Let’s state right away that if you already have an Apple Watch SE and are thinking of buying a new one, don’t. You won’t notice any difference.
The Apple Watch SE is the entry model to Apple’s world of watches. It comes in two different sizes, 40 and 44 millimeters, which means a case that is one millimeter smaller than the Apple Watch Series 8 (which is 41 and 45 millimeters, respectively).
Appearance-wise, it looks like the previous SE model and it takes close inspection to tell it apart from the Series 8. The most obvious thing is that the Series 8 has an always-on display, something the SE lacks.
But should you take off the watch, you will see that the back is different from the previous model. The new Apple Watch SE has a new nylon composite back, which makes the watch lighter.
How much easier? Well, a couple of grams. Instead of 36.4, it now weighs 33 grams. Will you notice a difference? Hardly.
New processor
On the inside, more stuff has happened. The Apple Watch SE has now received the S8 SiP chip with a 64-bit 2-core processor. According to Apple, it is up to 20 percent faster than the previous generation.
Will you notice a difference? Well, the first generation SE wasn’t exactly tough. But if we focus on the new SE, we can tell you that it quickly finds GPS signal, significantly much faster than the activity bracelets we have tested. As soon as you go out, it has a GPS signal.
The clock can of course reflect what is happening on your phone. If you receive a text message, it vibrates just enough for you to notice it. The same thing if your phone rings or if you receive a chat message from, for example, Messenger.
You can allow or deny notifications in the watch by setting these in the Apple Watch app.
Swim and dive
The watch has the same IP certification as Series 8, you can safely jump in the pool or swim in the sea with it. It can handle depths down to 50 meters. And when we are still in the water, we can tell you that it automatically detects if you practice swimming – something that the Series 8 also does.
The same automatic detection is available for running, walking, cycling and more. It has the same great training features as its big brother, the Series 8.
On the back hides an optical heart sensor that measures pulse and heart rhythm. What you can’t do with SE is take an EKG or measure the blood oxygen level.
The GSM version is the best
If you buy, which we recommend, the GSM version, you can order an e-SIM from your operator and then make and receive calls, SMS, emails and more. It also makes it easier when you exercise, now you don’t have to lug your phone around to log your run. Apple Watch SE gives you distance, time, number of steps and calories burned.
Calls actually sound better than expected through the watch’s small speaker. We also haven’t had any complaints about the sound quality when calling through it.
The memory in the watch is 32 gigabytes, which is more than enough. You can download music from Spotify to the watch through the phone app. If you use Apple’s Music, you can do it directly in the watch.
According to Apple, the battery life is up to 18 modest hours. But if you use it sparingly, you can get up to 24 hours.
Crash detection
What distinguishes this generation SE from the previous one is above all that it has received crash detection. The watch’s accelerometer and gyroscope, combined with the microphone and smart algorithms can detect if you were to end up in a car crash. Apple has used data from real collisions to develop the feature.
Let’s hope you don’t have to use it. Should you be unlucky enough to end up in a serious car accident, the Apple Watch SE senses this and calls 112 to call for help.
Is a single new feature really enough for you to buy an Apple Watch SE? No of course not. This is a smartwatch for those of you who don’t already have an Apple Watch or for those of you who want to equip your child with one.
This is a really good smartwatch for those of you who have always been curious about one, but have been put off by the price. As a training partner, it is simply brilliant.
However, you must have an iPhone to use the Apple Watch (all series), unless you use Family Sharing. Through it, for example, a child who does not have an iPhone can use the watch.
Apple Watch SE Specifications
Model: Apple Watch SE
Manufacturer: Apple
Processor: S8 64-bit dual-core processor.
Display: Retina (LTPO OLED) 324 x 394 pixels (40 mm), 368 x 448 pixels (44 mm). Max 1000 nits.
Storage: 32 GB
Communication: W3 wireless circuit. Wifi: 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz, bluetooth 5.0, built-in GPS. Also available with 4G connection.
Dimensions: 40 x 34 x 10.7 mm (40 mm case), 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm (44 mm case).
Weight: Aluminum: 41 mm: 33 g, 45 mm: 27.8 g
Other: Optical heart rate monitor, gyroscope, height meter (altimeter), accelerometer. IP6X dustproof, waterproof to 50 meters. A bracelet is included.