Apple Watch SE Vs Series 5 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Apple Watch SE & Series 5 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 5 rather than Apple Watch SE.

Why Do I Recommend Apple Watch 5

  • The Apple Watch 5 has an Always-On Retina display, which help to view watch face anytime without having to raise your wrist or touch the watch. But the SE requires wrist movement or tapping to activate.
  • Apple Watch 5 includes ECG features for advanced & more accurate heart health insights, while the SE lacks this functionality.
  • It offers IP6X dust resistance along with WR50, which prevents damage from dust, while the SE only has WR50 water resistance.
  • The Apple Watch 5 has Haptic Feedback feature on the Digital Crown, which helps to navigate more accurately & offers a more tactile user experience, while the SE lacks this functionality.
  • It offers more premium material choices like Stainless steel, Titanium & Aluminum so the watch can last long, while the SE is only use aluminum.
  • The Series 5 also supports fast charging, allowing it to charge more quickly than the SE.

Maybe the Apple Watch SE price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Apple Watch 5. 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

FeatureApple Watch Series 5Apple Watch SE
Display TypeLTPO OLED Retina Display (Always-On)LTPO OLED Retina Display (no Always-On)
Always-On DisplayYesNo
ChipsetS5 dual-core processorS5 dual-core processor
ECG MonitoringYesNo
Heart Rate MonitoringOptical heart sensor, includes ECGOptical heart sensor, no ECG
Digital CrownDigital Crown with haptic feedbackDigital Crown without haptic feedback
Material OptionsAluminum, Stainless Steel, Titanium, CeramicAluminum only
Charging TimeApproximately 2 hoursApproximately 2.5 hours
Dust ResistanceYesNo
ECG AppYesNo
Third-Generation Optical Heart SensorNoNo
ColorsWider range of colors availableLimited colors 
Fitness TrackingAdvanced health sensors Standard fitness tracking features
Health MetricsECG, Heart RateHeart Rate only
PriceCheck Watch 5 PriceCheck Watch SE Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Display Technology and Brightness: Both the Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch SE feature LTPO OLED Retina displays with 1000 nits of brightness, making them equally vibrant, bright, and readable in various lighting conditions. While the Series 5 has the Always-On functionality, the core display quality in terms of resolution, color accuracy, and brightness is identical. This ensures a premium visual experience regardless of the model.
  • S5 Processor: Both models use the S5 dual-core processor, meaning they deliver nearly identical performance in terms of app responsiveness, multitasking, and smooth interactions. Whether you’re using apps, tracking workouts, or navigating the interface, the speed and fluidity of both the Series 5 and SE are the same.
  • Water Resistance: Both watches are water-resistant up to 50 meters, allowing users to wear them while swimming or engaging in water-related activities without concern. This makes them equally durable and functional for fitness enthusiasts or casual swimmers.
  • Health and Fitness Tracking: Both watches offer comprehensive fitness and health tracking, including heart rate monitoring, automatic workout detection, and activity rings. They both support tracking of various workout types, ensuring users can monitor their fitness goals with equal accuracy. While the Series 5 has additional ECG functionality, the core fitness experience, including step counts, calories burned, and workout metrics, remains the same.
  • Battery Life: With a battery life of up to 18 hours, both models provide a full day of use, including workout tracking, notifications, and app usage. Even though the Series 5 has an Always-On Display, the battery life for general use is comparable across both models, meaning users won’t notice a significant difference in daily battery longevity.
  • Emergency Features: Both watches include Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, and International Emergency Calling, offering the same level of safety and emergency response. These features are critical for user security and function equally well on both models, ensuring that users are protected in case of accidents or emergencies.
  • GPS & GPS + Cellular Options: Both the Series 5 and SE are available in GPS-only and GPS + Cellular options, providing flexibility for users based on their needs. The GPS + Cellular models allow for standalone use without needing an iPhone nearby, which is ideal for those who want to make calls, send messages, or stream music on the go without carrying their phone. Since both models offer the same cellular and GPS functionality, users can expect the same level of connectivity and freedom from either watch.
  • Storage Capacity: Both the Series 5 and SE come with 32GB of storage, which allows users to store apps, music, and other data directly on their watch. Whether you want to download a playlist for offline listening or install multiple apps, both models provide sufficient storage for most users’ needs. This similarity ensures that neither watch has an advantage in terms of space for data or media.
  • Siri Integration: With Siri integration, both watches allow users to control their Apple Watch via voice commands. Whether setting reminders, sending messages, starting workouts, or checking the weather, the experience of interacting with Siri is identical on both the Series 5 and SE. This feature enhances convenience and hands-free control for users of both models.
  • Family Setup: For users with the GPS + Cellular models, both the Series 5 and SE support Family Setup, which allows parents to set up and manage Apple Watches for children or elderly family members who may not have an iPhone. This feature provides similar utility and flexibility on both watches, making them suitable for family members who need basic connectivity and safety features without the need for a separate smartphone.

