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Lower-Cost Apple Watch SE Unveiled With Series 6 Design, Lacks Features Like ECG and Blood Oxygen Tracking

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Apple today unveiled a lower-cost Apple Watch SE that features the same external design as the Apple Watch Series 6, but with some features missing, including an always-on display, blood oxygen tracking, and the ECG app. Apple Watch SE is also powered by the previous-generation S5 chip from the Apple Watch Series 5.

apple-watch-se.jpg

Other features that the Apple Watch SE shares with the Series 6 include fall detection, a compass, an always-on altimeter, Emergency SOS with international emergency calling, high and low heart rate notifications, irregular heart rhythm notifications, water resistance up to 50 meters, the Noise app, and compatibility with watchOS 7.

Apple Watch SE is available to order today from Apple.com and in the Apple Store app, with availability beginning September 18 in the United States and 27 other countries and regions. Pricing starts at $279 for the Wi-Fi model and $329 for the cellular model. By comparison, the Apple Watch Series 6 starts at $399.

Apple Watch SE is limited to an aluminum finish in space gray, silver, or gold, with 40mm and 44mm size options.

Article Link: Lower-Cost Apple Watch SE Unveiled With Series 6 Design, Lacks Features Like ECG and Blood Oxygen Tracking
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/09/15/apple-watch-se-unveiled-with-series-6-display-and-s5-chip-starts-at-279/
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I think this will be my choice, with one question: does it have EKG?

I am interested only for music at the gym and receiving messages (no social media, no notification other than SMS's basically)
 
yaxomoxay said:
I think this will be my choice, with one question: does it have EKG?

I am interested only for music at the gym and receiving messages (no social media, no notification other than SMS's basically)
Click to expand...
None of their promotional material even show heart rate.
 
So Apple is gonna run with this SE product line. That’s perfect. They need to. Ever since the original iPhone SE was released in 2016 I had hoped they would make a product line that’s more budget friendly.

They can do this with more iPhones as well. Not a bad idea at all. Apple is going to obliterate the smart watch market. They already runaway with it ... not they’re just gonna obliterate it.
 
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Baymowe335 said:
Jesus, Apple is going after market share now. They are going to dominate.
Click to expand...

They have to. The world is changing and so much of the potential market can’t afford the previous Apple prices. This watch will open it up to a wider market and even children. Looking at what the SE has has got me thinking. For what I use my Apple Watch for, I could easily get by with the SE. I would imagine a lot of people will think like that and potentially save money on their next watch.
 
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The-Real-Deal82 said:
They have to. The world is changing and so much of the potential market can’t afford the previous Apple prices. This watch will open it up to a wider market and even children. Looking at what the SE has has got me thinking. For what I use my Apple Watch for, I could easily get by with the SE. I would imagine a lot of people will think like that and potentially save money on their next watch.
Click to expand...
I think this is just more market to go after versus “having” to do it. Smack in the middle of the pandemic, Apple reported their best April-June quarter ever.
 
Does this have always on display? They only said same screen size, not same screen tech.

Also, no mention of heart rate? Hope that is because heart rate is such a Standart feature.
 
Baymowe335 said:
I think this is just more market to go after versus “having” to do it. Smack in the middle of the pandemic, Apple reported their best April-June quarter ever.
Click to expand...
It’s an ideal opportunity to go after the market though. The fitness subscription is about 6 months late too considering there has been a huge spike in people on a fitness kick with lockdowns etc.
 
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Jmausmuc said:
Does this have always on display? They only said same screen size, not same screen tech.

Also, no mention of heart rate? Hope that is because heart rate is such a Standart feature.
Click to expand...

Just looked it up on Apples Page.
No mention of an always on display on the SE.
Basically an Apple Watch S4 but with S5 instead of S4 processor (almost no difference in performance) and no EKG.

So only interesting for people with an AW S3 or earlier or people new to the watch.
 
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Jmausmuc said:
Does this have always on display? They only said same screen size, not same screen tech.
Click to expand...

Knowing Apple, I doubt it includes AOD, it’s probably reserved for the more ‘newer‘ models for the S5 and up. And it’s just to be cost-effective by not including some of the technology in the entry-level watch.
 
yaxomoxay said:
I think this will be my choice, with one question: does it have EKG?
Click to expand...
No.
Jmausmuc said:
Does this have always on display? They only said same screen size, not same screen tech.

