Apple Watch SE & Series 9 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 9 rather than the Apple Watch SE.

Why Do I Recommend The Apple Watch 9

  • The Apple Watch 9 has an advanced S9 chip with a 4-core Neural Engine for faster performance, improved health monitoring, & smoother app navigation, compared to the S8 chip in the Apple Watch SE
  • Apple Watch 9 has a maximum of 2,000 nits brightness to read in harsh sunlight & perfect for outdoors, which is twice the specification of the Series SE’s 1000 nits.
  • It introduced the UWB 2 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.
  • It features a Double Tap gesture, which performs actions like answering calls, stopping alarms, or interacting with notifications without physically touching the screen, while the Apple Watch SE has basic swipe and press controls.
  • In Series 9, Siri is processed on the device itself without connecting to the internet, offering faster command responses, & controlling smart home devices, while the Apple Watch SE is slow.
  • The Apple Watch 9 has 64GB of storage for more space to store a lot of music, podcasts, apps, and fitness data offline, but the Series SE offers only 32GB storage.
  • It also offers Bluetooth 5.3 to improve connectivity stability and reduce power consumption, ensuring better performance during calls or listening music compared to Bluetooth 5.0 in Series Apple Watch SE. 

Maybe the Apple Watch SE price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Apple Watch 9. 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 9Apple Watch SE
Launch Year20232022
Display TypeAlways-On Retina LTPO OLED displayRetina LTPO OLED display 
BrightnessUp to 2,000 nits Up to 1,000 nits 
ProcessorS9 SiPS8 SiP 
Neural Engine4-core neural engine Dual-core neural engine
UWB (Ultra-Wideband)2nd Gen UWB ChipNo UWB chip
Siri PerformanceOn-device Siri processingCloud-based Siri processing
Health SensorsBlood Oxygen, ECG, Optical heart sensorOptical heart sensor only
Temperature SensorYesNo temperature sensor
ECG and Blood MonitoringAvailable (ECG, SpO2 monitoring)No ECG or Blood Oxygen sensor
Compass and AltimeterAdvanced Compass Standard compass
Case MaterialAluminum & Stainless SteelAluminum only
Case Sizes41mm and 45mm40mm and 44mm
Dust ResistanceIP6X certified No dust resistance 
Display GlassIon-X Glass, Sapphire Crystal Ion-X Glass 
Color OptionsMore ColourLess Colour
Storage Capacity64GB internal storage32GB internal storage
Charging SpeedFaster chargingSlower than Series 9
Find My IntegrationUWB chip Standard GPS-based 
Haptic FeedbackAdvanced Haptic feedbackStandard Haptic feedback
Connection Bluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.0
On-Wrist Display ControlsDouble-tap gesture No double-tap gesture 
PriceCheck Watch 9 PriceCheck Watch SE Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Operating System: Both the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch SE run the same watchOS 10, ensuring that users experience the same core Apple Watch features, including the updated user interface, redesigned apps, widgets, and fitness tracking capabilities.
  • Heart Rate Monitoring: Both models come with an optical heart sensor that continuously monitors your heart rate throughout the day and during workouts. This ensures accurate fitness tracking and provides important health data, such as resting heart rate and heart rate variability, for both watches.
  • Fall Detection and Crash Detection: Both watches offer Fall Detection and Crash Detection. These features can detect when the wearer has fallen hard or been involved in a car accident, and they automatically send out an emergency alert, offering help via Emergency SOS if the wearer does not respond.
  • Emergency SOS and Family Setup: Both models feature Emergency SOS, allowing users to call emergency services directly from their watch, and Family Setup, which lets you set up and manage watches for family members who do not have their own iPhones.
  • Water Resistance: Both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch SE are rated for 50 meters of water resistance, making them swim-proof and suitable for use in pools or open water.
  • GPS and Fitness Tracking: Built-in GPS is present on both models, enabling accurate tracking of outdoor workouts like running, cycling, and hiking without the need for an iPhone. Both watches also offer a full suite of fitness tracking features, including steps, calories burned, and distance covered.
  • Workout and Fitness Features: Both the Series 9 and SE support multiple workout modes, covering activities such as running, cycling, swimming, and strength training. They are compatible with Apple Fitness+, which provides guided workouts and integrates directly with the fitness data on the watch.
  • Battery Life and Low Power Mode: Both watches offer up to 18 hours of standard battery life on a single charge, with the ability to extend up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode. This makes both models suitable for day-long usage, including fitness tracking, notifications, and GPS-based activities.
  • Connectivity and Cellular Options: Both the Series 9 and the SE are available in GPS-only and GPS + Cellular configurations, allowing users to stay connected without needing their iPhone nearby. This is useful for taking calls, sending messages, and streaming music directly from the watch when out and about.
  • Safety and Health Alerts: Both models can alert users to high or low heart rates, as well as irregular heart rhythms (which could indicate atrial fibrillation). These features help users stay aware of potential health concerns.
  • Apple Pay: Apple Pay is supported on both watches, enabling contactless payments via NFC. This allows for seamless payments in stores, public transport, or vending machines.
  • App Store and Music Streaming: Both watches give users direct access to the App Store, where they can download third-party apps directly onto their watch. Additionally, both models support Apple Music, allowing users to stream or store music for offline listening.
  • Find My Integration: Both watches integrate with Find My, Apple’s network for tracking lost or stolen devices. Users can easily locate their watch, iPhone, or other Apple devices via the Find My app, making it convenient for recovering misplaced items.
  • Voice Memos and Walkie-Talkie: Features like Voice Memos and Walkie-Talkie are available on both models, allowing for quick communication and audio recording directly from the watch.
  • Family Sharing and Siri Support: Family Sharing is supported on both models, meaning multiple family members can share an Apple Watch and its health data under one account. Siri is also available on both, providing hands-free control for setting reminders, sending messages, or checking the weather.

