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Anything over S4 is enough. Maybe an SE would be great for you. If you buy used, most important thing is to look at the battery health percentage before buying, as counting your steps is useless if the watch dies mid day

Edit: looked at a few comments. It’s pretty clear that an S3 is enough for you, but two things: 1) I had one, it’s quite slow. 2) Apple already dropped OS support for S3, so you should buy a watch that will give you the latest OS update for at least 2-3 years.
 
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Yes I agree although it could technically track steps and miles and workouts

The MLB app would be sluggish on the S3.

I have an S4 ( which can be found for around $99) and it’s great. Not slow for me at all. Only time when I notice the speed it’s when I’m directly comparing it to my wife’s S6 and my friends S8.
Hi thanks. Thanks for info on mlb app. Where is a place to check on series 4 for around $99? Thanks.
 
Anything over S4 is enough. Maybe an SE would be great for you. If you buy used, most important thing is to look at the battery health percentage before buying, as counting your steps is useless if the watch dies mid day
Hi thanks for info. Anywhere u recommend if buy used? Thanks.
 
You could check out micro center if you’re in the us and near one of their stores. My family got me an S3 from there a few years ago new in box for 125. I got them s4s the following year for not much more. The s3 really is a pain: it literally took all night when I first got it to sync and download the watch OS. My family has had no complaints about their s4s. We changed wireless providers, so I went from an s3 wifi to a cellular s8, even trade so that’s why I upgraded.
 
Hi so u don’t recommend any? All the same.
Budget & want to use for a long time : SE 2
Enough money: Series 8
Buying refurbished machines are pointless for Apple watch because their software support ends quickly
 
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I think you can’t go wrong with the current lineup. Personally I think you should think about longevity and go for the series 8. I’ve had a series 5 from launch and it’s still going strong with no signs of slowing down. For tracking my fitness, recording runs and using Fitness+ it has been and continues to be perfect.
 
Hi. I had thought about Fitbit but read they only last about a year fr most people’s reviews and I want something that is going to last. Plus do have some interest in mlb app, maybe others.
Understandable, that was my experience with Fitbits also. I’d certainly recommend the SE route then if you’re on a budget, it’s worth it to buy new in my opinion from Apple directly, that should last you at least 3-4 years. I got a Series 7 about 1 year ago, I had put it off for a long time because I couldn’t stomach the high price, but as something that I use daily and 24/7 it was well worth it for me.
 
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If you’re really focused on counting steps, I’d say Fitbits are better for that. The AW counts steps, but their main displays among all the watch faces are about ”rings” which count calories burned and other stuff, not steps. It is always possible to view steps, but there’s no watch faces that easily display that. Just something to consider.
Easy to show the steps with the complications. I use the Duffy app to add the steps. See my top right corner.

6BB9EAED-67E5-4A6B-9D71-B15A2C5A6790.jpeg
 
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Hi so then a series 3 would work? What u recommend?
Avoid Apple Watch Series 3 at all costs, regardless of your need. Buying that watch today is like getting yourself scammed. It's horrible.
A lot of u r saying se, can it be se series or series 2? Thanks
Whatever SE you could find should be fine just for counting steps and other simple use. Though SE2 seem to have a few more sensors that you might find useful later on.
Edit: looked at a few comments. It’s pretty clear that an S3 is enough for you, but two things: 1) I had one, it’s quite slow. 2) Apple will drop OS support for the S3 probably in not so long (1-2 years max), so you should buy a watch that will give you the latest OS update for at least 3 years.
Just don't even bother mentioning Series 3 today. Series 4 and above and OP wouldn't even need to worry about iOS version support (in case he is using iOS 16) because watchOS 9 runs on Series 4 and above.
 
I can’t imagine you couldn’t put your hands on a series 4 or 5 for around $100. Resale value on the watches is pretty poor.

Honestly, I’d look for a used 6 or 7 because it would give you more options should you decide you want more features, and once you’re using the watch daily, you may find it to be a pretty useful tool.
 
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What Apple Watch would I need to mainly use for counting steps and miles? Maybe use the mlb app. What is the model I would at least need for this? I might even look for used. Thanks.
It sounds like you don’t even need an Apple Watch. A Fitbit might be more suited to your purposes and budget.
 
I can’t imagine you couldn’t put your hands on a series 4 or 5 for around $100. Resale value on the watches is pretty poor.

Honestly, I’d look for a used 6 or 7 because it would give you more options should you decide you want more features, and once you’re using the watch daily, you may find it to be a pretty useful tool.
In fact, series 4 trade-in value is a measly $70 AUD, or around 48 USD. Compare this to $1299 asking price for Apple Watch Ultra, it makes more sense to me to keep that Apple Watch series 4 as a backup rather than giving it to Apple or selling it when I do the upgrade.
 
Hi thanks. Thanks for info on mlb app. Where is a place to check on series 4 for around $99? Thanks.
eBay constantly has S4 around those prices, the aluminum sport version.

Only thing is the battery. Just take it to the Apple Store and for like $50 you’ll have a watch that lasts like brand new.
 
OP if you're interested, I have a 44mm Series 5 Stainless Steel for $130 with a couple bands. You can PM me. The stainless steel models have a more scratch-resistant screen. I know your needs are minimal, but it's always nice to have more scratch resistance.

You also get an "always on" display, unlike the SE 2, so you can always glance at your watch and see the time.
 
Get yourself something that is still supported. As others have said, Series 4 and up. You're doing yourself a disservice by getting something that isn't software supported by Apple anymore. You'd do fine with an SE 1 or 2, IMO.
 
I have a series 8 and first upgrade from the original watch. The original I have it still but it is nothing but e waste now as the battery finally croaked on it and the watch was battered by all the years I worked and after I retired. When the battery died the wife is sitting with me and we were talking and she said I wonder when you were going to replace it. I never really thought of it I just went to a 40 mm basic GPS series 8.

Since I was a veteran I went into the Apple veterans website and ordered the new watch with 10% off. So a $400.00 series 8 was $360 plus sales tax.

The funny thing is the wife has a 40 MM series 5 GPS plus cell service on hers and she disconnected the cell service since she never used since we were retired. I can hardly tell the difference ion performance between the two watches except the body temp feature and crash detection in the series 8. The body temp feature is absolutely of no need as it will not give a true body temp except what ever the baseline. The crash detection well I hope I never have to use that.

Because I intend to keep this watch a long time and not replace it I recommend the SE2 for you as the body temp feature is not worth your time and the rest of that watch is so similar to the rest of the line up.
 
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Yeah again my S4 is no slouch and I use it every day, but the S6 and SE2 are super fast as well and a great deal can be found on the S6 for around $149

The reason we got the SE2 is cause it has the same chip as the S8 so it’ll definitely last longer for many many many years to come.

Get the SE2 if $249 is with your budget. If not then no big deal and scour for the S6 used for around $149 and if no luck then the S4 & S5 are great options but at those low price points I’d probably get the SE1.
 
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