Apple Watch SE 2 review: The cheapest smartwatch could be the most tempting

Apple Watch SE 2 review: The cheapest smartwatch could be the most tempting

Apple Watch SE 2: Two Minute Review

The Apple Watch SE 2 seems to stem largely from the idea that the original Apple Watch SE wasn't broken, so it didn't need fixing. Instead, Apple just tweaked it, giving it an even lighter body, a new processor to future-proof it, new colors, and a small price drop.

If what you want from this Apple Watch SE 2 review is whether the original Apple Watch SE is worth upgrading to, the answer is no. You don't get any significant new features here; the most notable is car crash detection, which is obviously desirable, but I don't think many people will pay $250/€250 for that alone.

If you're wondering whether you should go for the Apple Watch SE 2 or the Apple Watch Series 8, it comes down to the specific features you might want and what you're willing to pay for them. The Series 8 has an always-on display (which I think looks like a nice upgrade), as well as an ECG, pulse oxygen sensor, and temperature sensor designed to help women monitor their reproductive health. If you feel like you don't care about any of those health sensors, then the Series 8 is a lot more money for a slightly different experience.

Because the overall experience is what the Apple Watch SE 2 absolutely achieves: It's a complete Apple Watch, without complicated questions about what has been removed from the high-end option. The omissions are listed above. You don't get an older processor, which means you have to wonder about speed, and you don't have any software restrictions. The screen is a bit smaller than the Watch Series 8, with a slightly thicker bezel, but that's not a big deal, especially given Apple's emphasis on black backgrounds in watchOS.

For the past four years, I've always owned the latest flagship Apple Watch and worn it every day. I've gone from my Apple Watch Series 7 to trying out the new Apple Watch SE, and my experience hasn't diminished, other than the lack of an always-on display, and I'm living perfectly fine with that.

While I wish Apple could put the always-on display here for the price, or help democratize home health monitoring by including ECG and/or pulse oxygen sensor in this cheaper model, there's no question that it's the best Apple Watch for those on a budget, and it's one of the best smartwatches of all kinds when it comes to balancing features and price.

Apple Watch SE 2 review: Price and release date

The Apple Watch SE 2 isn't defined by its status as a low-cost Apple Watch option, but it doesn't. It starts at $249 / £259 / AU$399 for the standard model in the 40mm size and $299 / £299 / AU$479 if you want cellular connectivity in that size (that's the version we've tested).

That's a $30 price drop in the US over the original Watch SE, and $10 in the UK for the regular version, or $20 for the cellular version. A price drop was significant, as Apple has now dropped the €3 Apple Watch Series 199, though that obviously doesn't make the new SE as cheap as that device.

For comparison, the Apple Watch Series 8 starts at $399 / £419 / AU$629, so the SE 2 is a significant saving. You could get a much fancier strap with that money saved...

The other useful comparison here for value, however, is the Fitbit Versa 4, which comes out around the same time as the Apple Watch SE 2. The Versa 4 costs $229 / £199 / AU$379 and comes with many similar features: heart Heart rate sensor, GPS, activity tracking, bright screen, contactless payments, but less intelligent... but offers six days of battery life. The Apple Watch SE 2 costs significantly more, especially in the UK, but not extortionately.

Image of the new Apple Watch SE 2

(Image credit: LaComparacion)

Apple Watch SE 2 review: Design

The shape of the Watch SE 2 will look very familiar to anyone who has seen an Apple Watch in the past. Available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, it's the smallest watch in Apple's 2022 collection.

This year, it's available in three aluminum finishes: Midnight (black with a hint of blue), Starlight (silver with a gold sheen), and Silver (which is silver). We have the Midnight version to test, and it's fine. Looking at just the aluminum, you could easily think it's just black, but when you compare it to the true black screen, the subtle hint of blue becomes apparent.

The Watch SE uses the familiar combination of digital crown and power/app button on the right side, and like the previous version, the power button is flush with the side of the case.

