Apple Watch Series 7 to Come in 41mm and 45mm Case Sizes, Will Be Compatible With Older Bands - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Watch Series 7 to Come in 41mm and 45mm Case Sizes, Will Be Compatible With Older Bands

Apple hasn't released full details on the Apple Watch Series 7 as of yet because it's not set to launch until later this fall, but the new Apple Watch bands that came out today confirm that the Series 7 will be available in 41mm and 45mm sizes.

apple watch series 7
The 41mm Apple Watch Series 7 replaces the 40mm Apple Watch Series 6, while the 45mm Apple Watch Series 7 replaces the 44mm Apple Watch Series 6.

41 and 45mm size updates were rumored, as was the significant redesign for the display, but the design of the Apple Watch itself came as a surprise. Multiple rumors from Jon Prosser, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Bloomberg, and other sources suggested the Apple Watch Series 7 would see a flat-edged design similar to the iPhone 12 models, but that did not happen.

Instead, Apple highlighted the soft, rounded corners of the Apple Watch Series 7, which looks similar to the Apple Watch Series 6 but with a wraparound design that offers seamless integration with the body of the device.

The new Apple Watch models have an edge-to-edge display with super slim bezels, best illustrated in Apple's image comparison of the Series 7, Series 6, and Series 3.

apple watch series 7 display comparison
According to Apple, the Apple Watch Series 7 offers 20 percent more screen area than the Series 6 with a 40 percent reduction in border size.

Despite the increase in size to 41 and 45mm, the Apple Watch Series 7 is compatible with older Apple Watch bands. New 41mm Apple Watch bands are backwards compatible with the 38mm and 40mm models, so the reverse should be true as well, while the 45mm Apple Watch bands work with the 42mm and 44mm Apple Watch models.

Existing 38mm and 40mm bands should be compatible with the 41mm Apple Watch Series 7, and the 42mm and 44mm Apple Watch bands should be compatible with the 45mm Apple Watch.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

Popular Stories

Apple Watch Series 10 Jet Black Touch ID

Apple Watch Series 12 and watchOS 27: What to Expect Later This Year

Friday May 8, 2026 2:07 pm PDT by
While not too much has been reported about the next Apple Watch models, there are a few rumors about potential design changes and watchOS 27 features. Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 models are expected to be released in September, and we have outlined some of the key rumored hardware and software changes below. A new Apple Watch SE is not expected this year, as that model was...
Apple Watch Series 10 Jet Black Touch ID

Next Apple Watch Models Unlikely to Add Touch ID, Focus on Battery Life

Monday May 11, 2026 3:41 am PDT by
Apple is prioritizing larger batteries and more advanced health sensors over fingerprint authentication for the Apple Watch, according to a new claim from a prominent Chinese leaker. In a new Weibo post, Instant Digital pushed back on recent speculation about biometric recognition coming to Apple's wearable lineup, claiming instead that the company remains content to let users unlock their...
TMRS 194 Apple Chatbot Thumb

The MacRumors Show: Gemini Announcements and Apple Watch Series 12 Rumors

Friday May 15, 2026 7:30 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Google's latest wave of announcements for Android and Gemini, the newly announced Fitbit Air, and Apple Watch Series 12 rumors. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos The centerpiece of Google's announcements this week was Gemini Intelligence, Google's new umbrella platform for AI across phones, watches, cars,...

Top Rated Comments

ThE.MeSsEnGeR Avatar
62 months ago
What intrigues me is how with each iteration of devices (iPhone, iPad and Watch), the screen real estate gets slightly larger and larger, we notice the difference and move on. But a few years later, looking back at the original first gens, the screens look so outdated and clumsy.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jmpage2 Avatar
62 months ago
Ya know, my hair not really being blown back with this supposed "redesign".
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
62 months ago
Was expecting flat edged design. Very suprised that this did not come true. Support for existing watch bands is a great relief.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jmpage2 Avatar
62 months ago
Nearly every rumored enhancement to the Apple Watch has turned out to be false.

No flat edge case.
No longer battery life.
No lower profile digital crown.

Pretty much a nothing burger. I might still end up having to get one since the battery life on my Series 4 has gotten pretty bad.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johnl1275 Avatar
62 months ago

who thinks like me? iwatch 7 is actually a joke...
For one thing, it's not called an iwatch
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Techwatcher Avatar
62 months ago
Why is the Series 3 immortal
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)