If you are thinking about buying an Apple Watch and are torn between the Apple Watch SE and the Series 8, this article will help you understand the main differences between these two popular Apple smartwatches.
We will delve into everything from design to performance to battery life. Both watches have a solid build quality, with a few minor points that should be noted to make an informed decision. We will also provide our final thoughts, taking into account factors like overall value and cost.
So, whether you are after the newest smartwatch technology or a more cost-effective option that still offers premium features, let us dive into the details of the Apple Watch SE and Series 8.
- Display and Design: Apple Watch SE vs Series 8
- Apple Watch SE vs Series 8: Key Differences
- Connectivity and Performance: Apple Watch SE vs Series 8
- Software and Features: Apple Watch SE (2022) vs Series 8
- Apple Watch SE (2022) vs Series 8: Detailed Specifications
- Battery Life: Apple Watch SE vs Series 8
- Series 8 Boasts a Larger Screen
- Which One Should You Choose?
- People May Ask
- What is the price difference between Apple Watch SE and Series 8?
- What are the design differences between the Apple Watch SE and Series 8?
- What health features does the Apple Watch SE have compared to the Series 8?
- Does the Apple Watch SE always have an on-screen display?
- What is the battery life of the Apple Watch SE compared to the Series 8?
- Which Apple Watch should I buy, the SE or the Series 8?
- Conclusion
Display and Design: Apple Watch SE vs Series 8
The Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Series SE share some similarities, but there are also a few differences. The 2022 Apple Watch Series SE features a thick bezel display design with only an aluminium finish, a design that is similar to its 2020 predecessor, the SE. In contrast, the Apple Watch Series 8 boasts a slightly more luxurious build quality and an edge-to-edge display feature.
The Apple Watch Series SE has a nylon composite and aluminium frame material, making it lighter than the Series 8. It is available in two sizes, 40mm and 44mm, and features Ion-X strengthened glass and a 326ppi resolution for clearer outdoor viewing. It comes in three colours: starlight, midnight, and silver. Plus, it has a peak brightness of 1000 nits, making it easy to read even in bright sunlight.
On the other hand, the Apple Watch Series 8 has a more sophisticated design with more material options. It also comes in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm, and features a sapphire and ceramic back and either a stainless or aluminium steel frame, giving it a sturdy build and a glossy finish. It is available in starlight, midnight, silver, and a special product red edition. It also features Ion-X strengthened glass for protection and a peak brightness of 1000 nits.
One notable feature that the 2022 SE lacks is the Always-on display (AOD).
Apple Watch SE vs Series 8: Key Differences
| Feature | Apple Watch SE | Apple Watch Series 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Cheaper | More expensive |
| Design | Similar to Apple Watch Series 4-6 | Sleeker design |
| Display | Standard | Larger, always-on |
| Health Features | Basic | Extra health-tracking features like blood oxygen saturation readings, wrist temperature measurements, and the ability to take an electrocardiogram |
| Performance | Good | Better |
| Battery Life | All-day | All-day |
| Charging | Standard | Faster |
| Chip | S8 | S8 |
Connectivity and Performance: Apple Watch SE vs Series 8
Both the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Series SE offer connectivity and robust performance features. Whereas the Series SE has some advanced features, the Series 8 provides superior performance.
The Apple Watch Series SE is equipped with the advanced dual-core S8 SiP processor, which is also used in the Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Series 8. This makes it 20% faster than the last generation released in 2020. It also includes advanced features like international roaming and Crash Detection, as well as eSIM support and Bluetooth 5.3 for improved connectivity.
In contrast, the Apple Watch Series 8 is powered by a dual-core CPU, the S8 chipset, and a PowerVR GPU, resulting in a responsive and snappy performance. It features a eMMC 5.1 and 64-bit CPU storage for storage and faster processing. It also includes Bluetooth 5.3 for improved connectivity.
A unique feature of the Series 8 is Apple’s U1 chip, also known as Ultra Wideband, which is absent in the 2022 SE. The U1 chip helps communicate and locate with other U1-equipped devices using Apple’s Find My feature, which can be handy for tasks like unlocking your car with your Apple Watch when you are nearby.
