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The Apple Watch SE was a surprise. First, it was only rumored to be quite late in the run up to Apple’s launch event in September, suggesting that it was of far less significance than the Apple Watch 6 topping the list.
Second … it actually seems like a really smart buy, even though it doesn’t have any really standout features.
Like the new 2020 iPad Air compared to the more expensive iPad Pro, the Watch SE comes with almost all the key features you’d look for in an Apple Watch, but at a much lower price than the Watch 6.
It throws in some key features: The always-on display on the latest Apple Watch models is the biggest flaw, but while it doesn’t have the advanced electrocardiogram and blood oxygen detection capabilities of the Apple Watch 6, it still offers enough to make it a buy more attractive than the more expensive Apple Watch 6.
Apple Watch SE price and release date
The price of the Apple Watch SE will depend on whether you opt for the GPS-only version or the cellular edition, and whether you prefer the simple Solo Loop / Sport band, or the more elegant Braided Solo Loop.
They sent us samples of the Solo Loop, but unfortunately they were too big for our wrists. However, there was something much more enjoyable about putting them on, rather than having to fiddle with a buckle.
The Apple Watch SE is available now in the Apple Store or online, and went on sale on September 18 in key territories around the world:
| Region | 40mm GPS | 40mm GPS + LTE | 44mm GPS | 44mm GPS + LTE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | $ 279 | $ 329 | $ 309 | $ 359 |
| UK | £ 269 | £ 319 | £ 299 | £ 349 |
| Australia | A $ 429 | A $ 499 | A $ 479 | A $ 549 |
| Region | 40mm GPS | 40mm GPS + LTE | 44mm GPS | 44mm GPS + LTE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | $ 329 | $ 379 | $ 359 | $ 409 |
| UK | £ 319 | £ 369 | £ 349 | £ 399 |
| Australia | A $ 499 | A $ 569 | A $ 549 | 619 AUD |
A basic ‘upgrade’
The first question you might be asking is: what does the Apple Watch SE actually replace? It doesn’t have the always-on screen of the Watch 5, but it has more power than the Watch 4, so if those two devices were still on sale, we could call it the Apple Watch 4.5.
With that in mind, what updates, if you can call them that, does the SE bring the Watch 4 (which as mentioned is no longer for sale)?
The main change is the chipset inside – we found that the Apple Watch 5’s battery life was noticeably improved when the always-on display was off, and since that’s not an issue with the Watch SE, we expect a good runtime. battery. of this device, and that is what we are seeing in the first days of having it tied to our wrist.
There are still a host of useful features on the Apple Watch SE that those upgrading from the Apple Watch 3 would enjoy, and many of them are great for health tracking too, which is fast becoming the main reason to buy. this clock.
The decibel meter on board the Watch SE does a good job of alerting you when the sound around you is too loud. Sleep tracking, which is certainly available on any watch capable of running the new WatchOS 7 these days, comes in handy, even if it doesn’t have as many features as dedicated sleep monitors, with things like time spent in deep sleep and unspecified repairman.
The altimeter in constant operation is useful to let you know the true reflection of your elevation in a race, to the nearest foot according to Apple, although in side-by-side tests with the Apple Watch 6 in a training we found that the height rose and fell varied for 10-15 meters in a two-mile run.
Not huge, but we wouldn’t use the Watch SE to calculate our exact elevation stats in any workout.
At the other end of the fitness scale, the Apple Watch SE feels like a great option for an elderly family member whose health you may want to keep an eye on: being able to receive fall detection alerts or heart rate warnings. It will really bring peace of mind to the concerned.
Combine that with the larger screen in the 40mm / 44mm size, courtesy of less bezel, and this will be a really useful device for the elderly.
With the new familiar settings feature for the Watch range, which allows you to set up an Apple wearable device for someone else from your iPhone, buying the Watch SE for someone who doesn’t use an iPhone becomes a relatively straightforward proposition.
Apple Watch 6 design and display
Apple has not purposely changed anything about the design of the Apple Watch SE, staying with the same dimensions as the Apple Watch 4, 5 and 6, and therefore saving money by not having to create a completely new case.
That means you’re getting the same 40mm / 44mm sizes to choose from (with a corresponding increase in price for the larger model), with the heart rate monitor on the back and the rotating digital crown on the side, with the power button. then so you can interact with the watch.
All the elements of this promise a premium device right out of the box, a hallmark of a device that has propelled Apple to the forefront of the wearable market, and the SE shows no sign of cutbacks in the price. design.
There’s something unbelievably curious about the Apple Watch SE’s display: While it’s supposed to be the same as the Watch 6, time and time again we find it to be a bit brighter in everyday use.
That’s funny partly because it’s supposed to be identical, but also because, when we shot the Watch SE at full brightness using the Torch app, the displays were just as bright.
It was just that in everyday use, when looking at the watch face to see the time or check some information, the Watch SE was noticeably a touch brighter than the Watch 6, even though the brightness settings were set to the same level. .
Whether it’s because there’s no always-on display, which could add an extra layer on top that could block a certain level or brightness, or just a design quirk, the Watch SE has an increasingly vibrant display.
WatchOS 7
WatchOS 7’s new key features show up well in the new range of Apple watches, and the Watch SE is capable of tracking sleep, controlling hand washing, tracking more fitness workouts than before. and allow you to use new services. like the new Fitness Plus exercise video set.
In real world use, we didn’t see too many updates with the new software – handwashing control was good when it worked, but most of the time the Watch SE didn’t detect that we were lathering our hands. Or I only saw it halfway through
Sleep monitoring is fine – it works in terms of letting you know how long you’ve been in bed and asleep, but it doesn’t provide information on sleep quality like other trackers do.
And while it’s good to get information on whether you have enough battery for the whole night or are low on battery when you wake up, there is no easy way to quickly charge your battery.
Early verdict
After 24 hours of use, the Apple Watch SE seems to be an impressive device – all the features that matter most to you are here, making it a great way to save money if you’re not worried about advanced health metrics and can live without the always-on screen.
It’s worth remembering that the starting price of $ 279 / £ 269 is only for the smaller model without cellular capabilities, and the price rises quickly if you want to get the larger model or add the option to lose the phone, but compared to On previous models, the Watch SE offers all the features many will want for a little less than what they would expect to pay.
We will test the Watch SE properly over the next few days, to see how the battery life works and if is The model is the one that all potential watch owners should check out first.
