Verdict
The Apple Watch SE 2 is a canonical , affordable and very good smartwatch for iOS users .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Apple Watch SE 2 is the latest Apple Watch from the SE range , which caters to those who ca n’t quite stretch their budget to theApple Watch Series 8orApple Watch Ultra .
Despite being available at a far more affordable price , the Apple Watch SE 2 parcel many of the same terrific features as the standard Series 8 watch . This makes it ideal for those buying a smartwatch for the first time , or if you ’re upgrading from the likes of theApple Watch Series 3and do n’t fancy spending a fortune .
However , you will omit out on a few features by opting for the cheaper SE 2 over the Series 8 . These include downfall signal detection , origin oxygen tracking , profligate charging and a larger screen . So is the Apple Watch SE 2 still worth a buy ? Here are my thoughts .
Design and Screen
The conception of the SE 2 is essentially the same as the original Apple Watch SE and sticks to the Apple Watch blueprint that has barely changed since the very first edition of the wearable .
There are two available sizes , 40 mm and 44 mm , and away from the large model having slimly upright battery life-time and a tumid display , there are no obvious differences between the two . If you favour a small lookout man , the 40 mm is the best bet while those who need a heavy watch with an easier - to - read concealment should go for the 44 mm edition .
One of the benefits of Apple sticking to the same Apple Watch shape for so long is the absolutely massive amount of strap alternative out there . While the basic SE 2 do with a nice , soft and sport - focussed silicone shoulder strap , there are metal , leather and other styles available from multiple sources . I ’m a big fan of Apple ’s loop bands , which remove any clasps for a clean aspect that ’s sluttish to slue on and off .
Apple has swop up some of the material used in this multiplication of Apple Watch SE . The bum is constructed from a tweaked material and it now matches the colouring of the spotter as a whole . More importantly , this young material makes for a wakeful spotter that I found a trivial comfier to wear than both the great Series 8 and original SE .
I ’ve been wearing the Watch SE 2 for a few months now , and it stay in unspoilt condition with very few abrasion picked up in everyday purpose . It does lack theIPX8rating for dust resistance found on the Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra , but it ’s still swimming - proof ( Apple pronounce up to 50 K ) so can be bust in the rain shower or pool . There ’s also toughened Ion - X glass on the projection screen which is the same as the base Series 8 models .
The layout of the buttons remains the same as all the Apple Watch models by from the higher - end Ultra . While the cover can be interact with to navigate the UI , I much favour using the responsive Digital Crown to zip up around apps and card . There ’s a cutoff release below it too , for cursorily accessing things like your digital wallet .
Having spent a peck of time with theApple Watch Ultra , I really hope the very usefulAction Buttonfilters down to the SE in future years . This additional shortcut has dissimilar uses depending on which app it ’s plug in to , so it can , for instance , start a workout and then perform disagree function once the exercising has started .
The display is arguably the area where the SE 2 disappoints most when compare to the Series 8 . The bezel around the OLED display is orotund here , removing a fiddling of the immersion you get with the Series 8 . I found the chunky surround of the display a lilliputian offputting having total directly from reviewing the Series 8 , however I quickly got used to it and it was n’t much of an issue in the tenacious run .
Far more of a downgrade is the want of analways - on presentation . This means that when you ’re not look straight at the spotter it ’s wholly off , without show glanceable information like the time . To see the time , you need to interact with the watch to get it to kick into life .
With an always - on display , you may glint at the time in a much more subtle way than you may do here . For example , with the Series 8 , I could look down at my radiocarpal joint while typing to see the time , whereas with the SE 2 I need to pull my wrist up and look directly at it . To some , this might seem like a pointless groan but I feel the Watch SE 2 feels less like a traditional watch because of it and something I have to physically interact with .
The always - on showing is n’t just for the time on other version of the Apple Watch – during a workout it proceed your stats seeable at all time , which it handy if you take to keep an eye on your warmheartedness pace .
Still , the filmdom itself is great . shiny ( Apple claims up to 1000nits ) enough to comfortably see outdoors while run in vivid sunlight and slur enough so it wo n’t awaken up your partner if the vigil accidentally goes off at night .
Fitness Tracking and Performance
If you were hoping the Apple Watch SE 2 would do with a bevvy of raise to its fitness trailing computer hardware then prepare to be a trivial disappointed . There are very few new features here and certainly not enough to warrant an upgrade .
The biggest improvement is to the accelerometer inside , with it now being more exact . This tie beam into the newCar Crash Detectionfeature which requires an upgraded sensing element .
