Apple Watch SE
The Apple Watch SE combines the power of the Apple Watch Series 6 with features from Series 5 and Series 4. With a lower price than the current generation of Apple’s smartwatch, the SE can also be a great option for kids or older family members without an iPhone.
Table of contents
History
The Apple Watch was first released in 2015, and it rapidly became the year's best-selling wearable device, with 4.2 million units sold in Q2 2015. Apple dubbed the first Apple Watch "Series 0" when it released the Apple Watch Series 2 later that year, along with an improved chip labeled "Series 1" and a whole new "Series 2" Watch.
It was only in 2020 that Apple introduced a different brand for the Apple Watch with the Apple Watch SE, combining the Series 6 processor, the Series 4 design, and some Series 5 features. According to Apple:
“This Watch combines elements of the Series 6 design with the most essential features of Apple Watch, all at a more affordable price,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer, in the September of 2020 keynote."
In 2021, Apple discontinued the Apple Watch Series 6 while maintaining Series 3 available as well as the Apple Watch SE, and the new Apple Watch Series 7.
Apple Watch SE Specs and Features
The Apple Watch SE is available in Aluminum with 40mm or 44mm cases in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold. The Retina display is 30% larger than Series 3, so you can see more and use all the latest watch faces and complications. This Apple Watch features:
The second-generation optical heart sensor
Dual-core S5 chip, twice as faster than the S3 processor
Digital Crown with haptic feedback
Compass
Always-On Altimeter
The second-generation speaker and mic.
Apple Watch SE can withstand up to 50m of water and notifies about high and low heart rate and irregular heart rhythm. With International emergency calling and fall detection, the Apple Watch can also help in times of emergency.
You have the option of choosing between the GPS model and the GPS + Cellular model. Both models have an up to 18-hour "all-day battery."
Users may take use of strong new features in watchOS 7, such as Family Setup, which allows kids or senior family members who don't have an iPhone to experience Apple Watch. Sleep tracking, automated handwashing detection, and new workouts are also included. With watchOS 7.4, you may use your Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone.
Apple Watch SE for children and older people
When Apple announced the Apple Watch SE, one of its focuses was on children and older people. With watchOS 7, users can finally set multiple Watches on their iPhone but let other people use with the Family Share feature.
"With Family Setup, you can use your iPhone to pair watches for your children or older adults who don’t have their own iPhone. So everyone can stay in touch by phone, text message, or Walkie-Talkie. They also can do things like play music, find apps, and close their Activity rings. It’s more independence for your kids and parents, and you have the comfort of knowing they’re just a call away."
The company says that, for older people, the Fall Detection feature is a must, while giving children redesigned activity rings, focusing on movement rather than calories burned.
With its $279 price tag, Apple says it’s best to use an Apple Watch to track and find family members rather than using the AirTag to find people, which the company strongly discourages.
watchOS 7
The Apple Watch SE runs the watchOS 7.5. With watchOS 7, Apple introduced new features to the Watch, for example:
Family Setup: you can pair watches for children and older family members to your iPhone
New Watch Faces: there’s a new Memoji Watch Face and more
Face Sharing: share faces you created by texting, emailing, or posting a link online
Sleep app: when you go to bed, the Watch automatically turns on Do Not Disturb and keeps your screen from waking
Fitness: with more workouts added
watchOS 7.4
With watchOS 7.4, Apple introduced the iPhone mask unlock feature for Apple Watch and Brough support for the ECG app and irregular heart rhythm notifications to Australia and Vietnam.
watchOS 7.5
Now, with watchOS 7.5, the company brought other additions to the Apple Watch SE:
Access to subscription content in the Podcasts app
Apple Card allows members to track expenses, manage spending, and build credit together with a Family Sharing group
Support for the ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 or later in Malaysia and Peru
Support for irregular heart rhythm notifications in Malaysia and Peru
watchOS 7.6
watchOS 7.6 is probably the last big update from the watchOS 7 cycle. Here are all the new features:
Bug Fixes;
Enables the ECG app in 30 additional regions;
Enable irregular heart rate notification in 30 additional regions.
watchOS 8
During the WWDC21 keynote in June, Apple previewed watchOS 8, the current Apple Watch operating system. Here’s what’s new:
New version of the Breathe app, now called Mindfulness
New icon for the Weather app
Respiratory rate is now measured during sleep tracking
Photo watch faces can now include depth using portrait mode photos
Photos app overhauled with featured highlights and memories
Photos can now be shared from the watch with Messages and Mail
Scribble now lets you include emoji in handwritten messages
App shelf in iMessage includes image search and quick access to photos
“Find My” now includes items (including AirTags)
Weather includes next hour precipitation
Apple Watch can do multiple timers for the first time.
Learn more about watchOS 8 here.
watchOS 8.1 features
One month after releasing watchOS 8, Apple made available watchOS 8.1. Unfortunately, this update doesn’t bring a lot to the Apple Watch.
COVID-19 vaccination card support that allows you to present verifiable vaccination information form Apple Wallet;
Fitness+ supports SharePlay to allow subscribers to invite up to 32 people to workout together through a FaceTime call;
Always On may not display the time accurately for some users when their wrist is down.
Pricing
The Apple Watch SE pricing starts at $279 on the 40mm model with GPS only and a Solo Loop band. The prices can go up to $359 with the 44mm version with GPS+ Cellular. In fact, the Apple Watch can be a lot pricier depending on your band’s choice.
40mm with GPS: $279
40mm with GPS + Cellular: $329
44mm with GPS: $309
44mm with GPS + Cellular: $359
Lower prices may be available from Apple’s official Amazon store.
Apple Watch SE Review