Common Features

FeatureApple Watch 9Apple Watch SE
Operating SystemwatchOS 10watchOS 10
Heart Rate MonitoringOptical heart sensorOptical heart sensor
Fall DetectionYesYes
Crash DetectionYesYes
Emergency SOSYesYes
Family SetupSupported Supported 
Water Resistance50 meters50 meters 
GPS CapabilitiesBuilt-in GPS Built-in GPS 
CompassBuilt-in compassBuilt-in compass
AltimeterAlways-on altimeterAlways-on altimeter
Wi-FiWi-Fi connectivityWi-Fi connectivity
Cellular OptionGPS + Cellular available GPS + Cellular available
Battery Life18 hours 18 hours 
Low Power ModeYesYes
Workout ModesMultiple workout modesMultiple workout modes
Sleep TrackingYesYes
App Store AccessDirect access to the App StoreDirect access to the App Store
Voice DictationYesYes
Music StreamingSupports Apple Music Supports Apple Music 
Notification SystemFull notification support Full notification support
Apple PayYes (via NFC)Yes (via NFC)
Fitness+ SupportYesYes
Family Sharing YesYes
PriceCheck Watch 9 PriceCheck Watch SE Price

FAQ

  1. Do both watches support the same operating system?

Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch SE run on the same operating system, watchOS 10. This means they share the same software features, apps, and user interface, including the redesigned apps and widget functionality introduced in watchOS 10.

  1. Is the battery life the same for both models?

Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch SE offer up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge under normal usage. Additionally, both watches can extend battery life up to 36 hours using Low Power Mode, which reduces certain functionalities to save power.

  1. Do both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch SE have health-tracking features?

Yes, both watches have robust health-tracking features, including heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, workout modes, and sleep tracking. However, the Apple Watch Series 9 offers more advanced health sensors, such as the ECG (electrocardiogram) and blood oxygen sensor, along with temperature sensing for cycle tracking, which the Apple Watch SE does not have.

  1. Are both models water-resistant?

Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch SE are water-resistant up to 50 meters, making them swim-proof. This means you can wear either watch while swimming, showering, or engaging in water-based activities.

  1. Can I use cellular capabilities on both the Series 9 and SE models?

Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch SE offer models with GPS + Cellular capabilities. This allows you to make calls, send messages, and use apps even when your iPhone is not nearby, as long as the watch is connected to a cellular network.

  1. Do both watches support Family Setup?

Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch SE support Family Setup. This feature allows you to set up and manage Apple Watches for family members who don’t have their own iPhone, such as children or older relatives.

  1. How do the displays compare between the two models?

The Apple Watch Series 9 has an always-on Retina display, which means the screen stays visible even when the wrist is down. It also has higher brightness, up to 2,000 nits, making it more visible in bright sunlight. The Apple Watch SE, on the other hand, has a regular Retina display that is not always-on and has a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits.

  1. Do both watches support fall detection and crash detection?

Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch SE offer fall detection and crash detection. These safety features automatically detect if you experience a hard fall or are involved in a serious car crash, and they can send an emergency alert to your contacts or emergency services if needed.

  1. Is the fitness tracking experience the same on both models?

Yes, both watches offer the same fitness tracking experience, including multiple workout modes, calorie tracking, step counting, and integration with Apple Fitness+. Both watches also have an always-on altimeter and GPS for outdoor workout tracking.

  1. Can I use Apple Pay on both models?

Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch SE support Apple Pay via NFC. This allows you to make contactless payments directly from your watch at supported payment terminals.

  1. How do the storage capacities compare?

The Apple Watch Series 9 comes with 64GB of internal storage, while the Apple Watch SE has 32GB of internal storage. This means the Series 9 can store more music, apps, and other data directly on the watch compared to the SE.

  1. Are there any differences in environmental impact between the two watches?

Yes, the Apple Watch Series 9 offers carbon-neutral options for its aluminum models and uses more recycled materials, including 100% recycled aluminum and rare earth elements. While the Apple Watch SE also uses recycled aluminum, it does not have carbon-neutral variants like the Series 9.

  1. Can I use Siri on both watches?

Yes, Siri is available on both the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch SE. However, the Apple Watch Series 9 features on-device Siri processing, which allows faster and more reliable responses without requiring internet connectivity. The Apple Watch SE relies on cloud-based Siri, which may be slower and requires an internet connection.

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