It's got tempered glass with curved edges on the front (as usual, the screen isn't sapphire here) and it's got a glass-covered heart rate sensor on the back; however, the rest of the back has been modified.

Using a "nylon-infused" material, Apple has made the back of the Watch SE 2 complement the color of the aluminum chassis that surrounds it, giving it a more unified look when off the wrist. Considering it won't be as far off your wrist, it's not a huge change, but it will definitely look better when you take it out of the box.

Most notably, however, it results in weight reduction. The new 40mm Apple Watch SE is approximately 13% lighter than the previous version and 18% lighter than the 8mm Series 41 aluminum model.

Although in practice it is only a few grams, it shows. I've been wearing the aluminum Apple Watch Series 7, which is exactly the same weight as the Series 8, for a year now, and I noticed the relative lightness of the SE 2 the moment I put it on. Between the slightly smaller size compared to the Series 8 and the lighter weight, if you want the Apple Watch to look a bit like a drag on your wrist, this is it.

The Watch SE 2 is water resistant to 50m, which means it can be used in the pool or in open water. Don't dive (there's an Apple Watch Ultra for that).

There's a slightly larger bezel around the screen on the Apple Watch SE 2 than there is on the Series 8 (or Series 7), but whether you notice it largely depends on the type of watch face you're using. . I use one with a black background, which means the bezel is effectively invisible.

Many watchOS are also designed this way, with black backgrounds designed to blur the line between the screen and the edge of the watch, while you can see the difference in the image below, where we show it intentionally highlighted with the choice of watch face. clock. , I don't see it as a real drawback after using it.

Image of the new Apple Watch SE 2

The Apple Watch Se 2 has a thicker bezel and smaller screen than the Apple Watch 7/8 (Image credit: TechRadar)

Apple Watch SE 2 review: Display

The screen itself appears to be the same as before: an OLED screen capable of displaying up to 1000 nits of brightness. It is on the same level as the Series 8 screen and makes the screen easily visible in most situations, even outdoors. Reflections can get in the way, but I haven't had any real problems.

What you don't get here, though, is the Series 8's always-on display. With the Watch SE 2, when you lower or turn your wrist so the watch isn't facing your head, you get a completely black screen. filter. It also turns black again after a short time, although it is still face up.

The Apple Watch Series 8, however, has an always-on display, which means that instead of going back to black, its screen dims so that the time (or current workout stats) are always visible, but less is used. Energy.

For most people, the Apple Watch SE 2 approach is fine. It responds reliably and extremely quickly when you flick your wrist, which is the kind of movement it's designed to respond to.

However, subtlety is not the watch's forte here. A noticeable twist or movement of the arm is required to activate the screen. As I write this, I twist my wrist a bit to try and check the time, and it's not enough. Surreptitiously checking the time during a meeting is basically out of the question. You can also tap the screen to turn it on without turning your wrist, though that's probably noticeable, if you're trying to be stealthy.

It also means it's more difficult to check your training stats during certain types of exercises, meaning anything you don't want to move your hands for. Weight, bike, elliptical: With an always-on display, you can watch and get information without turning your wrist, but not with the SE 2.

So while we wouldn't consider the lack of an always-on display a major flaw, it's certainly a potential drawback, depending on how you want to use your watch. That said, there seem to be benefits to battery life, which we'll get to in a bit.

Apple Watch SE 2 worn by a man

(Image credit: future)

Apple Watch SE 2 review: Fitness and health

The Apple Watch SE 2 offers very few new health or fitness features compared to the original model, but that means it's still a reasonable package for those things in general, as long as you don't plan on going too hard.

You've got motion sensors for motion tracking and personal fall detection, GPS on all models to provide location and speed data, a pulse sensor inside that can track heart rate and warn of irregular heartbeats, a noise to warn of potential hearing damage, sleep detection, and many health software options.

The only major hardware difference is the addition of a new, more accurate accelerometer (the sensor that detects movement). This enables support for Apple's new auto accident detection feature, so if you're involved in an accident, your Apple Watch will ask you if you're okay and...