3 Apple Watch 7 leaks you need to know about

Apple Watch 6
(Image credit: Future)

We have some big expectations for Apple’s next wearable, the Apple Watch 7 – and there are a few rumors we’ve heard that have us pretty excited.

The Apple Watch 6 launched in September 2020 as an incremental upgrade on its predecessor, and the Apple Watch 5 only added a few, albeit important things like an always-on display on top of the Apple Watch 4

In other words, we wouldn’t be surprised if there were only a few new things coming to the Apple Watch 7. 

But so far, we’ve seen a few interesting rumors that give us a bit of an idea what exciting changes could be coming in Apple’s next wearable – here’s what we’ve heard.

Renders of the Apple Watch Series 7

(Image credit: Jon Prosser)

Squared-off sides?

Yes, the upcoming Apple Watch 7 could have squared-off sides much like the iPhone 12, if these unofficial renders are to be believed. They’re supposedly based on leaked photos of the actual smartwatch, so gauge your skepticism accordingly. 

Otherwise, the watch seems to look identical to its predecessors, including the crown and app catalogue buttons on the right side. 

There’s nothing to suggest any functionality will change, nor any hint at additional sensors or other potential hardware improvements. But still, it would be huge news if true, as the biggest design shift since the first Apple Watch was released.

Mother's Day gifts: Apple Watch 6

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

A rugged version?

Aside from square sides, there could be other design shifts to come in the Apple Watch 7. Noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted ‘significant form factor design change’ a couple times (via research notes seen by MacRumors and 9to5Mac).

That could come in the form of a more rugged version of the Apple Watch, which could endure more extreme environments than the stock model. Could this be a distinct version of the Apple Watch 7? 

A rumor says that such a wearable is in development, but we’ll believe it when we see it – the company hasn’t really been in the business of releasing rugged alternatives to its exquisitely-designed products.

WWDC 2021 screenshot

(Image credit: Apple)

Blood sugar tracker?

To be clear, there are several health features that are rumored to come in the Apple Watch 7, but tracking blood sugar – which one report claims could come to many smartwatches in 2021, including Apple’s next  – would be the most exciting. 

How the Apple Watch 7 would do so is unclear, given how most glucose monitors directly access the blood (often via needle) – which isn’t really something we could see Apple implementing. 

Regardless, blood sugar tracking could be very helpful for diabetics and other folks who need to pay attention to their glucose, and expand on the ECG and blood oxygen measurements introduced in the Apple Watch 5 and 6, respectively. 

While this feature may not arrive until the Apple Watch 8 in 2022, according to another report, it would be very exciting to see in the Apple Watch 7 coming later this year.

TOPICS
David Lumb

David is now a mobile reporter at Cnet. Formerly Mobile Editor, US for TechRadar, he covered phones, tablets, and wearables. He still thinks the iPhone 4 is the best-looking smartphone ever made. He's most interested in technology, gaming and culture – and where they overlap and change our lives. His current beat explores how our on-the-go existence is affected by new gadgets, carrier coverage expansions, and corporate strategy shifts.

Read more
Apple Watch Series 10 42mm vs 46mm side by side
Apple Watch Series 11: Everything we know so far
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 front
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: latest rumors, updates, and what we want to see
An Apple Watch Ultra 2 on an orange background
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Everything we know so far
Apple Watch Ultra 2 displaying a step count and distance
Apple Watch Ultra 3 could bring a massive health upgrade
Apple watch pair with iphone
The Apple Watch SE 3 is apparently in 'serious jeopardy', and the news isn't much better for the Ultra 3 or Series 11
Apple Watch SE 2
Apple Watch SE 3: Everything we know so far
Latest in Smartwatches
Apple Watch Series 9 with Snoopy
Please, Apple, don't add a camera to the Apple Watch – it's not the change we're hoping for
Apple Watch Ultra 2 timer
The Apple Watch is getting a sleep alarm upgrade it probably should have had 10 years ago
Google Pixel Watch 3
Google Pixel Watches hit with delayed notifications, crashing, and performance issues following Wear OS 5.1 update
Apple Watch Ultra 2 move data
Apple is reportedly planning a huge future Apple Watch upgrade to turn it into an AI device with onboard cameras
Apple watch pair with iphone
The Apple Watch SE 3 is apparently in 'serious jeopardy', and the news isn't much better for the Ultra 3 or Series 11
Oppo Watch Mini X2 teaser
Oppo Watch X2 Mini teaser could be our first glimpse of the smaller OnePlus Watch 3
Latest in News
Open AI
OpenAI unveiled image generation for 4o – here's everything you need to know about the ChatGPT upgrade
Apple WWDC 2025 announced
Apple just announced WWDC 2025 starts on June 9, and we'll all be watching the opening event
Hornet swings their weapon in mid air
Hollow Knight: Silksong gets new Steam metadata changes, convincing everyone and their mother that the game is finally releasing this year
OpenAI logo
OpenAI just launched a free ChatGPT bible that will help you master the AI chatbot and Sora
NetSuite EVP Evan Goldberg at SuiteConnect London 2025
"It's our job to deliver constant innovation” - NetSuite head on why it wants to be the operating system for your whole business
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 1 launches in early April, adding new monsters and some of the best-looking armor sets I need to add to my collection