Key Points:
- While the SE has Ion-X reinforced glass, the Series 7 is also IP6X dust resistant and comes with crack-resistant sapphire crystal safeguarding the display.
- The Apple Watch Series 7 is the newer Apple Watch version and has advanced fitness features like ECG and SpO2.
- While the SE is only available in an aluminum case, the Series 7 also includes stainless steel and titanium case options, making it a more rugged beast than the SE.
Apple Watch has been available for a few years, and in that time, we’ve seen some significant improvements and updates to the existing series. The Apple Watch 7, one of the company’s newest wearable flagship, boasts a curvier chassis, narrower display borders, and a brighter screen than the Apple Watch 6.
The Apple Watch SE is still the company’s mid-tier model. It starts at a reasonable $279 but skips on some health sensors and doesn’t offer an always-on display. If you’re in the market for a new Apple Watch and deciding between the two models, the Apple Watch Series 7 and the Apple Watch SE, then you’re probably curious about what their differences.
In this Apple Watch SE vs. 7 comparison, we’re going to look at some of the major differences between each model to help you decide which one will be the best for your personal needs and preferences!
Apple Watch SE vs. 7: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Apple Watch SE | Apple Watch 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279 | $399 |
| In-built Processor | S5 | S7 |
| Water Resistance | Up to 50 meters | Up to 50 meters |
| Size of Case | 40mm, 44mm | 41mm, 45mm |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Storage Capacity | 32GB | 32GB |
| 4G cellular connection | Yes | Yes |
| Colors | Space Gray, Silver, and Gold | Red, Green, Silver, Blue, Black |
| Features | Fall detector, always-on altimeter, ambient light sensor, second-generation optical heart monitor | ECG, always-on altimeter, compass, heart rate alerts, Fall detection, SpO2 |
| Always-on display | No | Yes |
| Display resolution | 324×394 (40mm); 368×448 (44mm) | 352×430 (41mm); 396×484 (45mm) |
Apple Watch SE vs. 7: What’s the Difference?
The Apple Watch SE is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable smartwatch that still provides plenty of functionality. Series 7, on the other hand, is versatile, attractive, and has some advanced features. Both have improved features from their previous generations. However, the two smartwatches differ in some aspects. Here is what sets them apart.
Price
The 41mm Apple Watch 7 costs $399, while the larger 45mm model costs $429. Cellular capability is available for an additional $100, allowing your Apple Watch to stay connected even when unattached from your iPhone.
The price of the Apple Watch SE is $279 (or even less, with the best Apple Watch deals). The Cellular version starts at $329 for the 40mm size and $359 for the 44mm model. That’s a $50 price increase for LTE support.
Design
- The SE is 2x faster and has a 30% larger display than the Series 3
- Safety features like Fall Detection and Emergency SOS can get you help when you need it
- Available in a range of sizes and colors, with dozens of bands to choose from. Change up your look by switching your band or by customizing your watch face in millions of ways.
- Works seamlessly with your Apple devices and services. Listen to music with your AirPods. Unlock your Mac automatically. Find your devices with a tap. Pay and send money with Apple Pay
- Apple Watch requires an iPhone 6s or later with the latest iOS version
- Swimproof and built to be tough. Take it on a hike, hit the gym, or catch some waves without worry.
- Advanced sensors that track all the ways you move and measure your favorite workouts
- Comes with three months of Apple Fitness+ free
![Apple Watch SE (Gen 1) [GPS 40mm] Smart Watch with Gold Aluminium Case with Starlight Sport Band](https://history-computer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/41riik6lG4L._SL500_.webp)
The Apple Watch Series 7 and the less expensive SE appear to be extremely similar at first glance. The Series 7 weighs 6g more and is only barely bigger than the SE in its smallest variant. Both versions employ Apple’s “rounded square” design.
The Series 7 is available in 45 and 44mm sizes, and the SE is available in 44 or 40mm sizes. There isn’t much to distinguish between them because both alternatives are 50 m water resistant and safe to use in a pool.
©Gabo_Arts/Shutterstock.com
Cases
While the SE is only available in an aluminum case, the Series 7 also includes stainless steel and titanium case options, making it a more rugged beast than the SE. While the SE has Ion-X reinforced glass, the Series 7 is also IP6X dust resistant and comes with crack-resistant sapphire crystal safeguarding the display.
Strap options
Additionally, the Series 7 has many more finishes and strap options than the SE if appearances are important to you (which we know they are). The Series 7 stands out significantly from a pure design standpoint.
Display
In terms of display, the primary difference between the Apple Watch Series 7 and the SE is that the Series 7’s display is always on. So, if you choose the less expensive model, you will still need to perform the Apple hand jive to determine the time.
