LTE cost of SE vs AW6 - doesn't make sense

[webwbr]

Any thoughts on why the cellular upgrade of the SE is only $50, but is a full $100 for the 6? I'd be willing to pick the 6 over the SE for the $120 difference (processer, EKG, Pulse Ox, always on screen), but if you add cellular the difference increases to $170 - with no observable benefit - it just costs more for the exact same thing (unless someone can educate me).

Thanks

 

[dave006]

That is not a valid comparison. The Apple Watch SE is using the older S5 Chip with cellular so it is simply cheaper for Apple to continue to use existing S5 Chip stocks and the design / Fab costs are already gone. They also want to push the Apple Watch SE for Family Setup for families.

Simply a business decision by Apple.

Dave

 

[deeddawg]

Pricing of non-commodity goods infrequently is based on cost to make. Instead it’s based on consumer willingness to pay. With the SE partially aimed at folks outfitting their families, it makes sense to reduce the LTE price delta.

 

[webwbr]

Ok, thanks for the feedback... I was just confused as my tracking of the price history of the cellular option never had different prices prices before.

I really want the cellular version, but feel the extra $50 is pushing to me down to the SE over the AW6 - I can justify an extra $120 for the features difference, but not $170.

Thanks again!

 

[deeddawg]

Ok, thanks for the feedback... I was just confused as my tracking of the price history of the cellular option never had different prices prices before.

I really want the cellular version, but feel the extra $50 is pushing to me down to the SE over the AW6 - I can justify an extra $120 for the features difference, but not $170.

Thanks again!

Yeah, the SE model is the first one with a differentiated LTE upgrade price. Be interesting how the market reacts.

Where are you that there's a $170 price difference between GPS and LTE aluminum watches?

Here in the US it's a $100 price difference. $399 -> $499 or $429 -> $529 depending on case size chosen.

 

[yatesd]

I went with the SE LTE for this exact reason!

I have a 5 with a cracked screen and have been stalling to replace it with the new version (couldn't bear to replace it with the exact same thing).

I went back and forth on a base 6 or the SE, and then finally decided to split the difference and get the SE with Cellular ($359 44MM vs $529 for 6 version). Even though I don't necessarily plan on adding a cell plan, for $50 having the ability of worldwide SOS right from watch without phone almost seemed like a decent deal.

 

[webwbr]

I’m in the US...

SE vs 6 = $120 difference

Add in the $50 *difference* for adding cellular to the 6 verses the SE and you get $170 difference

So adding cellular creates a $170 gap between the SE and the 6, whereas the difference is only $120 on the non-cellular versions.

If the cellular add on was “better” on the 6 versus the SE I could bite, but near as I can tell it is the exact same quality.

 

[yatesd]

The other thing that gave me pause, is the disappointment about no change in battery life. Still looking forward to the day that a charge will last enough for a weekend camping or hunting trip. For that reason, I am more likely to upgrade to the 7 or 8. I agree with others that this version feels like a .5 upgrade.

 

[deeddawg]

I’m in the US...

SE vs 6 = $120 difference

Add in the $50 *difference* for adding cellular to the 6 verses the SE and you get $170 difference

So adding cellular creates a $170 gap between the SE and the 6, whereas the difference is only $120 on the non-cellular versions.

If the cellular add on was “better” on the 6 versus the SE I could bite, but near as I can tell it is the exact same quality.

Ah. Okay. To me that's kinda an apples vs oranges though.

If it were me, I'd make those decisions independently of one another.

Decision #1 - do I need features in the Series6 that aren't present in the SE.

Generally, you'll be interacting with the watch with it connected via wifi or bluetooth through the phone far more than you'll be using the watch on LTE. I think S6 vs SE is the priority decision in this situation.

Then move on to Decision #2 - is the anticipated benefit of LTE worth the added cost?


Now if you're in a situation where you know that LTE is a must-have, you can then simply do decision #1 on the basis of the differences between SE & S6 and the cost delta.

All that said, and with intent to be helpful rather than confuse things further, have you considered buying an Apple-refurbished Series 5? While I've not bought refurb watches, I've bought many other refurbs from Apple over the years and every single one has been indistinguishable from new except the box they arrived in. Plus they have the same warranty as new, and you can also add AppleCare+ if desired.

Exact models / styles available changes based on current stock but sites like refurb.me will let you set alerts for a particular combo showing up.

Refurbished Apple Watch Deals - Apple

All refurbished Apple Watch models are Apple-certified, including a 1-year warranty. Shop now to save up to 15% with free delivery and returns.

www.apple.com

 

[Janak Parekh]

I went with the SE LTE for this exact reason!

I have a 5 with a cracked screen and have been stalling to replace it with the new version (couldn't bear to replace it with the exact same thing).

To complicate the math around this further: the Stainless Steel and Titanium Apple Watch screens are made of sapphire, which are much, much harder to crack. They cost a lot more up-front, but then there’s a much smaller likelihood of damage.

My wife cracked her aluminum S2 surprisingly quickly, but her S5 has been going strong, and the screen looks brand new.

 

[yatesd]

I briefly considered this but with a $300+ spread it is hard to justify for a watch I will keep a maximum of 3 years before upgrading. I've now owned 2 Apple watches (1 & 5), and only one was damaged (never buy Apple Care). Self insuring with the saved money is very easy and the odds are in my favor.

I also read somewhere that although Sapphire is more scratch resistant it is not any more impact resistant (my most recent issue).

 

[webwbr]

Ah. Okay. To me that's kinda an apples vs oranges though.

If it were me, I'd make those decisions independently of one another.

Decision #1 - do I need features in the Series6 that aren't present in the SE.

Generally, you'll be interacting with the watch with it connected via wifi or bluetooth through the phone far more than you'll be using the watch on LTE. I think S6 vs SE is the priority decision in this situation.

Then move on to Decision #2 - is the anticipated benefit of LTE worth the added cost?


Now if you're in a situation where you know that LTE is a must-have, you can then simply do decision #1 on the basis of the differences between SE & S6 and the cost delta.

All that said, and with intent to be helpful rather than confuse things further, have you considered buying an Apple-refurbished Series 5? While I've not bought refurb watches, I've bought many other refurbs from Apple over the years and every single one has been indistinguishable from new except the box they arrived in. Plus they have the same warranty as new, and you can also add AppleCare+ if desired.

Exact models / styles available changes based on current stock but sites like refurb.me will let you set alerts for a particular combo showing up.

Refurbished Apple Watch Deals - Apple

All refurbished Apple Watch models are Apple-certified, including a 1-year warranty. Shop now to save up to 15% with free delivery and returns.

www.apple.com

Thanks for the refurbished tip... I will check there. And your logic is spot on but I see the cellular as the exact same between the two... like a loop band. I. This case it would be like charging more for the loop band on the 6 than the SE (which they are not doing). If they could explain why the (presumably) exact same cellular chip is $50 higher on the 6 than the SE it would make perfect sense to me. Knowing what I know now I see ko difference. No big deal... again would be willing to pay $120, just not $170 for EKG/pulse ox/always on display)

thanks again