Here's where you can pre-order the new Apple Watch Series 7

PREORDER: The new Apple Watch Series 7 starts at $399 for a 41mm model without cellular connectivity. As of Oct. 8, you could reserve one on Amazon or directly through the Apple Store ahead of its release on Oct. 15.

The next generation of smartwatches has (finally) arrived: After making its initial debut at last month's iPhone 13 event, the new Apple Watch Series 7 is officially up for preorder starting Oct. 8.

Head on over to Amazon or visit the Apple Store website to reserve one before its full-fledged launch on Friday, Oct. 15. Prices range from $399 for the WiFi-enabled base model with a 41mm band to $529 for the 45mm version with cellular connectivity, and you can take your pick from five new aluminum colors: midnight, starlight, green, blue, and (PRODUCT)RED. (Note that the Apple Store will give you $100 back if you snag one with GPS + Cellular and activate it on a T‑Mobile/Sprint or Verizon data plan.)

Rumor has it that the Series 7 will be in short supply once it hits stores for real, so if you don't feel like dealing with backorders and potential shipping delays, grabbing one ahead of time is an excellent call.

a man sitting in a deserted landscape looking at a white apple watch series 7 on his wrist

The Series 7 is available in five new colors: midnight, starlight (pictured), green, blue, and (PRODUCT)RED. Credit: Apple

The Series 7 has bragging rights to the largest Retina display of any Apple wearable ever made, offering almost 20% more screen area than 2020's Series 6. Tim Cook and company have upped its charging speed and durability, too, with an IP6X certification for resistance to dust and a WR50 water resistance rating. You should still leave it back on shore while scuba diving or water skiing, but it's now safe to wear during shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or ocean.

As far as health features go, the Series 7 brings increased workout support for both biking and e-biking as well an updated fall detection algorithm that's capable of recognizing mid-cycling spills.

Other than that, though, it's largely identical to its predecessor: The Series 7's processor has reportedly carried over from the previous generation, and there's zero mention of any new metrics or sensors on its spec sheet. Its battery life also holds out at a solid 18 hours per charge. (Anyone looking forward to a major redesign should probably wait for next year's Series 8, which is said to be getting a body temperature monitor.)