounding the display are just 1.7mm, and the always-on mode is 70% brighter than the Series 6. The Series 7 also boasts a more rounded design and IP6X certification for resistance to dust, in addition to maintaining a WR50 water-resistance rating. To complement this larger display, Apple also has created a number of new watch faces that make the most out of the improved screen real estate. A new modular watch face, for instance, lets you view activity ring details in addition to a bevy of other data metrics. As for internal components, the battery still lasts for 18 hours, but can reach a full charge 33% faster than the Series 6. The Series 7 also integrates fully with the recently released watchOS 8, which featured fitness-based improvements such as improved cycling support and fall detection support during workouts. The Apple Watch Series 7 starts at $399 USD and will be available in 41mm and 45mm sizes. It will be sold alongside the still-chugging Watch Series 3, which costs $199 USD.
