Apple Watch SE First Impressions: Good Price for Surprising Similarity to High-End Models

[MacRumors]

The Apple Watch SE is set to start shipping Friday, September 18, but the first hands-on reviews of Apple's lower-cost wearable are now appearing online. Several journalists and media outlets were provided with review units, and so far Chris Velazco from Engadget and Victoria Song from Gizmodo have shared their opinions after 24-hours with the wearable.

Given that the Apple Watch SE is a lower-cost option that does not introduce any new features, reviews have focused on the balance of features that Apple chose to include in the device. Nonetheless, the Apple Watch SE is being treated as a welcome, good value-for-money option. Song outlined the features that the Apple Watch SE is lacking:

For starters, you're not getting the electrocardiogram app for atrial fibrillation detection or the new blood oxygen-monitoring sensor. You're also not getting the always-on screen that was introduced with the Series 5, the Series 6's faster S6 chip, or the U1 Ultra Wideband chip. From a charging standpoint, the Series 6 will also go from zero to 100% a bit faster at 1.5 hours versus the Watch SE at 2.5 hours. For wifi, the Series 6 supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz, while the SE only supports the former.

In spite of these drawbacks, she was positive about the Apple Watch SE's performance, and said that "you're not giving up as much as you might think."

The S5 chip is, so far, still snappy. I have zero complaints about downloading or launching apps. I'm sure the S6 chip is faster, but the S5 is better than simply "fast enough." So far, the tilt-to-wake responsiveness for the Watch SE's display is also pretty great. I’m not sure if it’s just my memory failing me, but it feels faster than I remember it being on the Series 2, 3, and 4. Perhaps it's the S5 chip?

In terms of performance and battery life Velazco was similarly positive:

In other words, you can expect performance that's in line with what was -- up until just recently -- Apple's flagship wearable. I haven't had the SE long enough to fully test its battery life, but I easily got a full day of use from the Series 5 when it launched, and the SE might last a little longer since it doesn't have an always-on display to worry about.

Song also commented on the lack of always-on display found on the Apple Watch Series 5 and Series 6, but said "I don't feel cheated by not having an always-on display."

Unsurprisingly, the reviews tended to convey some disappointment about the Apple Watch SE lacking advanced health features such as ECG and blood oxygen monitoring, but ultimately resolved that they were not of vital importance. Song said:

ECG and atrial fibrillation notifications are wonderful innovations. But unless you have a heart condition, or are in the at-risk age range for Afib, it's not the most necessary feature. Lacking ECG doesn't mean you won't get the potentially life-saving warnings if your heart rate suddenly skyrockets or plummets beyond your normal range. That's something that comes with watchOS—even the Series 3 has that capability. As for blood oxygen-monitoring... this is also a cool innovation that, generally speaking, wearables companies haven't figured out how to implement in a truly meaningful way just yet... you won't be missing out on the vast majority of what makes an Apple Watch great if you don't have blood oxygen-monitoring.

Velazo echoed the sentiments, saying that Apple Watch SE "still has most of the health-focused features Apple has rolled out in the past few years, like fall detection, alerts for excessive ambient noise, and non-ECG-based heart rate monitoring."

Overall, Velazco described the SE as "a mixed bag of the best parts and features from the last few years of Apple Watch history," and notes that it is "surprisingly similar" to the high-end Apple Watch Series 6. Song said that the Apple Watch SE "feels like an extremely good deal... Apple may have a real affordable winner on its hands."

More detailed, longer-form reviews of the Apple Watch SE will be arriving soon.

Article Link: Apple Watch SE First Impressions: Good Price for Surprising Similarity to High-End Models

 

[cocky jeremy]

Flagship or nothing for me.

 

[oneMadRssn]

I didn't realize the SE lacks 5ghz wifi. That's pretty lame.

 

[MacAttack2024]

“Notes that it’s surprising similar to the Series 6”.

it’s basically the same watch why wouldn’t it be. smh

 

[redscull]

I like this new separate line. I wish the SE model lacked _all_ the special health features but then instead got the faster charging and same CPU. I am still rocking my series 2, and I have always had all the detector stuff turned off, sort of like having an SE. I just don't care about heart rate or any of that other monitoring. But I care very much about how slow my apps load, how good the wifi signal is, siri's performance etc. Hopefully next gen they'll focus even more on SE being full performance and no monitoring, and flagship having all the monitoring features.

I would have immediately bought the new SE to replace my Series 2 if it had had the S6 processor.

 

[wilhelmer]

No always-on display is a dealbreaker. Apple should no longer sell models without that feature.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

I didn't realize the SE lacks 5ghz wifi. That's pretty lame.

It’s probably good to have, but when would a watch really need 5ghz WiFi?

 

[bodonnell202]

I didn't realize the SE lacks 5ghz wifi. That's pretty lame.

The Series 6 is the first Apple Watch to include 5GHz wifi, and it's still Wifi 4.

 

[oneMadRssn]

It’s probably good to have, but when would a watch really need 5ghz WiFi?

I've been trying to phase out 2.4ghz at home due to lots of interference with neighbors. I have only a few devices left that need it, but once they're replaced, I can just turn it off.

 

[jpsalazar]

Almost necessary to compete with the entry-level/low-cost wearables.

 

[djcerla]

They'l sell boatloads of these for the holidays.

And the day they'll open to Android, like the iPod did with Windows... they will need a new factory.

 

[mr.steevo]

Doesn’t the S5 chip have the same performance as the S4?

Is the SE just the S4 without EKG?

