Verdict
The Apple Watch SE 2 is a primary, inexpensive and excellent smartwatch for iOS customers.
Execs
- Loads of one of the best Apple Watch options in a less expensive bundle
- Wonderful software program
- Extensive customisation choices
- Correct monitoring
Cons
- Sluggish charging
- No always-on show
Availability
- UKRRP: £259
- USARRP: $249
- EuropeRRP: €292
- CanadaRRP: CA$329
- AustraliaRRP: AU$399
Key Options
-
Loads of sensorsHRM, GPS however no temperature sensor -
WatchOSLoads of apps and frequent updates -
Two dimension and a number of color choices40mm and 44mm sizes plus Midnight, Silver and Starlight hues
Introduction
The Apple Watch SE 2 is the most recent Apple Watch from the SE vary, which caters to those that can’t fairly stretch their price range to the Apple Watch Sequence 8 or Apple Watch Extremely.
Regardless of being accessible at a much more inexpensive value, the Apple Watch SE 2 shares most of the similar implausible options as the usual Sequence 8 watch. This makes it preferrred for these shopping for a smartwatch for the primary time, or when you’re upgrading from the likes of the Apple Watch Sequence 3 and don’t fancy spending a fortune.
Nevertheless, you’ll miss out on a couple of options by choosing the cheaper SE 2 over the Sequence 8. These embrace fall detection, blood oxygen monitoring, quick charging and a bigger display screen. So is the Apple Watch SE 2 nonetheless value a purchase? Listed here are my ideas.
Design and Display
- Basic Apple Watch design with many strap choices
- Two case sizes: 40mm and 44mm
- Sharp display screen however no always-on show
The design of the SE 2 is principally the identical as the unique Apple Watch SE and sticks to the Apple Watch blueprint that has barely modified because the very first version of the wearable.
There are two accessible sizes, 40mm and 44mm, and other than the bigger mannequin having barely higher battery life and a bigger show, there are not any apparent variations between the 2. Should you choose a smaller watch, the 40mm is one of the best wager whereas those that need a bigger watch with an easier-to-read display screen ought to go for the 44mm model.
One of many advantages of Apple sticking to the identical Apple Watch form for thus lengthy is the completely large quantity of strap choices on the market. Whereas the essential SE 2 comes with a pleasant, smooth and sport-focussed silicone strap, there are metallic, leather-based and different types accessible from a number of sources. I’m an enormous fan of Apple’s loop bands, which take away any clasps for a clear look that’s straightforward to slide on and off.
Apple has switched up a few of the supplies used on this era of Apple Watch SE. The rear is constructed from a tweaked materials and it now matches the colouring of the watch as an entire. Extra importantly, this new materials makes for a lighter watch that I discovered a bit comfier to put on than each the heavier Sequence 8 and unique SE.
I’ve been carrying the Watch SE 2 for a couple of months now, and it stays in good situation with only a few scratches picked up in on a regular basis use. It does lack the IPX8 score for mud resistance discovered on the Sequence 8 and Apple Watch Extremely, however it’s nonetheless swim-proof (Apple says as much as 50m) so might be worn within the bathe or pool. There’s additionally toughened Ion-X glass on the display screen which is identical as the bottom Sequence 8 fashions.
The format of the buttons stays the identical as all of the Apple Watch fashions other than the higher-end Extremely. Whereas the display screen might be interacted with to navigate the UI, I a lot choose utilizing the responsive Digital Crown to zip round apps and menu. There’s a shortcut button under it too, for shortly accessing issues like your digital pockets.
Having spent plenty of time with the Apple Watch Extremely, I actually hope the very helpful Motion Button filters all the way down to the SE in future years. This extra shortcut has totally different makes use of relying on which app it’s related to, so it will possibly, as an illustration, begin a exercise after which carry out differing features as soon as the exercise has began.
The show is arguably the world the place the SE 2 disappoints most when in comparison with the Sequence 8. The bezel across the OLED show is bigger right here, eradicating a bit of the immersion you get with the Sequence 8. I discovered the chunky encompass of the show a bit offputting having come immediately from reviewing the Sequence 8, nevertheless I shortly acquired used to it and it wasn’t a lot of a difficulty in the long term.
Much more of a downgrade is the shortage of an always-on show. Because of this whenever you’re not wanting immediately on the watch it’s utterly off, with out displaying glanceable info just like the time. To see the time, you must work together with the watch to get it to kick into life.
With an always-on show, you possibly can look on the time in a way more delicate approach than you are able to do right here. For example, with the Sequence 8, I may look down at my wrist whereas typing to see the time, whereas with the SE 2 I would like to drag my wrist up and look immediately at it. To some, this may appear to be a pointless moan however I really feel the Watch SE 2 feels much less like a conventional watch due to it and one thing I’ve to bodily work together with.
The always-on show isn’t only for the time on different variations of the Apple Watch – throughout a exercise it retains your stats seen always, which it helpful if you must control your coronary heart fee.
Nonetheless, the display screen itself is nice. Vivid (Apple claims as much as 1000 nits) sufficient to comfortably see open air whereas operating in vibrant daylight and dim sufficient so it gained’t get up your associate if the watch by chance goes off at evening.
Health Monitoring and Efficiency
- Correct knowledge collected from runs
- HRM, GPS however no ECG
- Improved sleep monitoring
Should you have been hoping the Apple Watch SE 2 would include a bevvy of upgrades to its health monitoring {hardware} then put together to be a bit disenchanted. There are only a few new options right here and positively not sufficient to warrant an improve.
The largest enchancment is to the accelerometer inside, with it now being extra correct. This ties into the brand new Automotive Crash Detection function which requires an upgraded sensor.