Software and Features: Apple Watch SE (2022) vs Series 8
Both the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Series SE share many similarities. They both operate on the latest watchOS 9, offer a variety of watch faces, and support Apple Pay for secure transactions. They also include emergency SOS, calling features, and crash detection. But, there are some key distinctions in their features.
A notable difference is the temperature sensor. The Apple Watch Series 8 is equipped with new sensors for temperature measurements, which are beneficial for tracking women’s ovulation cycles. Furthermore, the Series 8 checks your temperature in 5 seconds when you sleep, which could be useful for identifying potential health problems. Unfortunately, the Apple Watch SE lacks this sensor.
The watch faces also differ. Whereas both watches offer a wide range, the Series 8 includes two amazing faces, modular and contour, that are not available on the Series SE. These faces can be customized to show the information users want to see at a glance.
The Apple Watch Series 8 has a small benefit over the Series SE regarding some features. The temperature sensor in this edition is a helpful addition, mainly for those interested in wellness tracking and health. However, if the temperature sensor and the two faces of the watch are not important to you, the Apple Watch Series SE is a fantastic option that still delivers a high-end smartwatch experience.
Apple Watch SE (2022) vs Series 8: Detailed Specifications
| Specification | Apple Watch SE (2022) | Apple Watch Series 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $249 / AU$399 | $399 / AU$629 |
| Materials | Aluminum | Aluminum, Stainless Steel |
| Sizes | 40mm, 44mm | 41mm, 45mm |
| Always-On Display | No | Yes |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters | 50 meters |
| Health Sensors | Heart Rate | ECG, Heart Rate, Blood Oxygen, Temperature Sensing |
| Safety Features | Fall Detection, Crash Detection, Emergency SOS | Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, Crash Detection |
| Connectivity | LTE, Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi, GPS | LTE, Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi, GPS |
| Battery Life | 18 hours | 18 hours (36 with low power mode) |
| OS | upgradable to watchOS 10.2, watchOS 9.0 | upgradable to watchOS 10.2, watchOS 9.0 |
| Chipset | Apple S8 | Apple S8 |
| CPU | Dual-core | Dual-core |
| GPU | PowerVR | PowerVR |
| Memory | 32GB, 1GB RAM | 32GB, 1GB RAM |
Battery Life: Apple Watch SE vs Series 8
In terms of battery life, both the Apple Watch SE and Series 8 offer similar standby times of 18 hours, with minor variations.
The Apple Watch Series SE is powered by a 296mAh battery that lasts about 18 hours on one charge. It gives 6 hours with GPS, 10 hours of audio playback, and 5 hours with both LTE and GPS active. It can reach 80% charge in 1.5 hours and a full charge in 2.5 hours. Despite the considerable charging time, it offers good battery life, considering the watch’s budget-friendly price.
In contrast, the Apple Watch Series 8 has a little larger 308mAh battery that lasts up to 18 hours in single charge. It gives 7 hours of outdoor workout using GPS, 11 hours of indoor workout, 11 hours of audio playback, and 6 hours with both LTE and GPS active. The Series 8 charges faster than the Series SE, getting 80% charge in just 45 minutes and a full charge in 75 minutes.
Overall, while the Apple Watch Series SE’s battery life is impressive given its price, the Apple Watch Series 8 offers good battery life with quicker charging times and longer workout times.
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Series 8 Boasts a Larger Screen
The Series 8 is available in 41mm and 45mm. Similar to the new iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max, the Series 8 features an always-on display, allowing you to view the time even when your watch is not active. You have the option to select a case made of either a stainless or aluminium. The aluminium version is available in black, tan, silver, and red, while the stainless steel version comes in black, silver, and gold.
The second-generation Apple Watch SE is only available in aluminium and comes in either 44mm or 40mm sizes. It does not feature the always-on display and is available in black, tan, and silver.
Although the aluminum may appear slightly less premium, it’s worth noting that the manufacturing process for the 2022 SE reduces carbon emissions by over 80%.
