Apple unveiled the second generation of the Apple Watch SE at Wednesday's "Far Out" event. Here's how it compares to its predecessor.
The Apple Watch SE is still aimed at people new to Apple Watch, existing customers on a budget, or parents wanting to purchase an Apple Watch for their children. Apple highlighted Family Setup, a feature in watchOS 7 and later to let family members without an iPhone still enjoy an Apple Watch. This requires an Apple Watch with LTE.
The two models are nearly identical externally, as the Apple Watch SE 2022 is an iterative update. Nevertheless, it is still an attractive option for some people.
Apple Watch SE 2020 vs Apple Watch SE 2022 - Specifications
| Specifications | Apple Watch SE 2020 | Apple Watch SE 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (starting) | $279.00 | $249.00 | |
| Sizes | 40mm, 44mm | 40mm, 44mm | |
| Display | Retina LTPO OLED display Up to 1,000 nits | Retina LTPO OLED display Up to 1,000 nits | |
| Case Materials | Aluminum | Aluminum | |
| Processor | S5 SiP | S8 SiP | |
| Health Sensors | Second-generation optical heart sensor | Second-generation optical heart sensor | |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters | 50 meters | |
| Dust Resistance | - | - | |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours | |
| Recharging | Wireless | Wireless | |
| Connectivity | LTE UMTS Wi-Fi Bluetooth 5.0 GPS/GNSS | LTE UMTS Wi-Fi Bluetooth 5.0 GPS/GNSS | |
| Other Sensors | Emergency SOS Fall Detection Always-on altimeter | Emergency SOS Fall Detection Crash Detection Always-on altimeter Accelerometer Gyroscope | |
| Colors (Aluminum) | Gold Silver Space Gray | Midnight Starlight Silver | |
Apple Watch SE 2020 vs Apple Watch SE 2022 - Case sizes
Both models keep the 40mm and 44mm options that existed on the Apple Watch since the very first model. However, Apple changed this for specific models starting with the Apple Watch Series 7.
The larger screen on that model necessitated a larger case, with options of 41mm and 45mm, and the Apple Watch Series 8 also has these sizes.
Apple redesigned the back case on the Apple Watch SE 2022. It's made with a new production process that reduces carbon emissions by over 80%.
Apple Watch SE 2020 vs Apple Watch SE 2022 - Materials and Weight
Both Apple Watch SE models have the same materials and weight. The only material available is aluminum to keep it an affordable product.
The 40mm model weighs 26.4 grams for the GPS variant and 27.8 grams for the GPS + cellular model.
Apple Watch SE 2020 vs Apple Watch SE 2022 - Display
The two models share the same display, reaching up to 1,000 nits of brightness. The screen is Retina low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) OLED, but neither generation has the Always-On display that the Apple Watch Series 5 introduced.
Apple Watch SE 2020 vs Apple Watch SE 2022 - Processor
Despite being a low-budget mode, the Apple Watch SE 2022 received the latest S8 processor found inside the Apple Watch Series 8. As a result, it's up to 20% faster than the Apple Watch SE 2020.
The Apple Watch SE 2020 has the same S5 system-in-package found inside the Apple Watch Series 5. In addition, it's a 64-bit dual-core chip, although the S8 SiP is too.
Both SE models include the W3 wireless chip first introduced in the Apple Watch Series 4. In addition, it enables Bluetooth 5.0 on each model.
Apple Watch SE 2020 vs Apple Watch SE 2022 - Health and Fitness
The two models feature the same water resistance of up to 50 meters, so swimmers can track sets and see metrics in the Workout app. These metrics include Heart Rate Zones, Stride Length, Ground Contact Time, and Vertical Oscillation, and both work with Fitness+.
Customers get three free months of Apple's fitness program upon purchase of the Apple Watch SE 2022 and other new models.
Each model features a second-generation optical heart sensor to check heart rates at any time with the Heart Rate app. People can receive notifications for high or low heart rates or irregular rhythm.
Neither model has a blood oxygen sensor or the electrical heart sensor that the ECG app uses.
Apple Watch SE 2020 vs Apple Watch SE 2022 - Battery
Battery life is the same on both Apple Watch SE models, up to 18 hours. Although the Apple Watch SE 2022 model includes a USB-C magnetic charging cable, neither model has fast charging capability.
Apple Watch SE 2020 vs Apple Watch SE 2022 - Other Features
Both Apple Watch SE models include Fall Detection. Introduced with the Apple Watch Series 4 in 2018, it uses the accelerometer to detect if a person has experienced a severe fall and asks what happened.
If it was a false positive, or the wearer fell but isn't hurt, they can tap the "I'm OK" button on display. If the person doesn't tap I'm OK, the Apple Watch automatically contacts emergency services after a certain amount of time, around one minute.
Once it's made that call, it also sends a message to emergency contacts.
The Apple Watch SE 2022 has another emergency feature along with other new models. Crash Detection uses various sensors and a microphone to detect if the wearer was in a severe car crash.
This feature found within watchOS 9 can also automatically notify emergency services if the wearer is unresponsive.
Apple Watch SE 2020 vs Apple Watch SE 2022 - Pricing, Storage, and Colors
The Apple Watch SE 2020 colors include silver, space gray, and gold. The Apple Watch SE 2022 is available in midnight, starlight, and silver.
When it was introduced, the Apple Watch SE 2020 cost $279. Unlike previous generations of Apple Watch, and some iPhones, Apple has not kept the older version on sale, it has entirely replaced it with the new one.
The company lowered the starting price of the Apple Watch SE 2022, now starting at $249 for the smaller 40mm size with only Wi-Fi conectivity.
- Apple Watch SE 40mm (GPS): $249
- Apple Watch SE 40mm (GPS + Cellular): $299
- Apple Watch SE 44mm (GPS): $279
- Apple Watch SE 44mm (GPS + Cellular): $329
Apple Watch SE 2020 vs Apple Watch SE 2022 - What to Buy
The Apple Watch SE 2022's main advantage over the first generation is a faster processor. The new model also has Crash Detection. Otherwise, they share the same specs, except for colors.
It's not a significant upgrade for existing owners of an Apple Watch SE 2020. However, the Apple Watch SE 2022 is a great, affordable option for new buyers.