If the watch detects you’ve been in a automobile accident, it’ll first attempt to verify whether or not you’re okay after which contact emergency providers. Fortunately I haven’t been in a position to correctly check this function (for apparent causes) however it’s actually welcome to see the Apple Watch turn into a extra basic wellbeing instrument.
The Watch SE 2 options the identical array of sensors because the earlier mannequin, with issues like GPS, HRM and the like all accounted for. Nevertheless, it pales compared to the Sequence 8 which provides an ECG, blood oxygen sensor and temperature sensor into the combination. The shortage of an ECG monitor – a sensor designed to warn you to any points with coronary heart rhythms – is the largest miss and it’s a disgrace Apple hasn’t trickled this necessary function all the way down to its cheaper wearables.
The shortage of a temperature sensor – one of many Sequence 8’s largest additions – stops the SE 2 from with the ability to be used for feminine cycle monitoring or giving an outline of physique temperature when the watch is worn throughout sleep.
Whereas the health options haven’t seen large upgrades, I’ve nonetheless discovered the Apple Watch SE 2 to be a superb wearable for precisely preserving monitor of runs, health club periods or simply each day motion. I’ve discovered the GPS accuracy on par with the pricier Sequence 8 and the Garmin Forerunner 955 – and extra dependable than the Google Pixel Watch.
As the bottom Apple Watch, this is a wonderful first smartwatch. There’s the Exercise app for many who need to monitor runs or HIIT periods, whereas the Exercise app is nice at encouraging actions and reaching a step aim all through the day. Apple’s easy trick of asking you – and continuously badgering you – to fill in three rings stays some of the addictive strategies of encouragement I’ve discovered on a smartwatch.
The watch does a very good job at routinely noticing whenever you’ve began to train so even when you overlook to log it, the info will nonetheless be captured. All through my time reviewing this watch, this has labored effectively – particularly for longer walks I hadn’t thought worthy of heading into the Exercises app to configure. It’s rather less correct within the health club, so I tended to set it manually in these conditions simply to verify all the info was being captured appropriately.
Plenty of the newer well being and health options truly come from the watchOS software program that launched alongside the SE 2. There’s improved sleep monitoring with sleep phases, deeper operating knowledge and coronary heart fee zones. In fact, this software program brings the identical advances to the earlier Watch SE, so that they’re not a cause to improve.
The S8 chip inside ensures good efficiency; not often is there something sluggish or laggy concerning the basic UI expertise.
Battery Life
- Fees slower than the Sequence 8
- Common battery life, however can simply get via a day
Battery life on Apple Watch fashions has at all times been a sore level, particularly for these used to Garmin, Fitbit and even Huawei watches that may go days and sometimes weeks between expenses. Apple claims the Watch SE 2 will run for about 18 hours per cost however actually it is determined by how you employ it as to how usually you’ll must cost it up.
For instance, on quite a few days carrying this watch I’ve gone a full two days between expenses. That’s with sleep monitoring enabled nightly, auto-workout selecting up monitoring longer walks and the same old day-to-day actions like checking notifications. If these are your essential use circumstances, it is best to get previous that 18 hour mark, though you may must allow the Low Energy Mode as you enter the ultimate hours of day two,
On days once I was interacting extra with the watch – streaming music via Apple Music to a related pair of AirPods Professional, monitoring health club periods or strolling the canine for a few miles then the battery drops noticeably. On lately I might finish the day with 10-15% left within the tank and would often cost the watch earlier than I went to sleep so I might then have the ability to monitor my slumber with out worry of waking up with a useless watch.
The Watch SE 2 lacks the speedy charging of the Watch Sequence 8 and Extremely, which is an actual disgrace – particularly whenever you need to monitor your sleep after a busy day of use.
Newest offers
Must you purchase it?
You need the essential Apple Look ahead to on a regular basis monitoring: All of the necessary options are right here – wonderful software program, GPS and loads of exercise modes – that means it is a nice first smartwatch for iOS customers.
An always-on show is a should: Out of all of the lacking options, the always-on show appears like the obvious. If it is a important function for you, go for the Apple Watch Sequence 8 as an alternative.
Ultimate Ideas
The Apple Watch SE 2 is a really minor replace – much like the bounce from the iPhone 13 to iPhone 14 – but it stays a superb wearable for iOS customers who don’t need, or want, a few of the flashier options of the pricier fashions.
Should you’re on the hunt for a primary smartwatch to control your actions or health club periods, or simply to remain updated in your each day notifications, then it is a nice alternative. Those that demand a bit extra, like an always-on show and a extra trendy design, ought to take a look at the Apple Watch Sequence 8.
How we check
We totally check each health tracker we evaluation. We use business commonplace testing to check options correctly and we use the watch as our essential system over the evaluation interval. We’ll at all times inform you what we discover and we by no means, ever, settle for cash to evaluation a product.
Worn as our essential tracker for 3 months
Used within the health club, pool and elsewhere
FAQs
The Apple Watch SE 2 requires an iPhone 6S or newer, operating the most recent accessible model of iOS.
There isn’t any charger included with the Apple Watch, you’ll want to purchase one individually. A USB-C cable is included.
Sure, so long as the sizes match up. Should you get the 45mm one, search for appropriate straps with the dimensions, Identical for the 41mm model.
UK RRP
USA RRP
EU RRP
CA RRP
AUD RRP
Producer
Display Measurement
IP score
Waterproof
Measurement (Dimensions)
Weight
Working System
Launch Date
Colors
GPS
Jargon buster
GPS
An abbreviation of the International Positioning System, which makes use of satellite tv for pc communication to pinpoint your location. Some smartwatches are in a position to obtain this communication with out the usage of a smartphone.
