iFixit takes apart the Apple Watch Series 7 [video]
The Apple Watch Series 7 was announced in September, but didn't arrive in stores until earlier this month. Now the website iFixit has finally shared a traditional breakdown showing off the new Apple Watch inside. This time, the repair company invited former Apple engineers to help them through the process. The Apple Watch Series 7 disassembly was done by Instrumental, a company created by former Apple engineers - and most of them worked on early Apple Watch models.
As usual, the display is glued to the Apple Watch case, so it had to be heated to 80°C to soften the adhesive. If you look inside, most of the components are in the same places as before and are similar in size.
Despite the slightly increased batteries, iFixit notes that the increase in battery life is almost nil, as the Apple Watch Series 7 has a brighter display that consumes more power. Exact battery specifications:
- 40mm S6: 1,024Wh
- 41mm S7: 1,094Wh (up 6.8%)
- 44mm S6: 1,170Wh
- 45mm S7: 1,189Wh (up 1.6%)
The biggest change to the Apple Watch Series 7 is the display, which has increased in size thanks to a smaller bezel. iFixit claims that the new display looks "less complicated" at first glance. That's because Apple now uses an OLED panel integrated into the touchpad to reduce thickness.
The Apple Watch is IP6X certified for the first time this year, which means it's dustproof. iFixit notes that the removal of the diagnostic port and a new speaker module with a redesigned grille helped Apple achieve this certification. The watch also uses the new S7 SoC, which, however, retains the same processor as the Apple Watch Series 6.
The final iFixit score for the Apple Watch Series 7's repairability is 6 out of 10, as the Apple Watch is not easy to take apart.