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

[Digital Skunk]

I've been on the fence about the AW for a while now. Nothing wrong with it, I wasn't sure I needed/wanted another device to charge and maintain.

I will say though, that the price and maturity of the product can't be beat and it's tempting now more than ever.

 

[JimmyBanks6]

I've been on the fence about the AW for a while now. Nothing wrong with it, I wasn't sure I needed/wanted another device to charge and maintain.

I will say though, that the price and maturity of the product can't be beat and it's tempting now more than ever.

If you are into fitness you will likely really appreciate it.

Not being able to attend the gym due to covid, I have been able to keep similarly active thanks to the fitness tracking.

It's also convenient as a notification filter, I only let it tap my finger for calendar reminders, text/iMessage and facebook message notifications

 

[44267547]

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.

Nice post. It seems like it took Apple forever to realize it, but they do need to have entry-level products, because of the majority consumers probably aren’t opting for a titanium smart watch breaching a $1000. Especially given, all these Apple watches perform the same watchOS for an equally shared experience, obviously with exception of certain features with health sensors/AOD.

And Apple using the ‘SE moniker‘ for the Apple Watch was actually a good idea, because it translates to the consumer that the iPhone SE is also entry-level, so they’re broadcasting that with the watch Now.

 

[itsmilo]

That’s like saying all white people look the same. It’s not just the appearance that matters.
were they supposed to make the SE look bad on purpose to make them more different?

 

[oneMadRssn]

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?

Not an apartment, but in a neighborhood of small lots of many duplexes and townhouses.

Before it used to be about 1 SSID per family and it was relatively possible to get channel 1, 6, or 11 to yourself or with an overlapping signal being very weak and far away, but now with everyone rocking mesh units and guest access and Comcast public access, the number of SSIDs in the 2.4ghz range have tripled and I'm pretty much surrounded by strong signals on all channels.

I don't have too many HomeKit accessories, but the ones I have aren't an issue. Indeed, the ones I have use either the AppleTV as their hub via bluetooth (Schlage) or have their own hub (Philips Hue). Nest thermostats and Arlo Q cameras both support 5ghz wifi, but aren't HomeKit.

My only remaining 2.4ghz devices are my older Apple Watch, the MyQ garage door opener, my older Brother printer. Also technically Sonos uses 2.4ghz, but with SonosNet it's sort of a separate thing anyway.

 

[The Barron]

This new "junior" watch will be a really big seller for the "holiday" season. Grrr That sounds too PC. It's still Christmas time for me though. 🎄

 

[joeblough]

i think the statement that afib detection is missing because there's no ECG could be wrong. the apple watch can detect afib with the pulse sensor; the ECG would only be used if you want to follow up on the alert with a 2-lead tracing.

 

[George Dawes]

I wanted a tough but light case so I went for the 6 in titanium

SE does look incredible vfm though

 

[Spock]

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.

I don’t use it often myself, I was just making a case for the series 4 possibly being a better value for those that don’t mind refurbs or second hand.

 

[G5isAlive]

Not an apartment, but in a neighborhood of small lots of many duplexes and townhouses.

Before it used to be about 1 SSID per family and it was relatively possible to get channel 1, 6, or 11 to yourself or with an overlapping signal being very weak and far away, but now with everyone rocking mesh units and guest access and Comcast public access, the number of SSIDs in the 2.4ghz range have tripled and I'm pretty much surrounded by strong signals on all channels.

I don't have too many HomeKit accessories, but the ones I have aren't an issue. Indeed, the ones I have use either the AppleTV as their hub via bluetooth (Schlage) or have their own hub (Philips Hue). Nest thermostats and Arlo Q cameras both support 5ghz wifi, but aren't HomeKit.

My only remaining 2.4ghz devices are my older Apple Watch, the MyQ garage door opener, my older Brother printer. Also technically Sonos uses 2.4ghz, but with SonosNet it's sort of a separate thing anyway.

Thanks for the roadmap! I might have to take this on as my next project. guess you just got a good reason to get AW 6

 

[Alex.Roams]

The difference between the S4 and S5 is that S5 enables the always-on display (no performance gains). So if both the Series 6 and SE have the same display, then is Apple just disabling it via software?

 

[David1964]

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

Not for everybody it isn't.I don't want the AOD.I'll be disabling it when my Series 6 arrives.I also have Raise Wrist To Wake disabled.I use Tap to Wake.

 

[EatinPonies]

Apple has successfully made a lot of people forget that the Series 4 and Series 5 had the *same CPU in them*. Everybody wants to talk about how the SE is just like the Series 5 but without the always-on screen. Well... that makes it a Series 4.

Then, the blogger even writes "...it feels faster than I remember it being on the Series 2, 3, and 4. Perhaps it's the S5 chip?" No. That's WatchOS 7. It feels snappier because it's not waiting for your second click on the wheel before it does something. My Series 4 feels amazingly fast on WatchOS 7, but it's just this simple change that makes it.

