Apple Watch SE 2 is the second generation Apple Watch SE. The watch seeks to replace the Apple Watch SE variant. SE variant is the first generation Apple Watch SE edition. Has anything changed between the Apple Watch SE 2 and Apple Watch SE? We look at the important points of both Apple Watch SE variants below.
If you are in a haste, check the table of comparison for a quick feature check of Apple Watch SE 2 and SE. For your ready reference, we discuss the main points of differences between Apple Watch SE 2 and SE in brief below.
The topics in this document include the following points for the Apple Watch SE 2 and SE:
- Processor
- Crash Detection
- Back Material
- Bluetooth version
- Temperature Sensor
- Weight
- Color options
- Table of Comparison
- Closing thoughts
Processor – Apple Watch SE 2 vs SE
Apple Watch SE 2 comes with the eighth generation S8 chip. This chip is a significant upgrade from the S5 chip of Apple Watch SE. The S8 chip is 20 percent faster than the seventh generation S7 chip.
This should give you a fair idea in terms of how fast the S8 chip is in comparison with the S5 chip of the first generation Apple Watch SE.
Crash Detection – Apple Watch SE 2 vs SE
Crash detection is the latest feature that has been introduced on Apple Watch 8 and Apple Watch SE 2. Crash detection works on the basis of results shared by the accelerometer. When an Apple Watch SE 2 detects a car crash, it will seek a response action from you. If no response is received, Apple Watch SE 2 will alert the emergency contacts or call the emergency services.
Nylon Back – Apple Watch SE 2 vs SE
The back of the Apple Watch SE 2 is made of ‘nylon composite and sapphire crystal‘. Apple Watch SE had the back made of ‘ceramic and sapphire crystal‘. So, we have moved from ceramic back on Apple Watch SE (first generation) to nylon back on Apple Watch SE 2 (second generation).
Bluetooth Version – Apple Watch SE 2 vs SE
The Apple Watch SE 2 supports Bluetooth 5.3 while the Apple Watch SE supports Bluetooth standard 5. This, however, does not pose much of a difference in your watch’s ability to ride on the Bluetooth protocol for wireless data transfers.
Temperature Sensor – Apple Watch SE 2 vs SE
Apple Watch SE 2 has integrated a temperature sensor on the watch for skin based body temperature readings. Apple Watch SE does not have a temperature sensor.
Weight – Apple Watch SE 2 vs SE
The shell or body of Apple Watch SE 2 and SE are identical in terms of height and width. The weight of Apple Watch SE 2 is marginally lower than SE.
- Apple Watch SE 2 40 mm weighs 26.4 g and 40 mm Cellular variant weighs 27.8 g. Apple Watch SE 40 mm weighs 30.49 g and Apple Watch SE Cellular weighs 30.68 g.
- Apple Watch SE 2 44 mm weighs 32.9 g and Apple Watch SE 2 44 mm Cellular variant weighs 33 g. Apple Watch SE 44 mm weighs 36.2 g and Cellular variant weighs 36.36 g.
Color options – Apple Watch SE 2 vs SE
Expectedly, we see a new color on the Apple Watch SE 2. Apple Watch SE 2 comes in the following color options:
- Midnight
- Starlight
- Silver
Apple Watch SE comes in the following color options:
- Silver
- Space Gray
- Gold
The Nike edition of Apple Watch SE is available in Silver and Space gray aluminium.
Table of Comparison – Apple Watch SE 2 vs Apple Watch SE
The table lists the main features and specifications of Apple Watch SE 2 (released 2022) and Apple Watch SE (First Generation SE Watch). The table provides a good summary of capabilities of Apple Watch SE models.
| Features | Apple Watch SE 2 (2022 Edition) | Apple Watch SE |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor | S5 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor |
| Wireless Chip | Apple W3 | Apple W3 |
| iOS Compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Android Compatible | No | No |
| Windows Compatible | No | No |
| mac OSX Compatible | Yes | Yes |
| OLED Display | Yes | Yes |
| Always on Display | No | No |
| Display Resolution (44 mm) | 368 x 448 pixels | 368 x 448 pixels |
| Display Resolution (40 mm) | 324 by 394 pixels | 324 by 394 pixels |
| Screen Brightness | 1000 nits | 1000 nits |
| Pixel Density | 326 ppi | 326 ppi |
| Physical Size | 1.78″ | 1.78″ |
| Thickness | 10.7 mm | 10.7 mm |
| Weight 40 mm | 26.4 – 27.8 g | 30.49 – 30.68 g |
| Weight 44 mm | 32.9 – 33 g | 36.20 – 36.36 g |
| Height | 44 mm | 44 mm |
| Width | 38 mm | 38 mm |
| NFC | Apple Pay | Apple Pay |
| ECG | No | No |
| Pulse Oxygenation Tracking | No | No |
| Water Rating | 50 m (equivalent to ATM 5 Rating) | 50 m (equivalent to ATM 5 Rating) |
| Swim Proof | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate alerts | High and Low | High and Low |
| Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Fall Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Crash Detection | Yes | No |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes | Yes |
| Altimeter | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Backup | 18 hours | 24 hours |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Charging Cable | Yes (USB C Cable provided) | |
| Cellular Connectity | Yes (in Cellular models) | Yes (in Cellular models) |
| In-built Speaker | Yes | Yes |
| In-built Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS | GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS |
| Multi-band GPS | No | No |
| Ambient Light Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Storage | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz | 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5 |
| Physical Size | 44 mm and 40 mm | 44 mm and 40 mm |
| Physical Casing | Aluminium (no options for Steel or Titanium casing) | Aluminium (no options for Steel or Titanium casing) |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature Sensor | Yes | No |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Sapphire Glass | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Cycle Tracking for Women | Yes | Yes |
| Back of the watch | Nylon composite and sapphire crystal back | Ceramic and sapphire crystal back |
| Ships in the box | Watch, USB C cable and Band | Watch, USB C cable and Band |
| Heart Sensor | 2nd generation optical heart rate sensor | 2nd generation optical heart rate sensor |
Closing thoughts
If given a choice, I will definitely prefer Apple Watch SE 2 over Apple Watch SE because of the much faster S8 chip on the watch. Crash detection is a feature worth the money. The nylon and sapphire crystal back should improve the strength of the back or rear side of the watch.
All other improvements are generic in nature. But, a faster processor is the best gain I can see coming of buying an Apple Watch SE 2 over SE.
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Helen Kurt is a geeky nerd who loves to cover the wearables space. She has over 5 years of experience in the smartwatch domain. You can reach her on email at [email protected].