As an avid smartwatch user yourself, you may be wondering if the affordable Apple Watch SE is right for your needs. Apple positions this pared back model as a budget-friendly entry point to experience their famous smartwatch. But does it deliver enough to warrant buying one in 2023?
I‘ve analyzed the SE‘s capabilities in depth to help you make an informed decision. As your personal tech specialist, I want to provide an insider‘s balanced perspective on its limitations along with alternative smartwatches that may suit you better.
Let‘s explore if the SE‘s lower $250 price tag justifies its compromises compared to other smart devices in its class beyond just the Apple name. I‘m eager to share what I‘ve learned!
How the Apple Watch SE Fits into Apple‘s Lineup
First, some quick background. The Watch SE originally released in 2020 as a more affordable alternative to the premium Series 6 model. By excluding some advanced Series 6 health sensors and opting for an older processor, Apple created a $120 discount off the base $399 Apple Watch pricing.
The second-generation SE launched alongside the new Series 8 in September 2022. It adds key features like:
- Crash detection
- Low heart rate notifications
- International roaming
However, Apple focused less on improving the SE‘s core health and fitness capabilities. It remains positioned as the entry-level model, stripped of exciting new Series 8 enhancements like:
- Skin temperature sensors
- An on-wrist QWERTY keyboard
- Enhanced workout metrics
So in terms of ranking Apple‘s smartwatch lineup:
- The premium $799 Ultra leads for adventure and extreme sports usage
- The flagship $399 Series 8 delivers cutting-edge health/wellness tracking
- The mid-tier $250 SE offers basic Apple Watch connectivity
Next, let‘s examine specific disadvantages I discovered that explain why some experts argue serious smartwatch buyers should avoid the SE in 2023.
6 Key Drawbacks of the Apple Watch SE to Consider
1. Always-On Display Missing
Unlike the Series 5 and onward, the SE lacks Apple‘s handy always-on display feature. This means the screen stays black unless you deliberately raise or tap it. Not being able to discreetly glance at the time or notifications can be quite inconvenient!
Having to perform an arm gesture just to wake your watch to view basic info seems antiquated when alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro offer this capability built-in.
2. Underwhelming Screen Real Estate
With a 1.57-inch display, the SE provides notably less screen space than the 1.73" to 1.93” spans of pricier models:
| Model | Screen Size |
|---|---|
| Ultra | 1.92” |
| Series 8 | 1.69” – 1.93” |
| SE | 1.57” |
The smaller panel leaves less room for data displays, text messages, notifications, and graphics. This hampers quick information consumption versus other watches.
3. Missing Advanced Health Sensors
The SE handles basics like heart rate monitoring and step/activity tracking. But absent are the electrical and temperature sensors found in Series 8 and Ultra that expand health insight:
| Feature | Series 8/Ultra | SE |
|---|---|---|
| On-demand ECG app | ✅ | ❌ |
| Blood oxygen app | ✅ | ❌ |
| Wrist temperature sensors | ✅ | ❌ |
For buyers focused specifically on cutting-edge wellness metrics, the SE fails to deliver.
4. Mediocre Battery Life
Apple claims 18 hours of standard use battery duration on the SE. But multiple independent reviewers like CNET report real-world results closer to just 10-12 hours:
"The Apple Watch SE lasted 12 hours before needing a charge, which is below the claimed 18 hours of battery life."
Without the fast-charge capability of newer models either, regularly refueling the SE though a long day can mean resorting to occasionally taking it off to conserve power.
5. Love-It-Or-Hate-It Design
Visual taste plays a role too. The SE retains what‘s become Apple‘s signature square watch shape. For some buyers, strapping an awkard blocky gadget to your wrist despite round watches dominating the fashion world is a non-starter.
Smartwatches blending more seamlessly into professional wardrobes like the circular Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro expose the SE‘s less versatile style limitations.
Of course aesthetics remain subjective. But limiting options mostly to square-faced devices does narrow its mass appeal.
