Apple Watch SE Vs 7 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?
Apple Watch SE & 7 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Apple Watch 7 rather than the Apple Watch SE.
Why Do I Recommend The Apple Watch 7?
- The Apple Watch 7 has an advanced S7 chip for faster performance, improved health monitoring, & smoother app navigation, compared to the S5 chip in the Apple Watch SE.
- Apple Watch 7 has a larger display with thinner bezels and an Always-On Retina Display that allows to view the watch face without raising their wrist. In contrast, the Apple Watch SE lacks the Always-On display.
- It has an electrical heart sensor for ECG & a Blood Oxygen sensor for in-depth health monitoring, such as detecting irregular heart rhythms and measuring blood oxygen saturation. The Apple Watch SE lacks these features.
- Apple Watch 7 comes with IP6X dust resistance & crack-resistant front crystal for outdoor and rugged environments. The Apple Watch SE lacks dust resistance and is less durable.
- It has a UWB 1 chip, which improves the accuracy of location-based services like Find My Device and supports precision finding to locate lost nearby devices, but the Apple Watch SE has No UWB chip.
- The Series 7 introduces an on-screen QWERTY keyboard, that allows to type messages directly on the watch, while the Apple Watch SE lacks this feature and relies on Scribble.
- It has a new charging architecture that allows it to charge 33% faster than the SE. An 8-minute charge provides up to 8 hours of sleep tracking, making it more convenient for busy schedules.
- It also has enhanced audio quality for better performance for calls, Siri interactions, and Walkie-Talkie functionality. The Apple Watch SE lacks these improvements.
Maybe the Apple Watch SE price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Apple Watch 7. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
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Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | Apple Watch 7 | Apple Watch SE |
| Release Date | September 2021 | September 2020 |
| Display Type | Retina LTPO OLED with Always-On Display | Retina LTPO OLED |
| Display Size | 1.9” | 1.57” |
| Display Resolution | 396 x 484 pixels | 324 x 394 pixels |
| Display Area | 20% larger screen area than SE | Standard display area |
| Display Protection | Crack-resistant front crystal | Ion-X strengthened glass |
| Always-On Display | Yes | No |
| Processor (Chip) | S7 dual-core SiP | S5 dual-core SiP |
| Performance | Up to 20% faster than SE | Standard performance |
| Health Sensors | ECG, SpO2, 3rd gen optical heart sensor | 2nd-gen optical heart sensor |
| ECG App | Yes | No |
| Blood Oxygen App | Yes | No |
| Dust Resistance | IP6X dust resistant | No official rating |
| Charging Speed | 33% faster charging | Standard charging |
| Color Options | More Color | Less Colour |
| Case Finishes | Multiple finishes | Standard finish |
| Keyboard Input | Full QWERTY keyboard | Scribble, Dictation |
| Speaker and Microphone | Enhanced speaker & microphone | Standard speaker & microphone |
| U1 Ultra Wideband Chip | Yes | No |
| Watch Faces | Exclusive watch faces with customization | Limited to standard watch faces |
| Blood Oxygen Notifications | Yes | No |
| Sleep Respiratory Rate | Enhanced with Blood Oxygen sensor | Available with limitations |
| Price | Check Watch 7 Price | Check Watch SE Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Operating System (watchOS): Both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7 run on watchOS, Apple’s proprietary operating system for its wearables. Both models receive updates to the latest version of watchOS, ensuring access to new features, apps, and security enhancements. This makes both watches highly functional and future-proof, with regular software improvements.
- Health and Fitness Features: Both watches offer robust health and fitness tracking, including: Heart Rate Monitoring, Fall Detection, Emergency SOS.
- Water Resistance: Both the Apple Watch SE and Series 7 are water-resistant up to 50 meters, meaning they are swim-proof and suitable for swimming in pools or open water. This feature makes them excellent companions for water-based workouts or activities.
- GPS and Cellular Models: Both watches come in two variants: GPS-only and GPS + Cellular. The GPS + Cellular models allow you to make calls, send texts, and stream music without needing to have your iPhone nearby, making both watches highly versatile for communication on the go.
- Battery Life: Both the Apple Watch SE and Series 7 offer up to 18 hours of battery life, based on typical daily usage, which includes time spent on notifications, apps, fitness tracking, and more. This battery life is suitable for a full day of use, but both models will typically need to be charged overnight.
- Storage Capacity: Both models come with 32GB of internal storage, allowing users to store music, podcasts, apps, and other data directly on the watch. This is especially useful for users who want to leave their phones behind during workouts and still listen to music or podcasts.
- Built-in Sensors: Both the SE and Series 7 share several built-in sensors for tracking activity and environmental changes: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Ambient Light Sensor, Always-On Altimeter.
- Fitness Tracking and Sleep Monitoring: Both models are excellent for tracking daily fitness activities. They feature Apple’s Activity Rings (Move, Exercise, and Stand) and support a variety of workouts in the Workout app. Both watches also offer Sleep Tracking to monitor sleep patterns and provide insights on sleep quality.
- Siri Integration: Both models feature full Siri integration, allowing users to control their watches using voice commands. Siri can be used for setting reminders, sending messages, controlling smart home devices, and more.