Common Features

FeatureApple Watch Series 5Apple Watch SE
Display TechnologyLTPO OLED Retina DisplayLTPO OLED Retina Display
Display Brightness1000 nits1000 nits
ProcessorS5 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processorS5 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor
Fall DetectionYesYes
Emergency SOSYesYes
International Emergency CallingYesYes
Heart Rate MonitoringOptical heart sensorOptical heart sensor
Water ResistanceWater-resistant up to 50 metersWater-resistant up to 50 meters
GPS & GPS + Cellular OptionsAvailable in GPS and GPS + Cellular versionsAvailable in GPS and GPS + Cellular versions
CompassYesYes
Storage Capacity32GB32GB
Battery LifeUp to 18 hoursUp to 18 hours
Fitness Tracking FeaturesYesYes
Sleep TrackingYesYes
Siri IntegrationYesYes
Workout DetectionYesYes
Family SetupYes (GPS + Cellular model)Yes (GPS + Cellular model)
PriceCheck Watch 5 PriceCheck Watch SE Price

FAQ

Do both the Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch SE have the same display technology?

Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 5 and SE use the same LTPO OLED Retina display technology. This ensures vibrant colors, sharp details, and excellent brightness levels up to 1000 nits. However, the Series 5 has the added benefit of an Always-On Display, while the SE does not.

Which processor do the Apple Watch Series 5 and SE use?

Both the Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch SE are powered by the S5 dual-core processor. This means that both models provide similar performance in terms of speed, app responsiveness, and multitasking capabilities.

Do both watches support Fall Detection and Emergency SOS?

Yes, both the Series 5 and SE support Fall Detection and Emergency SOS. These safety features work equally well on both models. Fall Detection can alert emergency services if the watch detects a hard fall, and Emergency SOS allows users to quickly contact emergency services by pressing and holding the side button.

Is there a difference in water resistance between the Apple Watch Series 5 and SE?

No, both the Apple Watch Series 5 and SE have the same water resistance rating of up to 50 meters. This makes both models suitable for swimming and water-based activities. Whether you choose the Series 5 or the SE, you’ll be able to use the watch for tracking swimming workouts without any issue.

Can I use both watches for fitness and health tracking?

Yes, both watches are equipped with excellent fitness and health tracking features. They both offer heart rate monitoring, workout tracking, activity rings, automatic workout detection, and sleep tracking. However, the Series 5 provides more advanced health tracking with its ECG app, which the SE lacks.

Do both watches have the same storage capacity?

Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 5 and SE offer 32GB of internal storage. This allows users to store apps, music, podcasts, and other data directly on the watch without needing constant connection to an iPhone.

Can I use both the Series 5 and SE with watchOS updates?

Yes, both the Series 5 and SE are compatible with the latest version of watchOS. This means that they receive the same software updates, features, and security improvements. Both watches will continue to be supported by Apple in terms of software, ensuring they stay up to date with new features.

Is the battery life the same for both models?

Yes, both the Series 5 and SE offer up to 18 hours of battery life. This provides a full day of usage for most users. While the Series 5’s Always-On Display can slightly reduce battery life under certain conditions, the overall battery performance between the two models is very similar.

Can I use both the Series 5 and SE for Family Setup?

Yes, both the Series 5 and SE support Family Setup (available on GPS + Cellular models). Family Setup allows users to set up Apple Watches for children or elderly family members without needing them to have an iPhone. Both models offer the same functionality in this regard, making them equally suitable for family management.

Do both watches come with GPS and GPS + Cellular options?

Yes, both the Series 5 and SE are available in GPS-only and GPS + Cellular versions. The GPS + Cellular models allow users to stay connected without having their iPhone nearby, enabling calls, messages, and data usage directly from the watch.

Is there a difference in the user interface experience between the two watches?

No, the overall user interface experience is very similar between the Apple Watch Series 5 and SE. Both watches run the same watchOS, offering identical app layouts, features, and functionality. However, the Series 5’s Always-On Display adds a slight usability difference by allowing information to remain visible even when the wrist is down.

Which watch is better for advanced health tracking?

The Apple Watch Series 5 is better suited for advanced health tracking because it includes the ECG app, which can detect irregular heart rhythms and provide more detailed heart health information. The SE lacks the ECG feature but still offers comprehensive fitness tracking with heart rate monitoring, making it a good choice for general fitness users.

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