Also, no mention of heart rate? Hope that is because heart rate is such a Standart feature.
Click to expand...
No AOD, yes HR.
miniroll32 said:
So a rebranded Series 4 with a price cut? Sounds good to me!
Click to expand...
No, it doesn't have the ECG capability. However, the SE does include a digital compass and features the always-on altimeter. So, some interesting compromises/differences.

Source: Apple Watch - Compare Models - Apple
 
MacCheetah3 said:
No AOD, yes HR.

No, it doesn't have the ECG capability. However, the SE does include a digital compass and features the always-on altimeter. So, some interesting compromises/differences.

Source: Apple Watch - Compare Models - Apple
Click to expand...
I wonder how much the always-on altimeter is a software feature (maybe helped by a lower power sensor).

The SE is either a Series 4 without ECG but with the S5 (which includes things like the compass) or a Series 5 without ECG & AoD.
 
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Baymowe335 said:
Jesus, Apple is going after market share now. They are going to dominate.
Click to expand...
EEEeeeeeeee-yeah.

It would seem pretty easy to convince everyone that was looking at an apple watch to spend another $79 to get the SE. Or if $200 was the budget, then get the Series 3 and be happy with the notifications and health tracking.

Or, geez, there's plenty of people who are fine dropping $399 for a watch.. so why not get the best?

But, yes, domination.
 
JM said:
EEEeeeeeeee-yeah.

It would seem pretty easy to convince everyone that was looking at an apple watch to spend another $79 to get the SE. Or if $200 was the budget, then get the Series 3 and be happy with the notifications and health tracking.

Or, geez, there's plenty of people who are fine dropping $399 for a watch.. so why not get the best?

But, yes, domination.
Click to expand...

I am in that camp. I might get the SE with cellular and call it a day for a few years.
I am also going to do Apple One premium.
 
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manu chao said:
I wonder how much the always-on altimeter is a software feature (maybe helped by a lower power sensor).

The SE is either a Series 4 without ECG but with the S5 (which includes things like the compass) or a Series 5 without ECG & AoD.
Click to expand...
Valid inquiry, point. I can't find any documentation or articles that prove one or the other is true. When watchOS 7 drops, those who like to trek and have AW5 can probably say if it's software activated.
 
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yaxomoxay said:
I am in that camp. I might get the SE with cellular and call it a day for a few years.
I am also going to do Apple One premium.
Click to expand...
I just got the SE. I've been eyeing a new watch since last November when the series 3 went on sale for $129 for Black Friday. That $279 pricepoint sounded really fair. My initial reaction was negative towards it (I was hoping for $199 for the S4 or S5), but really... the $279 seems really fair considering the series 5 was JUST on sale for $299 at a lot of places. I'm happy.

I've had the series 0 since almost launch day, and it's held up remarkably well, even without the latest updates!

The SE made the decision super easy since I felt I missed out (a little) on the sales from earlier this year on the series 5, and I want the 40mm design (of the S4/5/6) not the old 38mm of the S0/1/2/3)

I only like the watch for the OS benefits (many,many of them), and the fitness tracking... so I'm not interested in EKG or the blood oxygen tracking (not for $399 anyways). And the series 0 is slow sometimes opening the fitness app, so I'm concerned with the longterm life of the s3 (especially since I keep watches for... 4/5 years).

The compass is really nice for going on hikes, exploring trails, etc. so I'm looking forward to that.

And getting the dark blue band can take the place of not getting the new blue color on the s6, haha.

Edit P.s.: also, it does make me feel good to know that Apple didn't dump on people who just bought an S5 by significantly lowering the price. In other words, I'm glad that Apple didn't create buyers remorse for the people that bought an S5, by charging a much lower price on the SE.
 
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kmm333 said:
Haha. The question is, Series 5 or SE? Series 5 was as low as $329 for the 44mm in April.
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IF you can find a series 5 for $299/$329. Jump on it!

I do wonder if the SE has a slightly bigger battery because it doesn't have the forcetouch on the screen. iFixit will let us know :D

edit: DOH! The series 6 has better battery life, and the the SE has better battery than S3. Darn I was hoping the battery was the same as the series 6. Oh well!
 
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