Apple Watch speed boosts: watchOS 7 enhances app launching with faster Dock, always-on display - 9to5Mac

watchOS 7 is one of those software updates that makes your Apple Watch feel faster without upgrading to a new...

9to5mac.com

 

[jonblatho]

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

Is the SE just the S4 without EKG?

Yes, they have the same performance; the CPU and GPU are identical. The only thing in the S5 SiP that the S4 doesn’t have, as far as I know, is a compass, for what that’s worth to you.

 

[jonblatho]

Apple has successfully made a lot of people forget that the Series 4 and Series 5 had the *same CPU in them*. Everybody wants to talk about how the SE is just like the Series 5 but without the always-on screen. Well... that makes it a Series 4.

Then, the blogger even writes "...it feels faster than I remember it being on the Series 2, 3, and 4. Perhaps it's the S5 chip?" No. That's WatchOS 7. It feels snappier because it's not waiting for your second click on the wheel before it does something. My Series 4 feels amazingly fast on WatchOS 7, but it's just this simple change that makes it.

Apple Watch speed boosts: watchOS 7 enhances app launching with faster Dock, always-on display - 9to5Mac

watchOS 7 is one of those software updates that makes your Apple Watch feel faster without upgrading to a new...

9to5mac.com

While I don’t have two watches to compare, they also shortened animation durations, no?

 

[JM]

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.

I think that S3 at $199 is only there to convince upsell to SE.

 

[Mr Todhunter]

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

Thanks. I don´t understand how I missed it.

 

[page3]

Flagship or nothing for me.

I would have phrased that as “stainless steel or nothing” as I’m not remotely interested in any of the health/fitness features but just want a good, high quality (smart) timepiece. Unfortunately Apple still insist you can only have this if you go for the top, and also you have to have cellular which I also don’t need.

 

[JimmyBanks6]

Apple has successfully made a lot of people forget that the Series 4 and Series 5 had the *same CPU in them*. Everybody wants to talk about how the SE is just like the Series 5 but without the always-on screen. Well... that makes it a Series 4.

Then, the blogger even writes "...it feels faster than I remember it being on the Series 2, 3, and 4. Perhaps it's the S5 chip?" No. That's WatchOS 7. It feels snappier because it's not waiting for your second click on the wheel before it does something. My Series 4 feels amazingly fast on WatchOS 7, but it's just this simple change that makes it.

Apple Watch speed boosts: watchOS 7 enhances app launching with faster Dock, always-on display - 9to5Mac

watchOS 7 is one of those software updates that makes your Apple Watch feel faster without upgrading to a new...

9to5mac.com

Also looks like animation speeds were increased, going to the honeycomb seems much faster.

 

[subjonas]

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.

Now they have to rename iPad to iPad SE, and make SE models of Mac, MacBook, AirPod, and HomePod.

 

[BeatCrazy]

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

If you consider the Family Sharing use case, where kids would have the Apple Watch SE, it doesn't make a lot of sense for AOD. You're already gonna be burning hella battery being on LTE all day. Don't need AOD to exacerbate it.

 

[jent]

Now they have to rename iPad to iPad SE, and make SE models of Mac, MacBook, AirPod, and HomePod.

The SE moniker provides a degree of clarity. I understand why the current products all bear the name they do, but to a newcomer it can be a bit weird to have a MacBook Pro but no standard "MacBook," leaving you to wonder what the Pro wording actually means. And the MacBook Pro is now quite thin like the MacBook Air, unlike a decade ago when the Air was much slimmer and lighter relative to the other notebooks.

How many friends and family do you have that come to you for Apple recommendations and say "I just want something simple for light work, web browsing, emailing, and music"—regardless of the product line an SE would almost certainly be the right fit for that person.

 

[ikramerica]

If you consider the Family Sharing use case, where kids would have the Apple Watch SE, it doesn't make a lot of sense for AOD. You're already gonna be burning hella battery being on LTE all day. Don't need AOD to exacerbate it.

That’s what the SE is for. Giving to the kids. But it costs too much for that. $330+tax for cellular version.
Then you have to wonder why LTE is $60 on the SE and $100 on the 6

 

[BeatCrazy]

That’s what the SE is for. Giving to the kids. But it costs too much for that. $330+tax for cellular version.
Then you have to wonder why LTE is $60 on the SE and $100 on the 6

$329 still feels like a lot for a kid, but it's less upfront cost than an iPhone, and less monthly cost.

The best price I found for a 40mm S4 LTE was $349 late last year, so $329 for 40mm SE w/LTE seems reasonable to me.

 

[mr.steevo]

Yes, they have the same performance; the CPU and GPU are identical. The only thing in the S5 SiP that the S4 doesn’t have, as far as I know, is a compass, for what that’s worth to you.

16GB vs 32GB of storage was the significant upgrade of the S5 over the S4.

The Apple Watch SE is Apple acknowledging that the watch competition is minimal.