Apple’s second-generation Apple Watch SE, refreshed in September 2022, remains the most affordable entry point into the Apple Watch ecosystem. While it lacks advanced health sensors like ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and temperature sensing, it retains essential functionality, making it a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers.
Key Features and Performance
The Apple Watch SE is powered by the S8 chip, the same processor found in the Apple Watch Series 8, ensuring smooth performance for daily tasks, fitness tracking, and notifications. Despite sharing hardware with premium models, the SE omits some health-focused sensors to maintain its lower price point.
- Available in 40mm and 44mm aluminum cases (Midnight, Starlight, Silver)
- Retina LTPO OLED display (1000 nits brightness) without Always-On functionality
- 50m water resistance, making it suitable for swimming
- Crash Detection and Fall Detection for emergency alerts
Health and Fitness Tracking
While the SE doesn’t support ECG or blood oxygen monitoring, it includes:
- Optical heart rate sensor
- Sleep tracking
- Step counting, calorie burn, and workout metrics
- Noise monitoring for hearing protection
Battery Life and Charging
The SE offers up to 18 hours of battery life, matching the Series 10, but lacks fast charging. Enabling Low Power Mode can extend usage to 36 hours by disabling background features.
Connectivity Options
- GPS-only and LTE + GPS models available
- Family Setup allows pairing multiple watches to one iPhone
- Emergency SOS with international support
Conclusion
The Apple Watch SE delivers essential smartwatch functionality at an accessible price, making it ideal for first-time buyers or those upgrading from older models. While it lacks premium health sensors, its performance, design, and key features make it a worthy contender in Apple’s wearable lineup. Sold at Apple Stores, authorized retailers, and refurbished markets. Discounts may be available through third-party sellers.
