Apple Watch Sequence 8 vs Watch SE 2: Which must you purchase?

The Apple Watch Ultra made headlines as the corporate’s newest, largest, and priciest smartwatch so far. However no longer everybody has simply shy of $1,000 to spend on a wearable. For consumers with tighter wallet, the corporate introduced the Sequence 8 and the brand new budget-orientated Apple Watch SE 2. However how do those two fashions stack up, their professionals and cons, and which must you purchase? We resolution this and extra in our Apple Watch Sequence 8 vs Watch SE 2 comparability under.

Let’s get started with the Apple Watch SE 2. It stays probably the most reasonably priced Apple Watch within the lineup. It borrows the case of the unique Watch SE however provides a couple of enhancements. Apple mentions the watch’s rear case now includes a new nylon composite subject matter, which saves some weight. The Sequence 8 is available in stainless-steel or aluminum, with an array of frame colours.

Should you’re looking for the smallest Apple Watch to be had, the Watch SE 2 is your pick out. It’s to be had in 44mm and 40mm case sizes, whilst the Sequence 8 opts for 45mm and 41mm variations. Alternatively, the Watch SE 2’s smaller case does include a couple of compromises. For one, it’s much less sturdy and lacks the sapphire glass coverage you’ll in finding at the Apple Watch Extremely and stainless-steel Sequence 8 fashions. This shouldn’t be an enormous fear, supplied you package your watch in a protective case. The Watch SE 2 additionally packs a much less spectacular OLED display that lacks always-on features and includes a decrease solution.

When it comes to aesthetics, the Apple Watch Sequence 8 and Watch SE 2 are difficult to inform aside. Each fail to see the Extremely’s Motion Button, however they characteristic the virtual crown and tool pusher on their right-hand aspect flanks.

Total, each Apple Watch fashions retain that vintage form. And due to their minute variations, it’ll be beautiful tough for somebody to identify should you personal the less expensive choice must you go for the SE 2.

The similarities between the Apple Watch SE 2 and Sequence 8 lengthen unusually deep.

Apple makes use of its newest S8 chipset in each fashions, so there’s no processing velocity disparity between the 2 units. This is very good information for SE consumers who merely need a watch to run their favourite apps on their wrists with none velocity compromises. Each fashions additionally pack a quoted 18 hours of battery existence consistent with fee, with low-power mode extending that by means of 18 hours. If you need an Apple Watch that lasts a bit of longer, imagine grabbing the Extremely style. Charging velocity is matched around the Sequence 8 and Watch SE 2, with each sprinting from lifeless to an 80% fee inside of 45 mins.

Let’s speak about well being options. The Apple Watch’s sturdy swimsuit is its array of sensors that stay tabs on more than a few aspects of your well-being. However there’s one style you’ll wish to get if that is in particular vital to you. The Apple Watch SE 2 and Sequence 8 characteristic elementary health monitoring apparatus, together with a heart rate sensor, sleep tracking smarts, the brand new crash detection characteristic, fall detection, and menstrual cycle monitoring. Alternatively, the Apple Watch Sequence 8 additionally options an ECG, an SpO2 sensor, and a brand new frame temperature sensor that aids cycle monitoring. The Watch SE 2 misses out on those, making the Sequence 8 the extra complete well being watch.

The Watch SE 2 additionally misses out on ultra-wideband strengthen, a characteristic many won’t want however turns out to be useful should you personal an Apple AirTag.

• Apple Watch SE 2 (GPS): $249 / £259
• Apple Watch SE 2 (LTE): $299 / £319
• Apple Watch Sequence 8 (GPS): $399 / £419
• Apple Watch Sequence 8 (LTE): $499 / £529

The Apple Watch Sequence 8 will value consumers no less than $399, however this will likely range in accordance with what end, dial measurement, band, and connectivity choices you select. There’s an array of colours on be offering, too, together with Starlight, Middle of the night, Silver, and Product Crimson for the aluminum chassis, and Silver, Graphite, and Gold for the chrome steel choice. Retail gross sales kick off on September 16.

Apple Watch SE 2 consumers get a lower cost this time round. Whilst the unique Watch SE retailed for $279, the second one version begins at $249. Apparently, this equals and undercuts its primary competitors — the Garmin Venu Sq 2 ($249) and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 ($279). Colours on be offering come with Middle of the night, Starlight, and Silver, whilst retail gross sales additionally start on September 16.

See additionally: The best Apple Watch bands

The Apple Watch SE 2 is a compelling software for the ones boarding the Apple ecosystem. It suits its pricier sibling’s processing velocity and battery longevity with out costing a fortune. However for $249, you must be expecting some compromises. Apple helps to keep the SE’s value down by means of chopping off the ECG, frame temperature sensor, and SpO2 track from its toolkit, making it a better choice for the ones on the cheap however a much less useful gizmo for monitoring well being.

The Apple Watch Sequence 8 is the most obvious selection if you wish to stay abreast of your center well being, monitor your menstrual cycle a bit of extra carefully, or need a higher, tougher wearable. That stated, those options come at a $150 top rate.

See additionally: The best Apple Watch alternatives

Are you choosing up the Apple Watch SE 2 or Sequence 8? Tell us within the ballot under.