If the lookout man detects you ’ve been in a car fortuity , it ’ll first try out to confirm whether you ’re ok and then meet pinch services . Thankfully I have n’t been able to in good order test this feature ( for obvious reasons ) but it ’s certainly welcome to see the Apple Watch become a more general wellbeing tool .
The Watch SE 2 features the same array of sensors as the previous model , with things like GPS , HRM and the like all accounted for . However , it pales in comparison to the Series 8 which adds an ECG , blood oxygen sensorand temperature detector into the mix . The lack of anECGmonitor – a sensor designed to alert you to any issues with kernel rhythm method – is the biggest miss and it ’s a shame Apple has n’t trickled this important feature down to its cheesy wearables .
The lack of a temperature sensor – one of the Series 8 ’s heavy improver – terminate the SE 2 from being able-bodied to be used for female cycle trailing or afford an overview of trunk temperature when the lookout man is worn during sleep .
While the fitness features have n’t catch immense upgrade , I have still found the Apple Watch SE 2 to be an first-class wearable for accurately keeping track of runs , gymnasium sessions or just daily movement . I have find the GPS truth on equivalence with the costly Series 8 and theGarmin Forerunner 955 – and more dependable than theGoogle Pixel Watch .
As the stand Apple Watch , this is an fantabulous first smartwatch . There ’s the Workout app for those who desire to chase after run orHIITsessions , while the Activity app is nifty at encouraging movement and reaching a stone’s throw finish throughout the day . Apple ’s childlike trick of asking you – and constantly bug you – to meet in three rings remains one of the most addictive methods of encouragement I have found on a smartwatch .
The scout does a good job at mechanically noticing when you ’ve started to exercise so even if you forget to lumber it , the data will still be captured . Throughout my clip retrospect this watch , this has worked well – especially for longer walks I had n’t suppose worthy of heading into the Workouts app to configure . It ’s a little less precise in the gym , so I tended to fix it manually in these situations just to verify all the data point was being captured correctly .
A lot of the newer wellness and fitness feature in reality issue forth from the watchOS software that launched alongside the SE 2 . There ’s improved sleep tracking with sleep stages , deeper running data and warmheartedness charge per unit zones . Of course , this software brings the same approach to the previous Watch SE , so they ’re not a reasonableness to elevate .
The S8 chip inside ascertain good performance ; seldom is there anything dull or laggy about the general UI experience .
Battery Life
Battery life on Apple Watch models has always been a tender point , peculiarly for those used toGarmin , Fitbit and even Huawei watches that can go days and often week between charge . Apple claims the Watch SE 2 will lam for about 18 60 minutes per rush but really it depend on how you use it as to how often you ’ll want to institutionalize it up .
For good example , on legion days have on this sentinel I have gone a full two day between charges . That ’s with sleep tracking enabled every night , auto - exercising foot up go after longer walk and the usual day - to - day activities like checking notifications . If these are your main use face , you should get past that 18 hour marking , although you might require to activate the Low Power Mode as you introduce the terminal minute of Clarence Day two ,
On days when I was interacting more with the watch – streaming music throughApple Musicto a connected duet ofAirPods Pro , trail gymnasium sessions or walk the dog for a couple of international nautical mile then the bombardment throw perceptibly . On these day I would end the day with 10 - 15 % left in the tank and would usually charge the watch before I went to catch some Z’s so I would then be capable to trail my slumber without fear of wake up up with a dead watch .
The Watch SE 2 lacks the speedy charging of the Watch Series 8 and Ultra , which is a real disgrace – especially when you want to cross your sleep after a busy day of use .
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Should you buy it?
All the important features are here – excellent software , GPS and slew of workout mood – intend this is a swell first smartwatch for iOS substance abuser .
Out of all the pretermit features , the always - on display feels like the most obvious . If this is a lively feature article for you , go for theApple Watch Series 8instead .
Final Thoughts
The Apple Watch SE 2 is a very minor update – similar to the leap from theiPhone 13toiPhone 14 – yet it stay an fantabulous wearable for iOS exploiter who do n’t want , or need , some of the flashier feature of the pricier example .
If you ’re on the hunting for a first smartwatch to keep an eye on your movements or gym academic session , or just to last out up to date on your daily telling , then this is a great choice . Those who take a little more , like an always - on showing and a more forward-looking design , should appear at the Apple Watch Series 8 .
Trusted Score
FAQs
The Apple Watch SE 2 ask an iPhone VI or newer , launch the latest available adaptation of iOS .
There is no charger included with the Apple Watch , you ’ll need to buy one on an individual basis . A USB - degree Celsius cable is included .
Yes , as long as the sizes match up . If you get the 45 mm one , look for compatible straps with the size , Same for the 41 mm version .
