In comparison: Apple Watch Series 8 versus the new Apple Watch SE | AppleInsider

The Apple Watch SE is an affordable model for buyers on a budget or parents who want to buy an Apple Watch for their kids. On the other hand, the Apple Watch Series 8 has more advanced features that could make it a worthwhile upgrade from the Apple Watch Series 7 or older.

The size of the Apple Watch SE hasn’t changed from previous models and comes in 40 and 44mm options. The Apple Watch Series 8 is available in larger display sizes of 41mm and 45mm, which were introduced with the Apple Watch Series 7.

As a budget option, the Apple Watch SE comes in aluminum only, while the Apple Watch Series 8 comes in aluminum and stainless steel.

Apple has redesigned the case back of the Apple Watch SE 2022 to use a new production process that reduces CO2 emissions by over 80%. It’s made from a nylon composite material that makes it lighter than previous models.

The company did not say how the new production process differs from the old one.

The redesigned compass app offers more detailed information and new zoomable views

The 40mm model of the Apple Watch SE measures 40mm x 34mm x 10.7mm. The GPS variant weighs 26.4 grams and the cellular model 27.8 grams.

The 41mm model of the Apple Watch Series 8 measures 41mm x 35mm x 10.7mm and the 45mm model measures 45mm x 38mm x 10.7mm.

The 41mm Apple Watch Series 8 weighs 32 grams (aluminum, GPS, GPS + Cellular) and 42.3 grams for stainless steel. The larger 45mm size weighs 38.8 grams (Aluminum, GPS, GPS + Cellular) and 51.5 grams for stainless steel.

The two models share the same display and achieve a brightness of up to 1,000 nits. The screen is Retina Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide (LTPO) OLED.

Due to their physical size differences, many resolutions play a role between the two models.

The Apple Watch SE has a 324 x 394 display for the 40mm model, 368 x 448 for the 44mm version. Meanwhile, the Series 8 uses a 352 x 430 resolution display for the 41mm version and a 396 x 484 resolution for the 45mm version.

The Apple Watch Series 8 has an always-on display that can be read at any time. The Apple Watch SE doesn’t have this feature, so you only see the display if you wake it up, typically by raising your wrist.

Despite being a low-budget model, the Apple Watch SE 2022 received the latest S8 processor found in the Apple Watch Series 8. This makes it up to 20% faster than the Apple Watch SE 2020.

The Apple Watch Series 8 contains Apple’s U1 (Ultra Wideband) chip. This enables location tracking and discoverability when lost in the Find My app and other location-based features. The Apple Watch SE does not have this chip.

The Apple Watch Series 8 features a third-generation optical heart sensor, an electrical heart sensor for the EKG app, a blood oxygen sensor, and a new temperature sensor. The temperature sensor enables menstrual cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimation.

A temperature feature of the Apple Watch Series 8

Temperature measurement includes a sensor on the back of the watch, closest to the skin, and another just below the display to reduce distortion from the environment.

The Apple Watch SE features a second-generation optical heart sensor that can alert users to abnormally high or low heart rates or irregular rhythms. Unfortunately, it cannot take an EKG, so no AFib results are available for the device.

The Apple Watch SE battery life is up to 18 hours, and the Apple Watch Series 8 can normally reach an identical 18 hours, up to 36 hours in sleep mode.

Each model includes a magnetic USB-C charging cable. The Apple Watch Series 8 can fast charge while the Apple Watch SE cannot.

Both Apple Watch models have fall detection. Introduced in 2018 with the Apple Watch Series 4, it uses the accelerometer to determine if a person has taken a bad fall and asks what happened.

Crash detection on the Apple Watch Series 8

If it was a false alarm or the wearer fell but is not injured, they can tap the “I’m fine” button on the display. If the person doesn’t tap “I’m OK,” Apple Watch automatically contacts emergency services after a period of time, about a minute.

Both models also come with Crash Detection, a new feature that uses various sensors and a microphone to detect if the wearer has been in a serious car accident. This feature, included in watchOS 9, can also automatically notify emergency services if the wearer is unresponsive.

The Apple Watch SE 2022 is available in Midnight, Starlight and Silver. The aluminum model of the Apple Watch Series 8 is available in Midnight, Starlight, Silver and (PRODUCT)RED. Stainless steel is available in graphite, silver and gold.

Both models come with 32GB of storage, with no other storage options.

Apple dropped the starting price of the 2022 Apple Watch SE to now $249 for the smaller 40mm size with Wi-Fi connectivity. Switching to cellular adds $50 to the cost, while cellular costs an additional $30, which together can bring the base cost to $329.

Apple Watch Series 8 (PRODUCT)RED

Pricing for each model also depends on what type of band is included. For example, an aluminum Apple Watch Series 8 with a Solo Loop band starts at $399, while a stainless steel model with a Sport Loop band starts at $699. A stainless steel Apple Watch Series 8 with a leather link band starts at $749.

The Apple Watch SE is an obvious choice for budget-conscious buyers. Given the small gap between the SoC in both units, this isn’t a significant upgrade over the Apple Watch SE 2020 model.

The Apple Watch Series 8 brings a faster SoC, better battery life and a new sensor.

Apple Watch SE 2020 owners might be tempted by the new Crash Detection feature. It comes with watchOS 9 but requires updated components only found in new Apple Watch models.

For new and existing customers, the new temperature sensor could be a reason for women to buy the Apple Watch Series 8. Apple has been promoting the temperature sensor for women’s health, but it’s likely to have other uses in the future.

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