Apple keeps adding sensors and silicon to its top-tier wearables, but the Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) remains the one I reach for every morning. That is, because it nails the essentials, integrates beautifully with the iPhone, and—crucially—is the least expensive Apple Watch you can buy new, and thus the easy recommendation for most people.
Why the Apple Watch SE 2 Still Wins on Overall Value
The SE 2 delivers all the core features of an Apple Watch without the premium price: reliable notifications, quick replies, turn-by-turn directions, Apple Pay, and robust workout tracking with GPS. Day to day, it accomplishes that 90% of what most buyers need for significantly less money than flagship models. Further, retailers often drop the price of the SE 2 well below the original list price. Meanwhile, the new SE 3 usually hovers close to its higher official prices, with fewer big sales. Especially when you start counting dollars, the SE 2 usually gets you much more for less and, on rare occasions, enough to add a second band or the AppleCare coverage.
- Why the Apple Watch SE 2 Still Wins on Overall Value
- What You Actually Give Up on the Apple Watch SE 2
- Performance and battery life that just work every day
- A better first Apple Watch for most people and families
- Price landscape and how long the Apple Watch SE 2 lasts
- Bottom line: the Apple Watch SE 2 remains the best value
Indeed, that value proposition is reflected in the market data. The industry’s tracking firms such as IDC and Counterpoint Research regularly place Apple smartwatches at the peak in terms of shipments or revenue or even around there, powered by SE models that can get newbies to the ecosystem. The SE 2 hits the trifecta of price, quality, and compatibility.
What You Actually Give Up on the Apple Watch SE 2
The SE 2 skips a few headline health sensors: there’s no ECG app, blood oxygen readings, or wrist temperature tracking, and you won’t get an always-on display. For many people, those omissions are easier to live with than they sound. However, you get high-impact safety features like Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, and Crash Detection and notifications for high and low heart rate and irregular rhythm.
Apple’s irregular rhythm notifications are powered by optical heart rate sensing and have been the subject of large-scale research spearheaded by Stanford Medicine, with meaningful utility in the real world even without ECG. Storage is a roomy 32GB for apps and music; there’s no U1 chip for precision finding, but the essentials—Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, GPS, and optional cellular—work well.
Performance and battery life that just work every day
The SE 2 is powered by an S8-class processor that feels snappy—swipes are fluid, Siri requests resolve quickly, and third-party apps launch without drama. It runs the latest watchOS for SE, including new workout views, safety enhancements, and the Fitness app improvements most folks will notice.
Battery life is rated at up to 18 hours, and I can confirm that’s what I see in practice. With mixed use—notifications, a GPS workout, and music streaming—I consistently go to bed with charge to spare. Low Power Mode extends that further for traveling or overnight hikes, and fast charging fills it back up while you take a shower.
A better first Apple Watch for most people and families
If you’re new to wearables, the SE 2 is a smarter on-ramp than pricier models. It’s simple, durable, and pairs seamlessly with iPhone features you already use: Wallet for transit and payments, Maps for haptics on the wrist, and Reminders and Calendar to keep you on schedule. The display is bright and responsive, and haptics are strong enough to feel without being buzzy.
Families benefit, too. With Family Setup, a parent can provision an SE 2 for a child or older relative who doesn’t have an iPhone, enabling location sharing and Schooltime mode and controlling contacts. For many households, that’s more practical than handing out another phone.
As for fitness, the SE 2 covers the fundamentals: It has accurate GPS for runs and rides, reliable heart rate during workouts, and the watch’s tight integration with Apple Fitness+. The American Heart Association has highlighted how routine activity tracking can lead to improvement in adherence to exercise goals, something that the SE 2 offers a gentle nudge on.
Price landscape and how long the Apple Watch SE 2 lasts
The SE 2 is still sold new at major retailers and often at meaningful discounts, and it periodically hits standout prices during big shopping events. The newer SE 3 lists higher and hasn’t seen widespread cuts; if you’re value-minded, the SE 2 usually wins at the register.
On longevity, Apple’s software support is excellent. The SE 2 supports the latest watchOS generation available to SE models and should receive updates for several years based on Apple’s historical support windows. Bands and accessories are cross-compatible between two sizes, ensuring that your investment is protected.
Bottom line: the Apple Watch SE 2 remains the best value
Could you spend more for extra sensors and an always-on display? Sure. But the Apple Watch SE 2 nails the experience most people actually want, at a price that makes sense. That’s why it’s still my favorite—and why, if you’re buying a new Apple Watch today and watching your budget, it should probably be yours, too.
