The originalApple Watch SE has been a consumer favorite since its 2020 launch. It provided a great middle-ground between the aging Series 3 and the latest and greatest main-line apple watches for the past few years. But, Apple decided it was time for an upgrade and created anall-new SE with features drawn right from the latest-gen Series 8.
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Let's go over what's changed between the two models to help you decide whether you should get your order for a new Apple Watch SE in ASAP, or you should just snag the original model while it's still on some store shelves, or even as a used product.
Apple Watch SE (2022) | Apple Watch SE (2020) | |
Display | 40mm: 324 x 394 pixel Retina LTPO OLED display 44mm 324 x 394 Retina LTPO OLED display | 40mm: 324 x 394 pixel Retina LTPO OLED display 44mm 324 x 394 Retina LTPO OLED display |
Weight | 40mm: 27g 44mm: 33g | 40mm: 30.7g 44mm: 36.4 |
Processor | S8 SiP chip (modified version of the Series 8 chip) | S5 chip (identical to the Series 5 chip) |
Storage | 32GB | 32GB |
Battery | 18-hour lithium-ion battery | 18-hour lithium-ion battery |
Sensors | GPS, altimeter, optical heart sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, high-G accelerometer | GPS, altimeter, optical heart sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, LTE (GPS + cellular model only) | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, LTE (GPS + cellular model only) |
Case materials and colors | Aluminum: Midnight, Starlight, Silver | Aluminum: Space Gray, Gold, Silver |
IP rating | water-resistant to 50 meters | water-resistant to 50 meters |
Price | Starting at$249 | Starting at$200 |
The back panels have also been updated to match your chosen case material
Image: AppleThe revamped Apple Watch SE uses a modified version of the same S8 chip used in Apple's just-launchedSeries 8 Apple Watch . This, according to Apple, makes its 20% faster than the original Apple Watch SE, and nearly as fast as the Series 8 itself. Considering the significant price difference between the new SE and the Series 8, that makes the 2022 SE's retail price a downright steal. It's even more dramatic if you consider its essentially the same chip also running Apple's$800 Apple Watch Ultra.
Aside from sharing a chip, the SE (2022) and Series 8 also both gained the new high-g accelerometer chip needed to support Apple's new crash detection feature. This new safety measure allows the Apple Watch SE (2022) (as well as the iPhone 14 lineup, Series 8, andApple Watch Ultra ) to immediately contact emergency services and your emergency contacts, if you've been in an automobile crash. Apple's decision to bring this feature to its more budget-minded model means you don't have to spend$400+ to get the peace of mind it provides.
The SE (2022) supports Apple's redesigned Compass app, including its new waypoints and backtrack feature. This means you can set your own guide points when out in the wilderness, as long as you've got a stable GPS signal. This is excellent for orienteering hobbyists as well as those that just want an extra layer of safety when going camping. For that matter, it's a great way to drop a pin at your car so you can find it later in the stadium parking lot!
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Prices for the original Apple Watch SE are already below the launch price for the new SE (2022). Those price tags are guaranteed to drop even further. You can now get the well-loved, only two-years-old original SE for around$200 on a regular basis, and sometimes for even less, while supplies last. You can always purchase a used model from a reputable seller as well, with pricing likely going much lower if you're willing to accept a gently loved Apple device.
While silver has stuck around for the revamped Apple Watch SE (2022) the older Space Gray and Gold colorways have been replaced by the newer Midnight and Starlight. Sure, it's a minor detail to many people, but maybe you've got a Space Gray iPhone, or a Gold MacBook you simply must color coordinate with. In that case, your best bet is grabbing one of the older SE (2020) models before they're sold out.
Just a few years back, many parents probably worried about their kids bugging them to buy their first smartphone. Now we've got smartwatches to contend with too. The 2020 Apple Watch SE could be a great fit for this purpose. Most kids (especially those too young to drive) won't need any of the new features introduced by the 2022 update, and they'll love all of the extra connectivity, the 2020 SE provides. Best of all, it can be had for a price that won't sting quite as much when junior comes home and tells you it fell down a sewer...somehow.
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