Dexcom G7: What’s the Difference Between the Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7?

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*Disclaimer: All content and information in this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. This article was medically reviewed by Amanda Ciprich, MS, RD. Last updated on 3/15/24.

After much anticipation, the diabetes community celebrates the long-awaited release of the latest generation of continuous glucose monitoring. The Dexcom G7 has ignited excitement with its innovative features that mark a significant milestone in diabetes management. Keep reading to learn more about how the latest Dexcom differs from the previous generations.

Difference Between Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7

There are a few notable differences between the Dexcom G6 version and the newest Dexcom G7. Here’s a summary of key features that stuck out to us:

Sensor Life

The sensor life for the Dexcom G6 is 10 days. The Dexcom G7 has a sensor life of 10 days plus a 12 hour grace period to change the site.

Sensor & Transmitter Insertion

Currently, the Dexcom G6 requires insertion of both a sensor and transmitter. While the insertion tool has made major improvements compared to the previous generation, the G7 insertion includes both the sensor and transmitter integrated. Users no longer have to reorder a new transmitter battery every 3 months.

Accuracy

The MARD is based on the comparison between paired measurements of a given CGM system and comparison glucose measurement. In general, the lower the MARD score, the more accurate the CGM system will be. The Dexcom G6 scored a 9.0% while the Dexcom G7 scored a 8.2%, which is 0.8% lower. The Dexcom G7 will likely be the most accurate CGMs system once it is available.

Size

The Dexcom G7 is noticeably smaller than the Dexcom G6. The G7 is almost 60% smaller than the G6. The size difference can be helpful with site rotations especially with children who may have limited site options.

Warm Up Period

The Dexcom G6 has a 2-hour sensor warm up period while the Dexcom G7 will have a much quicker warm up period of only 30 minutes.

Integrations with Insulin Pumps

At the time of this article, both Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7 are compatible with the Tandem t:slim x2, Tandem Mobi, Omnipod 5, and iLet Beta Bionics. Users should be able to utilize the G7 with their automated insulin pump in spring/summer 2024.

Dexcom Applications

Right now, Dexcom requires the use of the Dexcom App for glucose readings and the Dexcom Clarity App in order to generate helpful blood glucose reports. With the Dexcom G7, there is a simplified integration between these two applications into one for a more user-friendly experience.