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There aren’t any big new features here. The only one that stands out is car crash detection, which is nice, but we don’t think many people will pay $250/£250 just for that. If you’re trying to decide between the Apple Watch SE 2 and the Apple Watch Series 8, it depends on what features you want and how much you’re willing to pay for them.
The idea behind the Apple Watch SE 2 seems to be that the first Apple Watch SE wasn’t broken, so it didn’t need to be fixed. Instead, Apple just made it look better by making it even lighter, adding a new processor to make it ready for the future, giving it new colours, and giving it a small price cut. If you want to know if you should buy the Apple Watch SE 2 instead of the original Apple Watch SE, the answer is no.
The Series 8 has a screen that stays on all the time, which we think is a good upgrade. It also has an ECG, a pulse oxygen sensor, and a temperature sensor that are meant to help women keep track of their reproductive health. If you don’t care about any of the health sensors, the Series 8 is a lot more expensive for not much of a difference. Because the Apple Watch SE 2 does a great job with the overall experience.
This is a full-size Apple Watch, and there’s no need to wonder what’s missing from the more expensive model. You can see what was left out above. You don’t get an older processor, which means you don’t have to worry about speed, and there are no software limits. The screen is a little bit smaller than the one on the Watch Series 8, and the bezel is a little bit thicker.
Apple Watch SE 2 Specifications
| Display | 368 x 448 pixels (44mm),324 x 394 pixels (40mm) |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Software | watchOS 9 |
Apple Watch SE 2 review: Design
The Apple Watch SE 2 (also called the 2nd generation) is made of aluminium and has the same size and shape as the Apple Watch SE from the first generation, as well as the Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5, and Series 6.
It comes in Midnight, Starlight, or Silver, and the screen is covered with Apple’s tough Ion-X glass. You can choose between a 40mm or 44mm case, and the Silver 44mm version is what you see in our pictures.
When compared to the old model, the back is where things have changed. On the SE 2, the case back is made of a nylon composite in the same colour as the aluminium case. This sounds like a fancy way of saying it’s made of plastic, but it’s warmer and smoother to the touch than regular plastic, which is important when it’s against your skin. You can buy this smartwatch from its official website.
Apple Watch SE 2 review: Features
The Series 8 is more expensive than the SE 2, but it’s worth it because of the ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and always-on screen. But ask yourself if you can explain why you need those things. The ECG could save the life of some people, while the blood oxygen monitor is only useful if you want to keep track of your sleep. However, many people will never use either of them.
Don’t think that the Apple Watch SE 2 is too simple because it lacks some features. A big part of its appeal is how simple it is and how much goes on in the background. If you’ve looked hard and can’t see how the extra Series 8 features would fit into your life, save your money and buy the Apple Watch SE 2.
Apple Watch SE 2 review: Fitness and health
Always-on displays offer plenty of benefits, especially when using an Apple Watch for fitness tracking, and Apple should make it standard. For example, if you’re in the middle of a workout and want to quickly check your heart rate, time, or another metric, an always-on display lets you do that without having to look at your watch and take your eyes off what you’re doing.
Apple Watch SE 2 review: GPS and HR accuracy
In a similar vein, the SE 2 has an in-built GPS that is notably accurate. I went for a few runs while wearing the Apple Watch SE 2, and once again, Apple is competitive with standalone GPS watches and watches.
Both the individual routes and the cumulative distances were accurately reported by my watch. For instance, during the same thirty-minute run that was described before, I also compared the GPS data. Once more, the Apple Watch SE 2 and the Apple Watch Series 7 followed paths that were generally similar to one another.
Apple Watch SE 2 review: Battery and Charging
The fact that Apple continues to promise that this model’s battery life would last for the same 18 hours as previous models is, without a doubt, disappointing. But rather than bemoan the fact that Apple is unable to compete in the power field, we will point out that the watch has regularly outlived the lifespan that was promised for it.
My Apple Watch SE 2 evaluation unit lasted around twenty-four hours when used in its regular mode before it needed to be recharged. The battery lasted for more than 40 hours when it was set to Low Power Mode.
The new Low Power Mode was designed to help conserve battery life by turning off background activity such as measuring the heart rate at rest and notifying the user of irregular heart rate readings. Nevertheless, if you exercise while in this mode (which I did when testing), it will continue to offer statistics on your heart rate in addition to tracking your whereabouts via GPS. In point of fact, I discovered that the day-to-day user experience was essentially unaffected when the device was set to consume less power.
Apple Watch SE 2 review: Price and availability
The best smartwatch is still the $399 Apple Watch Series 8. But the model that costs less might be a better choice for most people. Without more advanced health sensors, the Apple Watch SE 2 is almost the same as the Apple Watch, but it costs a lot less.
The more expensive model is only worth it if your health is important to you or if you want to track your cycles in detail. Of course, if you’re an adventurer with money to burn, the Apple Watch Ultra ($799) might also be the right fit. If you can find it on sale, the $349 Apple Watch Series 7 is also on our list.
Final Words
The Apple Watch SE (2022) makes sense as a “starter” Apple Watch, an Apple Watch that can be managed with Family Setup, or an Apple Watch that costs less. It has the features that most people care about and makes it easier on your wallet to stay connected.
The extra discount compared to the first Apple Watch SE is a plus, but some might say it was necessary since the $199 Series 3 is no longer available.
Apple Watch SE 2 Ratings
Pros
- Very snappy and slick
- Extremely light and comfortable
- Great mid-tier fitness tracking
Cons
- Thick bezels
- No Always-On Display
FAQs
Is Apple Watch SE 2nd gen worth it?
If you already own an Apple Watch SE from the first generation, upgrading to the second generation is probably not worth the money unless you have a specific desire for increased performance or Crash Detection.
Is the Apple Watch SE still worth buying in 2022?
The second-generation Apple Watch SE is an ideal budget-friendly option to the Series 8, as it features a faster CPU, longer battery life, and a lower price than the one that came before it. The editors at PCMag choose goods on their own and independently review them.
What is the downside of Apple Watch SE?
Nevertheless, unlike the Apple Watch Series 8, the Apple Watch SE does not have a blood oxygen sensor, a temperature sensor, or the ability to take an ECG reading. It does, however, offer many of the same health functions as the Apple Watch Series 8.