Tested product: Apple Watch SE
Sockets: (gps versions): 40 mm: SEK 3,395 to Webhallen. 45 mm: From SEK 3,648 via Prisjakt.
Let’s point out right away that if you already own an Apple Watch SE and are thinking of buying a new one, don’t. You won’t notice any difference.
Rated 4 out of 5
Opinion
There aren’t many new features in the Apple Watch SE, except that it has received crash detection and a new processor. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad smartwatch, quite the contrary. It costs more than SEK 2,000 less than the 8 Series and can basically do the same. This is not a watch for those with the latest generation SE, this is a smartwatch for those who do not have one.
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Positive
- Crash detection
- Good entry level model
- Lots of features
- Cheap
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Negative
- Unable to measure the oxygen level in the blood
- Battery life
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The Apple Watch SE is Apple’s entry model into the world of watches. It comes in two different sizes, 40 and 44mm, which means a case that is one millimeter smaller than Apple Watch Series 8 (which are respectively 41 and 45 millimeters).
Appearance-wise, it looks like the previous SE model and it takes a close inspection to distinguish it from the 8 Series. The most obvious thing is that the 8 Series has an always-on display, something the SE lacks.
But if you take off the watch, you will see that the back is different from the previous model. The new Apple Watch SE has a new composite nylon back, which makes the watch lighter.
Read also: Test: iPhone 14 – an iPhone for people
How much easier is it? Well, a couple of grams. Instead of 36.4, it now weighs 33 grams. Will you notice a difference? Hardly.
The processor
Inside, other things happened. The Apple Watch SE has now received the S8 SiP chip with a 2-core 64-bit processor. According to Apple, it’s up to 20% faster than the previous generation.
Will you notice a difference? Well, the first generation SE wasn’t exactly robust. But if we focus on the new SE, we can tell you that it finds the GPS signal quickly, significantly much faster than the activity bracelets we tested. As soon as you go out, it has a GPS signal.
The watch can obviously reflect what is happening on your phone. If you get a text message, it vibrates just enough to get you noticed. The same thing if your phone rings or if you receive a chat message, for example, from Messenger.
You can allow or deny notifications on your watch by setting them in the Apple Watch app.
Swim and dive
The watch has the same IP certification as the Series 8, you can safely jump into the pool or swim in the sea with it. It can handle depths of up to 50 meters. And when we’re still in the water, we can tell you that it automatically detects if you practice swimming, which the Series 8 does too.
The same automatic detection is available for running, walking, biking and more. It has the same great training features as its big brother, the 8 Series.
On the back is an optical heart sensor that measures the pulse and heart rate. What you cannot do with SE is take an ECG or measure the oxygen level in the blood.
The GSM version is the best
If you buy the GSM version, which we recommend, you can order an e-SIM from your operator and then make and receive calls, SMS, e-mails and more. It also makes it easier when you work out, now you don’t have to drag your phone around to record your run. Apple Watch SE gives you distance, time, number of steps and calories burned.
Calls actually sound better than expected through the watch’s small speaker. We also didn’t complain about the sound quality during calls.
Read also: iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max: slightly better, much more expensive
The memory in the watch is 32 gigabytes, which is more than enough. You can download music from Spotify to the watch via the phone app. If you use Apple’s Music, you can do it right in the watch.
According to Apple, the battery life is up to a modest 18 hours. But if you use it sparingly, you can get up to 24 hours.
Crash detection
What distinguishes this SE generation from the previous one is above all that it has received crash detection. The watch’s accelerometer and gyroscope, combined with the microphone and intelligent algorithms can detect if you end up in a car accident. Apple used real collision data to develop the feature.
We hope you don’t have to use it. If you’re unfortunate enough to end up in a serious car accident, the Apple Watch SE senses it and calls 112 for help.
Is a single new feature really enough to buy an Apple Watch SE? No of course not. This is a smartwatch for those of you who don’t already have an Apple Watch or for those of you who want to equip your child with one.
This is a really good smartwatch for those of you who have always been curious about it but have been put off by the price. As a training partner, it is simply brilliant.
However, you must have an iPhone to use Apple Watch (all series), unless you use Family Sharing. Through it, for example, a child who does not own an iPhone can use the watch.
Specifications
Template: Apple Watch SE
Tested: September 2022
Producer: Apple
Processor: 64-bit S8 dual core processor.
Screen: Retina (LTPO OLED) 324 x 394 pixels (40 mm), 368 x 448 pixels (44 mm). Maximum 1 000 nits.
Storage: 32 GB
Communication: W3 wireless circuit. Wi-Fi: 802.11b / g / n 2.4GHz, bluetooth 5.0, built-in GPS. Also available with 4G connection.
To measure: 40 x 34 x 10.7mm (40mm boett), 44 x 38 x 10.7mm (44mm boett).
Weight: Aluminum: 41mm: 33g, 45mm: 27.8g
Other: Optical heart rate monitor, gyroscope, altimeter, accelerometer. IP6X dustproof, waterproof up to 50 meters. A bracelet is included.
rec. price (gps versions): 40 mm: SEK 3,395 to Webhallen. 45 mm: From SEK 3,648 via Prisjakt.
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