Apple Watch SE vs. Apple Watch Series 7 Buyer's Guide

[BuddyTronic]

Does anyone find the blood oxygen levels or ecg monitoring useful or helpful in any way?

No, nobody does. Do you also wonder about the useful or helpful attributes of seatbelts in cars? Gimmicks!

seriously though - of course these cool functions have helped people. Find someone with heart problems and see if they think it is helpful to have an ECG or O2 saturation testing so easily

 

[Pirate!]

I think the biggest reason for me not to get an SE still is the always on display. If that ever gets to the SE, I’ll definitely switch to that, but I have another 2 years at least.

 

[MiG007]

I was just informed by Apple that you can't order any Apple Watch that is not in stock. If the band isn't in stock you can't place an order for delivery later. If the case isn't in stock you can't place an order.

In other words, if the combo you want isn't "in stock" don't bother trying to order, because you can't.

Chatted with two different reps to this effect.

 

[sclawis300]

After my Series 4 stainless steel dies, it will be an SE or a refurb. I won't pay full price any longer for Apple Watches that don't hold their value and are impossible to repair.

My wife's $699 Series 4 stainless steel fell this week and cracked the glass on her screen (OLED display is intact) and the repair by Apple is $399, outrageous. She is no longer covered by AppleCare+ as it is over 2 years.

If I trade in my $749 Series 4 stainless steel, Apple would give me $100.

So going forward, I'll buy whatever is cheapest. IMO all the sensors are massive gimmicks. The SE has everything you truly need.

Maybe just don’t buy the SS one next time and just get aluminum instead and still get the latest version. All trade in programs are a scam and only give you pennies on the dollar. Just because they only offer $100 doesn’t mean your watch isn’t worth more than that. That being said if you buy any electronic device and expect it to hold its value you are going to be very disappointed every time.

 

[scoobysnax]

I also had a Stainless Steel Series 4 that had and expanded battery issue, which popped my watch face off. My AC had passed and they wanted to charge my $400, for a refurb’d replacement (no thanks). I’d be better off buying a new Series 6.

While researching my replacement, I came across the SE and it had everything I needed. Once I found out it also had a NIke edition, I was sold. Never looked back. Value proposition is too good with the SE.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Does anyone find the blood oxygen levels or ecg monitoring useful or helpful in any way?

It has been helpful to me. I have had consistent, accurate readings with my Series 6.

 

[sclawis300]

Don’t think we’ll see a round watch as that limits content, but I agree on health. Also on a 4, wanted to go 7 this year but leaning to pass.

The battery situation is also suboptimal. It would be ideal if the battery life went up to 48 hours. Then a 15-20 minute quick charge should be able to get you to 18 hours of charge. Having to charge over an hour to get 18 hours of use makes it a no go for sleep tracking.

Not sure what you are talking about. Wear the watch all day, slap it on a charger for 7 minutes while you brush your teeth. Put it on to track your sleep. Charge it in the morning while you shower and get dressed. Repeat.

 

[Sammy in SoCal]

I paid $500 for an AW6 and sold it last week for $400 to get the AW7. I personally find them to hold their value very well.

Where did you sell it to get that much

 

[Deliro]

I usually get the SS model. I prefer having the health sensors as I use them daily. This year, I decided to use my Apple account credit and get the aluminum. Hopefully, it will hold up. No out of pocket expense for a new watch.

It will. Wore my series 0 for nearly 5 years and no visible damage on the casing. One minor scratch on the screen.

 

[SilverWalker]

After my Series 4 stainless steel dies, it will be an SE or a refurb. I won't pay full price any longer for Apple Watches that don't hold their value and are impossible to repair.

My wife's $699 Series 4 stainless steel fell this week and cracked the glass on her screen (OLED display is intact) and the repair by Apple is $399, outrageous. She is no longer covered by AppleCare+ as it is over 2 years.

If I trade in my $749 Series 4 stainless steel, Apple would give me $100.

So going forward, I'll buy whatever is cheapest. IMO all the sensors are massive gimmicks. The SE has everything you truly need.

Wow! $400 to replace the front glass? That's more expensive than a brand new watch with a new strap and a charging puck.

 

[ForkHandles]

Does anyone find the blood oxygen levels or ecg monitoring useful or helpful in any way?

The vast majority of people, 99%, don’t need this health data. For those that do it’s a real game changer.
The vast majority of people will benefit from the activity rings if they are not in training.
Consistent failure to close your rings is a far better indicator of an sun-optimal lifestyle than a graph showing a variation in pulse ox.
The SE works just fine for me, bought one last month over the S6

 

[Slo Pesci]

No silver aluminum series 7? What the heck..

 

[1Peace]

Hi,

are here someone with red watch 6?

I’m considering buying it as 7 is underwhelming and 6 Red has the biggest discount BUT at least in my stores there is not a single one to see it live. I’m wondering if this color is satisfying and how it holds with different bands etc, every comment will be really appreciated.

 

[svish]

Watch SE is a very good one with it's low price. It lacks the always on display which can be a deal breaker for some

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

AW 6 Vs AW 7 or AW 5 vs AW 7 comparison is what really wanted to see, especially considering that I’m seeing base model AW6 prices dropping and getting very close to AW SE prices.

The step up from SE to 7 is obvious. 6 to 7 not so much.