- Connectivity Features: Both the SE and Series 7 offer Bluetooth 5.0, which provides a stable connection to your iPhone and other devices. They also support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (though the Series 7 also supports 5 GHz). Both watches can use Wi-Fi for tasks such as updating apps, streaming music, or sending notifications when not connected to your phone via Bluetooth.
- Family Setup Support: Both models support Family Setup, allowing you to set up an Apple Watch for a family member who doesn’t have an iPhone. This feature is particularly useful for children or elderly family members, providing them with key features like emergency calling, activity tracking, and more.
- Apple Pay Support: Both the Apple Watch SE and Series 7 support Apple Pay, enabling contactless payments. Users can easily make purchases using their watch, which is convenient in stores or while commuting.
Common Features
| Feature | Apple Watch 7 | Apple Watch SE |
| Operating System | watchOS 7 | watchOS 7 ( |
| Case Sizes | 45mm | 40mm |
| Fall Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency SOS | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | Up to 50 meters | Up to 50 meters |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Storage Capacity | 32GB | 32GB |
| Compass | Yes | Yes |
| Always-On Altimeter | Yes | Yes |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient Light Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Siri Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Haptic Feedback on Crown | Yes | Yes |
| Family Setup Support | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Fitness Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Cellular and GPS Models | Both available | Both available |
| Notification Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Pay Support | Yes | Yes |
| Third-Party App Support | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Crown | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check Watch 7 Price | Check Watch SE Price |
FAQ
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1. What is the key difference between the display on the Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch Series 7? The Apple Watch SE features a Retina LTPO OLED display, while the Apple Watch Series 7 offers a Retina LTPO OLED display with Always-On functionality. The Series 7’s display is slightly larger, with a 20% bigger screen area due to thinner bezels, and also supports an Always-On Display, allowing users to view the time and complications without needing to raise their wrist. The Series 7 also has a higher resolution and rounded corners for a more immersive experience. 2. Do both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7 support fall detection? Yes, both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7 support fall detection. This feature can detect when the user has a hard fall and automatically alerts emergency services if they do not respond within a set time. 3. Can I use the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7 for swimming? Yes, both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7 are water-resistant up to 50 meters, making them swim-proof. You can use them in the pool or for open-water swimming without worry. However, they are not suitable for activities like scuba diving or high-velocity water sports. 4. Do both watches come with GPS and cellular models? Yes, both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7 are available in two variants: GPS-only and GPS + Cellular. The GPS + Cellular models allow users to make calls, send texts, and use certain apps without needing their iPhone nearby. 5. Are there any differences in battery life between the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7? Both the Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch Series 7 offer up to 18 hours of battery life under normal use. While their battery performance is similar, the Series 7 benefits from faster charging speeds, allowing it to charge 33% faster than the SE, which can be particularly helpful for users who track sleep or need quick charging during the day. 6. Do both models support watchOS updates? Yes, both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7 run on watchOS and are eligible for future updates. This ensures that both models will continue to receive the latest software improvements, new features, and security updates, keeping them future-proof. 7. Can I use the same apps on both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7? Yes, both models run on the same operating system (watchOS), and they support the same apps from the App Store. This means users can install and use third-party apps and Apple-native apps like Messages, Maps, Music, and Fitness on both watches. 8. Do both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7 support Siri? Yes, both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7 support Siri. You can use Siri for various tasks such as setting reminders, sending messages, making calls, or controlling smart home devices. Siri can also respond to questions directly from your wrist on both models. 9. What storage capacity is available on both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7? Both the Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch Series 7 offer 32GB of internal storage. This storage can be used for apps, music, podcasts, and other data, allowing users to access content even when offline or away from their paired iPhone. 10. Are there any differences in connectivity features between the two models? Both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7 support Bluetooth 5.0 and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity. However, the Series 7 has an additional advantage with support for 5GHz Wi-Fi bands, which allows for faster and more stable internet connections. The Series 7 also comes with the U1 Ultra-Wideband chip, which improves precision location tracking and enables features like digital car keys and enhanced AirDrop functionality. 11. Do both models support Apple Pay? Yes, both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7 support Apple Pay. This allows users to make contactless payments directly from their wrist, adding convenience when shopping or commuting without needing to pull out a phone or wallet. 12. Do both watches offer sleep tracking? Yes, both the Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch Series 7 support sleep tracking. This feature allows users to monitor their sleep patterns, track sleep duration, and gain insights into their overall sleep quality. With watchOS, users can also set sleep goals and manage their bedtime routine. 13. Are the watches compatible with the same bands and accessories?Yes, both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7 are compatible with the same watch bands. Apple has designed most of its watch bands to work across different models and case sizes, so you can easily swap bands between the two models as long as you match the case sizes (40mm bands for the SE fit 41mm Series 7, and 44mm bands fit the 45mm Series 7). 14. Do both watches have the same fitness tracking capabilities? Yes, both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7 feature robust fitness tracking capabilities, including activity Rings, Workout app, and tracking for a wide range of exercises like running, cycling, yoga, swimming, and more. Both watches provide real-time metrics like heart rate, calories burned, and duration for most workout types. 15. Is there any difference in the microphone and speaker quality? Both watches feature built-in microphones and speakers for calls, Siri interactions, and alerts. While the Apple Watch Series 7 has an enhanced speaker and microphone setup for clearer calls and better audio quality during interactions, the Apple Watch SE still provides adequate performance for most users. |