The Series 7’s display may only be slightly larger than the SE’s, but it has a significantly larger screen — 20% larger, to be exact. The difference in screen sizes between the Series 7 and SE is only 0.12 inches. Still, it’s enough to give you a significantly crisper view, allowing the Series 7 to display far more complex watch faces, and give you a full keyboard.
Both Series 7 and the SE have Retina displays, which means they seem super-sharp and crisp, but the Series 7 has a slight advantage in that the display bends more at the edges. When combined with the Contour watch face, the numbers on the dial are much more visible from the side, a small benefit that highlights the Series 7’s improved display.
Health sensors
Though the Apple Watch 7 and Apple Watch 6 are nearly identical in health functions, the newest Apple Watch includes tools that the SE version does not. For starters, the SE lacks the Apple Watch blood oxygen app. It also cannot record ECGs, which detect signs of atrial fibrillation.
The Apple Watch SE, on the other hand, has continuous heart rate tracking. Like Apple’s previous smartwatches, it may deliver notifications for abnormally high or low heart rates and irregular heart rhythm notifications.
Both smartwatches provide the standard set of fitness tracking measures, such as automated workout tracking and various workout styles. With watchOS 8, new workout types are also available.
Performance
The Apple Watch Series 7 is superior to the SE in terms of internal hardware, although not as much as you might expect. Apple’s S7 wearable chip sits at its core, whereas the older S5 powers the SE.
Although it might seem like a big step, the S7 is actually very similar to the S6 found in the Apple Watch Series 6, and you’ll probably find that there isn’t much of a performance difference when using both.
The Series 7’s extra performance is balanced by its larger screen and added health functions. The SE also squeezes a lot more life out of the battery because it has, to some extent, less going on. In the end, both Apple Watches are pretty easy to use and have 32GB of internal storage, so we’ll call this one a tie.
Charging
- Always-on Retina display
- IP6X dust resistant and swim-proof
- Oximeter and ECG
- Fitness and activity trackers
- Sync with Apple Music
- Midnight aluminum case and sport band
Both Apple Watch models still have an “all-day” battery life of about 18 hours, but the Series 7 charges 33 percent faster than the Series 6 (which itself charged quicker than the Series SE) thanks to a new charging architecture. The Series 7 Apple Watch can charge to 80% in just 40 minutes, compared to the Series 6’s hour and a half to 100%.
Apple claims that ten minutes of charging time is all it takes for the Series 7 to track eight hours of sleep. This is partly because the Apple Watch Series 7 comes with a new USB-C magnetic fast charging cable.
Because both models’ battery life is nearly the same, it is unlikely that it is worth favoring the Series 7 just based on faster charging and somewhat improved energy utilization during specific activities. Instead, the Series 7’s battery and charging advancements are a vital indicator of how it offers a range of small but significant advancements over the Apple Watch SE.
Apple Watch SE vs. 7: 10 Must-Know Facts
- Both watches have a built-in GPS and water resistance of up to 50 meters.
- Apple Watch Series 7 features an always-on display, which Apple Watch SE does not have.
- While the SE has Ion-X reinforced glass, the Series 7 is also IP6X dust resistant and comes with crack-resistant sapphire crystal safeguarding the display.
- Both can last up to 18 hours on a single charge.
- The Apple Watch Series 7 is the newer Apple Watch version and has advanced fitness features like ECG and SpO2.
- Series 7 features an S7 processor, which is 20% faster than SE’s S5 processor.
- While the SE is only available in an aluminum case, the Series 7 also includes stainless steel and titanium case options, making it a more rugged beast than the SE.
- At a starting price of $399, Series 7 is more costly than SE, which starts at $279.
- Although they have a similar design, the display on Series 7 is slightly bigger than SE.
- Both Apple Watch models still have an “all-day” battery life of about 18 hours, but the Series 7 charges 33 percent faster than the Series 6 (which itself charged faster than the Series SE) thanks to a new charging architecture.
Apple Watch SE vs. 7: Which One Is Better?
So, which one is better; Apple Watch SE or the Series 7?
The Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch 7 are two of the company’s latest releases. The devices have a lot in common, but a few things set them apart. The Apple Watch SE has a smaller screen than the Apple Watch 7, but still packs many features and functionality.
The SE is a good option for those who want something less expensive than the higher-end models without sacrificing performance or features. It doesn’t have as many sensors as other options, such as heart rate monitors or temperature sensing capabilities, but it comes with an improved processor that allows for faster processing speeds.
However, if you’re especially interested in fast charging, a larger display, health tracking, or a specific color combination and casing, the Apple Watch Series 7 is the model for your specific needs.
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