The SE is technically a brand-new design for Apple, however much like the iPhone SE, its not exactly new inside and out. Basically, its the same thing as a Series 4 from 2018, with simply two minor distinctions: the SE doesnt have the ability to measure your ECG, but does have an always-on altimeter.
Apples smartwatch lineup has gone from straightforward to surprisingly complex relatively overnight. Where we utilized to have this years model or in 2015s design at a lower rate to select from, now Apple is selling three unique Apple Watch models at varying cost tiers and with varying options.
In this piece Im reviewing the one in the middle: the brand-new, but not actually brand-new inside, Apple Watch SE. Beginning at $279 for a 40mm variation or $309 for the 44mm, its considerably less than the flagship Series 6 and not that a lot more expensive than the aging Series 3.
Verge Score
8.5 out of 10
For them, theyll be getting an excellent smartwatch at an appealing price.
For Apple, the SE makes a great deal of sense. The Series 3 has actually been hugely popular over the previous couple years solely due to the fact that of how low the rate drops during the holiday season (I had the ability to buy a Series 3 on sale for $199, the very same rate it costs now, 2 years ago) and its most likely that this year lots of will go with the SE, especially as it begins to see discount rates throughout the season.
The SE also lacks the Series 6s brand-new blood oxygen tracking, however as we learned when checking the Series 6, this isnt a feature you need to be interested in right now. Its not reliable adequate to be used for medical purposes and not practical enough for other uses.
For this review, Apple sent me a gray 44mm design with cellular connectivity– essentially the highest end SE setup you can buy at $359. Ive been checking it paired to an iPhone 11 without using the cellular choice, though, so my experience is comparable to what you d get from the base model.
Overall, if youre looking for your very first Apple Watch, the Watch SE is a very compelling alternative. Its more completely featured than the Series 3 and is likely to be supported with software application updates for a longer time, however can be found in at a way more available cost than the flagship Series 6. If you already have a Series 4 and even a Series 3, you will not discover much to validate an upgrade here, though, and will be better off taking a look at the Series 6 (or simply holding on to your existing watch a bit longer; there isnt much reason to upgrade an Apple Watch more frequently than every three to 5 years).
The SE does the smartwatch fundamentals about as well as anything you can get right now.
As expected, the SE performs identically to the Series 4 in battery, responsiveness, and speed life. Apples most current smartwatch software application, watchOS 7, flies on either model, whether thats for browsing the user interface, releasing apps, or utilizing voice commands with Siri.
If you opt for the SE, all of that suggests you arent providing up a good smartwatch experience. You do jeopardize on some ancillary functions, however for the core smartwatch things of getting notices, tracking your fitness, paying for things, and well, examining the time, the SE does an outstanding task, simply like any other Apple Watch.
The SE is just offered in dark gray, silver, or gold; no expensive blue or red choices here.
Fast efficiency
Great smartwatch software application
Dependable battery life
Compared to the Series 6 or last years Series 5, the main thing the SE does not have is an always-on screen, which allows you to see the time or your notices without having to tap the screen or lift your wrist up. For me, this is a must-have function– I believe a watch ought to always operate as a watch and tell me the time without any extra work. However its trivial for everybody, and it does take in more battery life.
Other differences come down to style and color options– the SE is readily available in two sizes, 3 different colors (dark gray, silver, or gold), and with or without cellular connection. It isnt readily available in the higher-end stainless steel or titanium finishes, and you cant get the new blue or red color options offered for the Series 6. Like other aluminum Apple Watch designs, the SE has Apples Ion-X glass instead of the sapphire used on the stainless and titanium watches. Ion-X glass is difficult, however its certainly more vulnerable to scratches and breaking– in fact, I dropped the SE about 4 feet onto a tile flooring during my evaluation duration and shattered the leading left corner of the screen.
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The other considerable note about the SE is its the most likely design to choose if you wish to benefit from Apples brand-new Family Setup feature. Ill be entering into much more depth on Family Setup in another piece, however its effectively Apples answer to the GPS tracking smartwatches for kids that Verizon, T-Mobile, and other providers sell. It requires a watch with cellular connectivity, and because the SE is the most affordable expense model Apple offers with that option, its the most proper one to offer to a kid.
Battery life is also reputable if not incredible– Im able to tackle a day-and-a-half between charges with the brightness set at medium. WatchOS 7s sleep tracking does make handling the battery more bothersome, however, and the SE doesnt have the Series 6s slightly much faster charging ability. It takes a solid two-plus hours to totally charge, and if Im wearing it while I sleep, that means I have to find time throughout the day to charge it up. As a result, I end up taking it off and dropping it on the charger several times a day– when Im in the shower, before I go to bed, and so on– to give it micro increases, which is way more bothersome than just charging overnight. Obviously, you can just charge it overnight if you do not care about the sleep tracking features, which are undoubtedly of limited energy anyways.
The SE does not have the Series 6s blood oxygen monitor or ECG reader, however it can determine heart rate and track physical fitness simply like any other Apple Watch.
No always-on display screen
No third-party watch faces
No ECG or blood oxygen monitoring
Photography by Dan Seifert/ The Verge
Overall, if youre going shopping for your very first Apple Watch, the Watch SE is a very engaging alternative.
The SE is technically a new design for Apple, but much like the iPhone SE, its not precisely new inside and out. Like other aluminum Apple Watch models, the SE has Apples Ion-X glass rather of the sapphire utilized on the stainless and titanium watches. The other considerable note about the SE is its the most likely design to choose if you want to take advantage of Apples brand-new Family Setup feature. It requires a watch with cellular connection, and given that the SE is the least expensive cost model Apple offers with that option, its the most appropriate one to offer to a young kid.