 

[redscull]

Doesn’t the S5 chip have the same performance as the S4?

yes, exactly. The SE's performance is effectively the same as the S4. So it is two generations old out of the gate. I love the idea of a flagship with all the health stuff and a more affordable SE line, but I with the SE line was still full performance, even if that meant even less health monitoring features. Some of us just want a really amazing smart watch with GPS tracked workouts.

 

[lkalliance]

GRAMMAR NAZI ALERT:

Pet peeve is the sudden overuse of hyphens I see everywhere. They have had 24 hours with the wearable. It has been a 24-hour trial. GAH.

 

[Mr Todhunter]

Any idea of how much memory. Still 32gb? I can’t find this info anywhere.

 

[cardfan]

The Apple Watch SE is set to start shipping Friday, September 18, but the first hands-on reviews of Apple's lower-cost wearable are now appearing online. Several journalists and media outlets were provided with review units, and so far Chris Velazco from Engadget and Victoria Song from Gizmodo have shared their opinions after 24-hours with the wearable.

Given that the Apple Watch SE is a lower-cost option that does not introduce any new features, reviews have focused on the balance of features that Apple chose to include in the device. Nonetheless, the Apple Watch SE is being treated as a welcome, good value-for-money option. Song outlined the features that the Apple Watch SE is lacking:



In spite of these drawbacks, she was positive about the Apple Watch SE's performance, and said that "you're not giving up as much as you might think."



In terms of performance and battery life Velazco was similarly positive:



Song also commented on the lack of always-on display found on the Apple Watch Series 5 and Series 6, but said "I don't feel cheated by not having an always-on display."

Unsurprisingly, the reviews tended to convey some disappointment about the Apple Watch SE lacking advanced health features such as ECG and blood oxygen monitoring, but ultimately resolved that they were not of vital importance. Song said:



Velazo echoed the sentiments, saying that Apple Watch SE "still has most of the health-focused features Apple has rolled out in the past few years, like fall detection, alerts for excessive ambient noise, and non-ECG-based heart rate monitoring."

Overall, Velazco described the SE as "a mixed bag of the best parts and features from the last few years of Apple Watch history," and notes that it is "surprisingly similar" to the high-end Apple Watch Series 6. Song said that the Apple Watch SE "feels like an extremely good deal... Apple may have a real affordable winner on its hands."

More detailed, longer-form reviews of the Apple Watch SE will be arriving soon.

Article Link: Apple Watch SE First Impressions: Good Price for Surprising Similarity to High-End Models

You mention “several journalists and media outlets”and then go on to quote two amateur bloggers. Lol. Try to find more credible sources.

 

[G5isAlive]

I've been trying to phase out 2.4ghz at home due to lots of interference with neighbors. I have only a few devices left that need it, but once they're replaced, I can just turn it off.

Do you live in an apartment? just curious. I would try to adopt a similar strategy but most HomeKit accessories still seem to require 2.4. Or do you find those are being upgraded too?

 

[Spock]

I really think that this should have replaced the series 3 at $199. I don’t think this is good enough to charge almost $300 for. I’m sure that a refurb or used series 4 could be found for less with the same performance and ECG.

 

[recoil80]

No always-on display is a dealbreaker. Apple should no longer sell models without that feature.

Even if I had a series 6 I'd probably turn it off to save battery. The watch does a pretty good job in turning on the display when I slightly move the wrist to check the time.
I know for some people this is a deal breaker, but not for every customer. They need to differentiate the products in order to have cheaper devices in the lineup, AoD wasn't there until series 5 so it is something we can live without.

 

[edwrap]

The Apple Watch SE would've been great value at $200, similar to the iPhone SE line. I have to imagine Apple was initially targeting that price point and just couldn't hit it, for whatever reason. Selling the Series 3 at $200, when it was already reduced to $200 last year with the Series 5 introduction, is incredibly lame and couldn't have been Apple's original plan.

 

[bodonnell202]

I really think that this should have replaced the series 3 at $199. I don’t think this is good enough to charge almost $300 for. I’m sure that a refurb or used series 4 could be found for less with the same performance and ECG.

ECG feels like a novelty feature for most people. I used it once when I got my series 5 - it said everything was normal and I haven't used it since. I don't think its absence will be a deal breaker for many people.

 

[Big Ron]

Flagship or nothing for me.

That's a bit cocky

 

[bodonnell202]

Any idea of how much memory. Still 32gb? I can’t find this info anywhere.

Yes it is 32gb, it's right on Apple's website.

 

[jent]

I for one like Apple's concept for an SE model across multiple product lines and hope that it's here to stay. I don't always need the latest and greatest but I like the idea of still getting a newer product that is affordable and in making trade-offs with the technology used, has some of the newest/best model's features.

 

[Rogifan]

The Apple Watch SE would've been great value at $200, similar to the iPhone SE line. I have to imagine Apple was initially targeting that price point and just couldn't hit it, for whatever reason. Selling the Series 3 at $200, when it was already reduced to $200 last year with the Series 5 introduction, is incredibly lame and couldn't have been Apple's original plan.

What is the point of the series 3 now other than hitting $199 price point and being there to upsell you to the SE? It doesn’t offer cellular so it won’t work with the family options.

I wish Apple would have gone with two models - Apple Watch starting at $199 and Apple Watch Pro starting at $399. The Pro would have the fastest processor, always on display and all the health censors. And the Apple Watch would be similar to the SE they announced but designed in a way where they could hit the $199 price point. $329 for a cellular SE seems like a high price point for something meant to give to kids or elderly parents.