 

[KOTN91]

The SE is essentially a 4.5 and would surely be difficult to recommend at this point

 

[poppadom]

Does anyone find the blood oxygen levels or ecg monitoring useful or helpful in any way?

Yes. Without doubt for me.

I had open heart surgery two years ago for a congenital bicuspid valve replacement. Although I was born with the bicuspid valve, it was a routine echocardiogram decades later which discovered its presence. I'd been getting symptoms of valve deterioration and heart damage: breathlessness, dizziness, chronic fatigue. Two other potential symptoms I (thankfully) avoided were syncope and death.

Once you get symptoms, eventual death will be sooner rather than later unless valve replacement occurs. My cardiologist said I'd be lucky to live three years unless they operated. I said: Where do I sign?

Pre surgery, my Apple Watch had been alerting me to sudden spikes in heart rate at rest. So the watch was aware I had a problem. Subsequent medical investigations proved the watch was correct.'Twas time for surgery.

Since my surgery, my watch has been the perfect monitor for potential health issues. I had pericarditis last year (infection of the pericardial sac around the heart), which led to hospitalisation for a week. As well as symptoms of fever, breathlessness and chest pain, my watch was telling me my heart rate was up.

I have ordered a new Watch 7. Arriving some time after the 19th October. I can’t wait! It looks fabulous. Plus, for me, with a particular health condition, it's a pretty essential piece of kit.

And of course, aside from the watch’s medical monitoring, it does a multitude of other wonders. But let's be honest, at the end of the day, I'm a geek.

I’ve worn watches since childhood. I love the Apple Watch. It’s Science Fiction come true. It’s the future I was imagining as a boy. And it’s here now. Glad I’ve survived long enough to experience it.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Glad I’ve survived long enough to experience it.

Great writeup, and I hope you survive long enough to see many more iterations of the watch and other products.

 

[SurferPup]

Love my English lavender braided loop band. I know it is made of synthetic fibres however appears as a natural fibre. Obviously the texture doesn't feel like a cotton, wool, modal or bamboo but comfortable and smart casual dress code styling. I wore it out for the first time at a Mexican joint this sarvo with a matching lavender tee.

 

[macvicta]

After my Series 4 stainless steel dies, it will be an SE or a refurb. I won't pay full price any longer for Apple Watches that don't hold their value and are impossible to repair.

My wife's $699 Series 4 stainless steel fell this week and cracked the glass on her screen (OLED display is intact) and the repair by Apple is $399, outrageous. She is no longer covered by AppleCare+ as it is over 2 years.

If I trade in my $749 Series 4 stainless steel, Apple would give me $100.

So going forward, I'll buy whatever is cheapest. IMO all the sensors are massive gimmicks. The SE has everything you truly need.

That just means that the watch was never worth $749 to begin with.

I buy the stainless steel models because I like the way they feel and look on my wrist. I’m under no illusion that I’m overpaying for it.

 

[Canyda]

No. The blood oxygen sensor in particular is so inaccurate as to be useless - I routinely get readings from the high 80s to high 90s with no good reason for the variation.

maybe older people or people with preexisting conditions find them helpful but I do not.

that said, the S7 (or 6, which I have) is an easy call over the SE for the AOD alone. The speed difference between the processors is also way bigger than you’d think (I went from a S5 to a S6)

The blood oxygen sensor is the most frustrating sensor for me for that reason. Totally agree that it seems to be pretty random in how it measures at times. What surprised me was that early in the pandemic, when people were complaining that masks "prevent you from breathing oxygen properly and CO2 builds up in your mask, etc. etc.", I found that I could almost always get 100% blood oxygen readings on my Watch 6 while masked, but could only get 95% to 99% regularly without a mask. That struck me as ... weird.

That said, I do check my readings from time to time as if suddenly I see I'm dipping into the low 80s or something, that would be bad.

 

[Canyda]

The SE is essentially a 4.5 and would surely be difficult to recommend at this point

My wife bought the SE last month as her first AW and she absolutely loves it. She migrated up from a Fitbit Charge that had lost all its screen brightness after just 2 years. She's not a big techie person, and was very worried, in fact, that even the SE would be "too much" tech for her. But she loves being able to respond to messages right on her Watch, she's used Apple Fitness+ a few times for yoga, and generally thinks its terrific and not once has said, "I wish it had always on display”. So it really depends on what individual users want out of their technology.

 

[CARIB_APPLE]

I bought an AW3 about a year ago on Amazon for $99 (with some Amex credits). It serves its purpose as I only wear it while working out and on the weekends. I'm thinking of upgrading to the SE as that seems to be a bit more reasonable middle ground. Apple will give me $70 for my AW3 trade in. I've also been searching for a good deal on a AW6 but they seem to be out of stock everywhere.

 

[0111587]

• 50 percent louder speaker than Series 3

Really? Comparing this with series 3 ?

 

[KOTN91]

My wife bought the SE last month as her first AW and she absolutely loves it. She migrated up from a Fitbit Charge that had lost all its screen brightness after just 2 years. She's not a big techie person, and was very worried, in fact, that even the SW would be "too much" tech for her. But she loves being able to respond to messages right on her Watch, she's used Apple Fitness+ a few times for yoga, and generally thinks its terrific and not once has said, "I wish it had always on display”. So it really depends on what individual users want out of their technology.

I hear you, but the S3 would also do all that which puts the SE kinda in no mans land