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Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 5 are two of Apple’s top smartwatches. Apple Watch Series 7 comes with premium capabilities like an Always-On Retina display, blood oxygen monitoring, stainless steel case, and ECG. While Series 5 remains a capable and stylish option with core Apple Watch features at a lower price. Let’s explore their differences and similarities to find your perfect fit!
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Processor:- Apple Watch Series 7 has the S7 Chip for faster performance and better battery efficiency.
- Apple Watch Series 5 runs on the older S5 chip.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 7 |
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Display Size:- Apple Watch Series 7 features a larger 1.9-inch display with thinner bezels to provide more space for complications, text, and animations.
- Apple Watch Series 5 has a 1.7-inch display.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 7 |
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Higher Resolution:- Apple Watch Series 7 delivers 396 x 484 resolution for sharper display with increased pixel density, text and graphics.
- Apple Watch Series 5 has lower 324 x 394 resolution.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 7 |
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Blood Oxygen App:- Apple Watch Series 7 includes a Blood Oxygen app for tracking oxygen saturation levels.
- Apple Watch Series 5 does not include a Blood Oxygen app.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 7 |
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Speaker:- Apple Watch Series 7 has a louder speaker for better call and Siri interactions to ensure clearer communication.
- Apple Watch Series 5 has standard speaker.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 7 |
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Optical Heart Sensor:- The Apple Watch 7 includes a third-generation optical heart sensor that delivers more accurate heart rate monitoring during workouts and rest.
- Apple Watch Series 5 uses a 2nd-gen heart sensor.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 7 |
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Fast Charging:- The Apple Watch 7 support fast charging that reduces downtime and gets your watch ready quickly when you’re in a rush.
- Apple Watch Series 5 does not support fast charging.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 7 |
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On-Device Siri:- Apple Watch Series 7 supports on-device Siri that allows to process commands and access health data directly on the watch without internet connection.
- Apple Watch Series 5 requires an internet connection for Siri processing.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 7 |
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Ultra Wideband Chip:- Apple Watch Series 7 features the second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip for improving Precision Finding and device integration.
- Apple Watch Series 5 lacks UWB chip.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 7 |
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Durability :- Apple Watch 7 comes with a crack-resistant front crystal that adds durability to the screen to reduce damage from daily wear.
- Apple Watch Series 5 uses Ion-X glass.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 7 |
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Dual Band Wi-Fi:- Apple Watch Series 7 supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi for more reliable connectivity.
- Apple Watch Series 5 supports only 2.4GHz Wi-Fi.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 7 |
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Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 7 | Apple Watch Series 5 |
|---|
| Release Year | 2021 | 2019 |
| Display Type | Always-On Retina with thinner borders | Always-On Retina |
| Display Size | Larger (396 x 484 pixels) | Smaller (368 x 448 pixels) |
| Processor | S7 SiP (20% faster) | S5 SiP |
| Charging | 33% faster charging | Standard |
| Crystal Durability | Crack-resistant front crystal | Ion-X glass |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Blood Oxygen Sensor | Yes | No |
| ECG App | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Heart Sensor | 3rd-gen | 2nd-gen |
| Microphone | Improved | Standard |
| Speaker | Louder speaker | Standard |
| Internal Storage | 32GB | 32GB |
| U1 Chip | Yes (Ultra Wideband) | No |
| Siri | On-device Siri support | Requires internet |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Water Resistance | WR50 + IP6X dust resistance | WR50 |
| Keyboard | Full QWERTY keyboard | No |
| OS Compatibility | watchOS 8 (native) | watchOS 6 (upgradable) |
| UI Optimization | Optimized for larger display | Standard UI |
Who Should Buy What?Buy the Apple Watch Series 7 if you:- Want a larger, edge-to-edge display for easier navigation and reading.
- Need fast charging to top up quickly during your day.
- Care about durability with crack-resistant and dustproof protection.
- Prefer modern features like a full keyboard and on-device Siri.
- Value health tools like blood oxygen tracking and better heart monitoring.
Check Apple Watch 7 Best Price Buy the Apple Watch Series 5 if you:- Want a more affordable Apple Watch with core smart features.
- Do not need the latest sensors like blood oxygen or Ultra Wideband.
- Are upgrading from an older Series 3 or 4.
- Prefer a slightly smaller watch face with the classic design.
- Use your Apple Watch mainly for notifications, activity, and timekeeping.
Check Apple Watch 5 Best Price |
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|
| Processor | Apple Watch Series 7 |
| Always-On Display | Apple Watch Series 7 |
| Display Size | Apple Watch Series 7 |
| Fast Charging | Apple Watch Series 7 |
| Crack Resistance | Apple Watch Series 7 |
| Ultra Wideband | Apple Watch Series 7 |
| On-Device Siri | Apple Watch Series 7 |
| Speaker | Apple Watch Series 7 |
| Keyboard | Apple Watch Series 7 |
| Optimized UI | Apple Watch Series 7 |
| Blood Oxygen Sensor | Apple Watch Series 7 |
| watchOS 8 | Apple Watch Series 7 |
| Durability | Apple Watch Series 7 |
What They Have in Common
- Always-On Retina Display: Both watches feature an always-on display, allowing you to glance at the time and information without raising your wrist.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: Each model includes an optical heart rate sensor, giving users continuous heart-rate tracking for workouts and overall wellness.
- ECG App: Both support an ECG app that lets you take an electrocardiogram from your wrist to monitor heart rhythm irregularities.
- Fall Detection: Each watch can detect hard falls and alert emergency services, providing extra peace of mind for active users.
- Water Resistance: Both are water-resistant up to 50 meters, making them safe for swimming and showering without worry.
FAQ (Quick Answers)
Does the Apple Watch Series 7 have a bigger display than the Series 5?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 7 has a slightly larger 45mm case with a display that pushes closer to the edges, providing more screen area than the 44mm case of the Series 5.
Is the Apple Watch Series 7 faster than the Series 5?
Yes, the Series 7 uses the S7 chip, which is up to 20% faster than the S5 chip in the Series 5, resulting in smoother performance and quicker app launches.
Can both watches track blood oxygen levels?
No, only the Apple Watch Series 7 includes a blood oxygen sensor. The Series 5 does not have this health tracking feature.
Do both models have the Always-On Retina Display?
Yes, both the Series 5 and Series 7 feature Always-On Retina displays, but the Series 7 improves upon it with a larger screen and thinner bezels.
Which Apple Watch charges faster?
The Apple Watch Series 7 supports fast charging and charges 33% quicker than the Series 5, which only supports standard charging speeds.
Are both watches water resistant?
Yes, both models are water resistant up to 50 meters, but only the Series 7 adds IP6X dust resistance, making it more durable in outdoor or dusty environments.
Do either of the models have a full QWERTY keyboard?
Only the Apple Watch Series 7 supports a full QWERTY keyboard for easier texting, which is not available on the Series 5.
Is there a difference in storage capacity?
No, both the Apple Watch Series 5 and Series 7 come with 32GB of internal storage for apps, music, and other data.
Does the Series 7 support on-device Siri?
Yes, the Series 7 supports on-device Siri for faster responses and privacy. The Series 5 requires an internet connection to process Siri commands.
Which watch is better for future software updates?
The Apple Watch Series 7 is newer and will likely receive more years of watchOS updates compared to the Series 5, which may stop getting new features sooner.