SE Offers Fewer Health Features, But Important Ones The SE includes heart rate monitoring and fall detection, while the Series 8 can measure blood oxygen levels and includes an ECG app to monitor heart rhythms.
The Series 8 also features a new temperature sensor that facilitates menstrual cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates.
While it is commendable that Apple has integrated women’s health into the new watch, the utility of retrospective ovulation for women trying to conceive is questionable. Other wearables like Ava Fertility provide data on active ovulation, which is more useful for women trying to develop.
The new SE can alert users to unusually high or low heart rates or irregular rhythms, a feature that Apple claims has saved lives.
One notable advancement in the Series 8 is AFib monitoring, which can help diagnose atrial fibrillation, the most common type of irregular heartbeat.
Both watches offer comprehensive sleep tracking, but the smaller and lighter SE is slightly more comfortable to wear to bed.
Both the SE and Series 8 feature the new crash detection.
Which One Should You Choose?
The SE offers great value if you are new to smartwatches and only need basic functions like notifications and activity monitoring. If you are concerned about your health and want early warnings if things may be going wrong, the Series 8 may offer some added peace of mind.
The SE is also an excellent choice for a child who is too young for a smartphone. If you do not want them to use social media or text but want to track their location and contact them in an emergency, the SE is a good option.
If you already own a recent-model Apple Watch, we would not recommend upgrading. We barely noticed a difference when using the Series 8 compared to Series 7 or even the Series 5. The new health tracking features, like the temperature sensor, don’t seem significant enough to justify the price, especially since ovulation tracking is retrospective.
People May Ask
What is the price difference between Apple Watch SE and Series 8?
The Apple Watch SE costs $249 for the 40mm GPS version and $309 for the 44mm case. If you want an LTE version, the 40mm model starts at $329 and the 44mm version is $359.
On the other hand, the Apple Watch Series 8 is available with a starting price of $399 for the 41mm, GPS-only model and $499 for the GPS + Cellular version.
So, the price difference between the base models of Apple Watch SE and Series 8 is $150 ($399 – $249), and for the LTE versions, it is $140 ($499 – $359). Please note that prices may vary based on the specific configuration and location. It is always a good idea to check the latest prices on the official Apple website or authorized retailers.
What are the design differences between the Apple Watch SE and Series 8?
The Apple Watch Series 8 and SE are similar in design. However, the Series 8 offers a slightly larger display with either a 41mm or 45mm display, compared to the SE’s 40mm or 44mm.
What health features does the Apple Watch SE have compared to the Series 8?
The SE includes heart rate monitoring and fall detection, while the Series 8 can measure blood oxygen levels and has an ECG app to monitor heart rhythms and a new temperature sensor.
Does the Apple Watch SE always have an on-screen display?
The Apple Watch SE does not feature an always-on display, unlike the Series 8.
What is the battery life of the Apple Watch SE compared to the Series 8?
Both watches offer an “all-day” battery life of up to 18 hours. However, the Series 8 charges faster and lasts up to 36 hours in low-power mode.
Which Apple Watch should I buy, the SE or the Series 8?
The SE offers great value if you are new to smartwatches and only need basic functions like notifications and activity monitoring. If you are concerned about your health and want early warnings if things may be going wrong, the Series 8 may offer some added peace of mind.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the Apple Watch Series SE 2022 and the Apple Watch Series 8 offer remarkable functionality and features. The choice between the two ultimately depends on your preferences and requirements.
If you are seeking a more budget-friendly option that still delivers robust performance, the Apple Watch Series SE 2022 is an excellent choice. It features dual-core advanced processor as the Series 8, which makes it faster than its predecessor. Although its battery life is not as long as the Series 8’s, it still provides a commendable 18 hours of all-day battery life.
On the other hand, if you value durability and the latest features with the most recent chipset, the Apple Watch Series 8 is the better choice. Its sapphire and ceramic back and its stainless or aluminum steel frame make it one of the most durable watches available. However, bear in mind that it costs almost 40% more than the Watch SE.
In the end, both watches are excellent options. Consider your priorities and choose the one that best suits your needs.
