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Apple Watch Series 4 vs Series 7 – Which Should You Buy?

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Apple Watch Series 7 & Series 4 have some important differences, both models are popular for their health tracking, smart features, and daily utility. The Apple Watch Series 7 is a newer, more advanced model with a larger screen, faster charging, and enhanced health features. The Series 4 is more affordable and still provides core fitness tracking. Let’s explore their differences and similarities to find your perfect fit!

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Processor:

  • Apple Watch Series 7 features the S7 SiP with a 64-bit dual-core processor that improves performance and system responsiveness.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 uses the older S4 chip, which is slower and lacks support for modern features.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 7

 

Display:

  • Apple Watch Series 7 includes an Always-On Retina LTPO OLED 1.9 inch display that maintains high visibility in all lighting conditions.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 has a standard 1.7 inch Retina OLED display.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 7

 

Brightness:

  • Apple Watch Series 7 supports up to 1000 nits of brightness that improves visibility in direct sunlight.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 reaches up to 1000 nits.
Winner:

Tie

 

Operating System:

  • Apple Watch Series 7 supports watchOS 10 and future updates that ensure long-term software compatibility.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 comes with watchOS 5.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 7

 

Voice Assistant:

  • Apple Watch Series 7 supports on-device Siri that processes commands quickly without internet connection.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 requires an internet connection for Siri to function.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 7

 

Connectivity:

  • Apple Watch Series 7 supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands to improve wireless performance.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 7

 

Health Features:

  • Apple Watch Series 7 includes advanced fitness tracking with ECG & Blood Oxygen that provide deeper health insights.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 provides basic activity and heart rate tracking.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 7

 

Speaker & Microphone:

  • Apple Watch Series 7 includes enhanced microphone and speaker that improve call and Siri clarity.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 has a basic microphone and speaker setup.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 7

 

Internal Storage:

  • Apple Watch Series 7 includes 32GB of internal storage that enables music downloads, app installs, and podcasts without your phone.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 comes with 16GB of storage.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 7

 

Charging Speed:
  • Apple Watch Series 7 supports fast charging that reduces downtime by reaching 80% in about 45 minutes.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 does not support fast charging and takes longer to charge fully.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 7

 

Battery Life:
  • Apple Watch Series 7 offers 18-hour battery life that supports all-day use with advanced features enabled.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 comes with up to 16 hours of battery life.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 7

 

Resolution:
  • Apple Watch Series 7 includes a 396 x 484 resolution that delivers sharper text and app visuals.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 has a resolution of 368 x 448 pixels.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 7
Check Apple Watch Series 7 Best Price
Check Apple Watch Series 4 Best Price

Specs at a Glance

Feature Apple Watch Series 7 Apple Watch Series 4
Case Material Graphite Stainless Steel Space Black Stainless Steel
Display Type Always-On Retina LTPO OLED Retina LTPO OLED
Display Size 1.9 inches 1.78 inches
Display Brightness Up to 1000 nits (Always-On) Up to 1000 nits
Processor S7 SiP dual-core S4 SiP dual-core
Internal Storage 32GB 16GB
Battery Life Up to 18 hours Up to 16 hours
Fast Charging Yes No
Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 5.0
Wi-Fi Support 2.4GHz and 5GHz 2.4GHz only
ECG App Yes Yes
Blood Oxygen App Yes No
On-device Siri Yes No

 

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Apple Watch Series 7 if you:

  • Want a larger and always-on display that is easier to read at a glance
  • Need fast charging for quick top-ups during the day
  • Prefer double the storage space for apps, music, and podcasts
  • Want newer health features like the Blood Oxygen app
  • Appreciate the latest Wi-Fi tech and better durability with a crack-resistant front

Check Apple Watch Series 7 Best Price

Buy the Apple Watch Series 4 if you:

  • Want a stainless steel Apple Watch at a lower price point
  • Don’t need Blood Oxygen or fast charging features
  • Prefer a more classic design with the Milanese Loop band
  • Plan to use only basic fitness tracking and messaging
  • Can live with slower charging and smaller storage capacity

Check Apple Watch Series 4 Best Price

Winner by Category

Category Winner
Processor Apple Watch Series 7
Display Apple Watch Series 7
Display Size Apple Watch Series 7
Higher Resolution Apple Watch Series 7
Display Brightness Tie
Dual Speaker System Apple Watch Series 7
Internal Storage Apple Watch Series 7
Battery Life Apple Watch Series 7
Fast Charging Apple Watch Series 7
WiFi Apple Watch Series 7
Health Sensor Apple Watch Series 7
On-device Siri Apple Watch Series 7

FAQ

Is the Apple Watch Series 7 significantly faster than the Series 4?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 7 has a newer S7 chip that offers faster performance and smoother animations than the S4 chip in the Series 4, making it more efficient for multitasking and app usage.

Does the Apple Watch Series 7 support Always-On Display?
Yes, the Series 7 supports Always-On Retina Display, allowing users to check the time and notifications without raising their wrist, which is not available on the Series 4.

Can both watches take an ECG?
Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 4 include an ECG app that allows users to take electrocardiogram readings directly from the wrist.

Which watch has better health monitoring features?
The Apple Watch Series 7 includes both ECG and Blood Oxygen sensors, while the Series 4 only has the ECG feature, making the Series 7 better for comprehensive health tracking.

Is the Apple Watch Series 4 still supported with software updates?
The Apple Watch Series 4 supports up to watchOS 10 but may not receive future updates, whereas the Series 7 is newer and will continue to receive updates for a longer period.

Do both watches support cellular connectivity?
Yes, both models compared here are GPS + Cellular versions, meaning they support phone-free calls, texts, and data usage with an active carrier plan.

Is there a difference in water resistance between the two?
No, both the Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 4 are rated WR50, meaning they are water resistant up to 50 meters and suitable for swimming and shallow water activities.

Does the Apple Watch Series 7 charge faster than the Series 4?
Yes, the Series 7 supports fast charging and can reach 80 percent in about 45 minutes, while the Series 4 charges at a slower, standard rate.

How much storage do the two watches have?
The Apple Watch Series 7 has 32GB of internal storage, which allows for more apps, music, and podcasts, whereas the Series 4 has 16GB.

Is the Series 7 display larger than the Series 4?
Yes, the Series 7 has a 1.9-inch display with thinner bezels, offering more usable screen area than the 1.78-inch display on the Series 4.

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