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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- After three years, Apple simply upgraded the bottom mannequin Watch SE.
- Regardless of aggressive enhancements, the SE stays a core wearable.
- If you happen to’re coming from an older mannequin SE and need extra, chances are you’ll skip the SE 3 for a Collection 10 or 11.
Apple launches new iPhones yearly, however does not do the identical with its watches. The bottom mannequin Apple Watch SE, in actual fact, had not been refreshed because the launch of the SE 2 in 2022. This 12 months, Apple launched an elevated however reasonably priced choice to compete with the decrease finish of the smartwatch market. The Watch SE 3 is an excellent replace.
It is nonetheless the smallest show, the weakest in brightness, and the most cost effective mannequin total, at $250. However Apple got here to win with the upgrades. The Watch SE 3 has 18-hour battery life and an S10 chip (the identical as within the costlier Watch Collection 10, 11, and Extremely 3 fashions).
This superior chip brings an always-on show, fast-charging, and 5G for the primary time. New to the SE watch is sleep apnea detection and sleep scores, a major replace from the essential sleep knowledge offered by the SE 2.
The SE 3 even provides temperature sensing for customers to trace their menstrual cycle. In fact, it nonetheless retains customers looped into the Apple ecosystem, receiving texts, emails, and extra. It is a fantastically executed refresh that was a lot wanted, and no shock that wearables editor Nina Raemont recommends the mannequin essentially the most.
However I will not be upgrading. Here is why.
The Watch SE 2 nonetheless meets my wants
I dove into this earlier this month with the discharge of the Watch SE 3. It is gorgeous, and admittedly an excellent purchase — for a selected consumer. Raemont famous in her assessment that the Apple Watch SE 3 is the smartwatch for first-time consumers and price range consumers.
I am completely together with her on that. I initially purchased my Watch SE 2 in as an introduction to Apple’s options, and it has been a superb funding for me, particularly since I purchased it on sale for $179. It is served each objective I needed, and it nonetheless does.
Though the numerous upgraded options within the Watch SE 3 are very good (and equally tempting), my wants are on the root of my analysis course of. I purchased a Watch SE 2 to ease myself into sensible wearable territory, generate a life-style shift, and develop into snug with core options with out spending an excessive amount of cash. Virtually two years later, I nonetheless get that from my Watch SE 2.
If something, I’ve had time to know what different options I might want in a future sensible wearable, and I acknowledge that I would like a bit greater than what Apple’s core lineup is providing — even within the SE 3.
So sure — temperature sensing, sleep scores, and an always-on show are nicer than I’ve now. However I’m nonetheless getting what I would like from my Watch SE 2 whereas deciding on my subsequent greatest wearable. I have been pondering sensible rings, just like the Oura or Ultrahuman rings, and have even thought of upgrading to a Collection 10 or Collection 11. However in the intervening time, I will be sticking with my SE 2. At its core, it nonetheless does the whole lot I need my smartwatch to do.
I need extra options
As talked about above, I’m searching for extra options in my subsequent wearable, and if I will improve, I need to be certain that it has the whole lot I need. My SE 2 was bought with the intent to dabble — a trial run on if a smartwatch might match into my life-style. Practically two years later, I’m getting into the subsequent part in my journey.
The Watch Collection 11 appears to be like like a promising improve for me. It is a bit greater, however nonetheless provides barely elevated options over the SE 3, like longer battery life, blood oxygen monitoring, hypertension notifications, and the ECG app. I believe the Extremely 3 can be too superior for my wants, however I would not rule it out. I am additionally a giant fan of the smooth, jewelry-like design of sensible rings, which supply most of the similar well being and health options because the Apple Watch (sans the textual content syncing), however with out the additional bulk.
In the end, I have never determined what my subsequent sensible wearable can be but, however I would wish to improve in options from what I’ve within the SE 2. That stated, should you’re a first-time wearable consumer seeking to buy for a kid, teen, or aged particular person, I am unable to suggest the SE 3 (and even the SE 2) sufficient. It is a terrific core smartwatch, and Apple has future-proofed the SE 3 for the approaching years.
What I will miss out on by not upgrading
Sure, I’m going to overlook out on some options by not upgrading to the Watch SE 3. I will not get sleep apnea detection, sleep rating, temperature sensing, the always-on show, or quick charging. And I am definitely not getting any of the extra superior Apple Watch options packed into the Collection 11 or Watch Extremely 3, like ECG updates, blood oxygen monitoring, hypertension detection, and emergency SOS through satellite tv for pc.
I do, nevertheless, save myself $250 in the intervening time and maintain attending to benefit from the core options in my Watch SE 2. I additionally acquire extra time to analysis the perfect sensible wearable improve for my life-style (possibly it is a ring… possibly not), and I could save myself some money within the course of.
Plus, by selecting to attend — even when by solely six months or so — it is probably I will be capable of snag a more moderen Apple watch mannequin for $50-70 much less, based mostly on my historic data as ZDNET’s procuring editor.