6. More Affordable Rivals Available
With a $249 base price, the SE costs roughly $150 less than the $399 Apple Watch Series 8. However, compelling alternatives from other brands undercut Apple with equal or better feature sets:
| Watch | Price | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 | $230 | Better battery, AMOLED display, fitness tracking |
| Garmin Venu 2 Plus | $300 | 25+ built-in sports apps, 10-day battery |
| Huawei Watch GT3 | $190 | Slimmer design, 14-day battery, SpO2 monitoring |
The SE‘s pricing perk compared to premium Apple Watches vanishes when shoppers weigh its capabilities against lower-cost cross-platform options.
Nice work digesting the SE‘s main pitfalls, my friend! Now let me suggest a few standout alternatives for you to consider instead.
3 Smartwatches That Outshine the Apple Watch SE
Here are my top recommendations that beat out the SE with better all-around utility:
1. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
Samsung‘s latest flagship watch tailored specifically for outdoor usage and endurance sports is hard to beat.
Running WearOS 3.5 with deep optimization for Android, it deliveres smooth integration with Samsung phones. A high-resolution AMOLED touchscreen combines with an intuitive One UI interface that‘s very iOS-like.
But where the Watch 5 Pro pulls far ahead is its sensor set and durability credentials:
- BioActive Sensor for centralized health metrics
- SpO2 blood oxygen monitoring
- Body composition measurements
- 5 day battery life (80 hours with power saver)
- Titanium casing with sapphire crystal display
If you‘re an Android user seeking a premium smartwatch offering state-of-the-art tracking in a slender circular design, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro earns my highest recommendation over the Apple Watch SE for 2023.
Check Price on Amazon
2. Garmin Venu 2 Plus
When it comes to health & fitness focus, Garmin rules the roost. The Venu 2 Plus packs an arsenal of monitoring tools like:
- 25+ preloaded GPS sports apps
- Wrist-based heart rate
- Premium Body Battery energy meter
- Sleep tracking with sleep score
- 5 ATM water resistance
Notably, even with always-on display enabled, the Venu 2 Plus achieves an astounding 10 days of operation per charge. It also offers a crisp OLED touchscreen in your choice of 43mm or 45mm case sizes.
For iPhone users seeking maximum sports and wellness performance without paying Apple premiums, the highly capable Garmin Venu 2 Plus presents an outstanding option over the SE.
Check Price on Amazon
3. Huawei Watch GT3 Pro
If you appreciate elegance combined with mid-range capabilities, the Huawei Watch GT3 Pro warrants a look.
Highlights include:
- Distinguished titanium body
- Crisp 1.43" AMOLED display
- Call support when paired to an Android phone
- Rapid GPS location tracking
- Up to 14 days operation per charge
The slim GT3 Pro sells for around just $230 — equaling far stronger value than the SE for Android users wanting long battery life without sacrificing style.
Check Price on Amazon
I hope these three alternatives demonstrate some excellent alternatives to consider beyond the Apple Watch SE in 2023, my friend.
Should You Still Consider Buying the Apple Watch SE?
The second-generation Apple Watch SE offers a respectable experience for iOS fans on a budget. If you highly value continuity within Apple‘s ecosystem, it delivers core smartwatch functionality at an affordable entry point.
Its notable strengths remain:
- Deep iPhone integration
- Smooth 60Hz Retina OLED display
- Intuitive watchOS interface
- Access to vast library of Apple Watch apps
For diehard Apple devotees or casual users wanting basic notifications/alerts, the SE serves up a competent package.
However, its exclusion of premium capabilities found on higher-end Apple Watches — plus emergence of rival cross-platform smartwatches — make me hesitant to universally recommend it in 2023.
If advanced health tracking, maximum battery endurance, always-on visibility, or a round watch face appeal to you, alternatives like the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Garmin Venu 2 Plus, or Huawei GT3 Pro deserve your consideration.
My goal is to equip you with a complete perspective to best align with your needs and budget. Don‘t assume Apple always provides the smartest choice. An open-minded comparison could reveal an option that outperforms the SE where one least expects it!
I welcome connecting further to exchange insights on finding your ideal smartwatch companion for the years ahead. Let me know if any other guidance would be helpful, my friend!
