Apple Watch SE 2022 40mm Review | 126 Data compared

The 2022 Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) serves as a budget-friendly entry point at $249, featuring the faster S8 processor, a recycled nylon composite back, and safety features like Crash Detection, though it retains the original SE design. Pros include a lightweight build, fast performance, and comprehensive safety tools, while cons involve the lack of an always-on display and thicker bezels. Hardware limitations for the lower price point include omitting advanced health sensors for ECG, blood oxygen (SpO2), and body temperature, along with lacking IP6X dust resistance. While water-resistant to 50 meters, the device is missing features found in higher-end models, making it less suitable for advanced health monitoring. Battery performance exceeded Apple's 18-hour estimate, lasting up to 37 hours in testing, but charging speeds are slower than top-tier models. Despite lacking an always-on display, the review concludes the SE offers excellent value for those prioritizing essential connectivity and safety.

The 2022 Apple Watch SE is highlighted by PCMag as a high-value, budget-friendly alternative to more expensive models, featuring an upgraded S8 processor that provides a 20% speed boost and ensures longevity for future watchOS updates. It introduces new safety features, including Crash Detection, alongside existing capabilities like Fall Detection and Emergency SOS. To maintain a lower price point, the SE lacks an always-on display and advanced health sensors for ECG, blood oxygen (SpO2), and body temperature. Additionally, it lacks an official IP6X rating for dust resistance, making it less durable than its premium counterparts, though it remains water-resistant up to 50 meters. PCMag recommends the second-generation SE for first-time buyers, children, or users upgrading from older models, citing improved real-world battery life and a lighter, eco-friendly design. Despite missing premium features like faster charging and thinner bezels, it delivers the core, seamless Apple Watch experience at a lower price point.

The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) provides excellent value, offering the same fast S8 processor and essential safety features as the Series 8, such as Crash Detection, at a lower price point. While it delivers a high-performance experience, the SE (2nd Gen) compromises by omitting an Always-On display, advanced health sensors like ECG and blood oxygen, and fast charging. Consequently, the review frames the SE as the optimal choice for most users, while the Series 8 is recommended for those prioritizing advanced, medical-grade health monitoring.

The CNET review of the 2022 Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) identifies it as the best-value, $249 option in Apple's lineup, featuring the same S8 processor as the Series 8. Key pros include 20% faster performance, improved safety features like crash detection, and support for watchOS 9's low-power mode. The review highlights several cons, primarily the absence of an always-on display and advanced sensors like ECG, blood oxygen, and temperature tracking. Furthermore, the design remains unchanged with larger bezels, and it lacks premium features such as fast charging. CNETUltimately, the watch is recommended for first-time buyers and users upgrading from older models seeking core features, earning a CNET Editors' Choice award. It serves as a practical, high-performance option despite lacking premium features, according to the review.

The Apple Watch SE (gen 2) 40mm is a highly-rated, budget-friendly device offering core health tracking, including excellent heart-rate accuracy and integrated GPS. Powered by the S8 processor, it provides a fast user experience with robust build quality, passing water resistance and durability tests. Key safety features like fall detection and emergency SOS are included, and testing revealed a battery life of roughly 53 hours, far exceeding the 18-hour estimate. However, the SE lacks an always-on display and specialized health sensors for ECG, blood oxygen, and temperature tracking. It also features larger bezels than higher-end models, and charging to full takes approximately 127 minutes. Despite these omissions, it remains a top choice for those prioritizing essential functionality over advanced, premium features.

The Apple Watch SE 3 is identified as the best-value smartwatch in Apple's lineup, featuring the fast S10 chipset, 'Double Tap' gestures, and, for the first time, an always-on display. Key pros include this high performance, fast charging capabilities, and a lightweight, comfortable nylon composite design. Cons focus on the omission of advanced health sensors, as the device lacks ECG, blood oxygen (SpO2), and hypertension notifications. It also uses an older second-gen heart rate sensor and features a thicker, older chassis design with larger bezels compared to the Series 11. While battery life is limited to around 18 hours, it supports full-day usage and sleep tracking, making it an ideal, affordable entry point, though it lacks the multi-day battery life of competitors.

The Apple Watch SE 2 serves as a high-value wearable, offering a premium design similar to the Series 8 but at a lower price point [T3]. It features the faster S8 processor, a 20% performance boost over its predecessor, and new high-g accelerometers for crash detection [T3]. Pros include an extremely lightweight design, excellent iPhone integration, and robust activity tracking [T3]. Cons, however, include a thicker bezel, lack of an always-on display, slower charging times, and the omission of advanced health sensors like ECG, SpO2, and temperature monitoring [T3]. The review highlights the SE 2 as the best-value choice for a versatile smartwatch, despite lacking specialized medical sensors and featuring reduced outdoor tracking accuracy compared to flagship models [T3]. The device maintains a smooth, lag-free user experience, making it a strong contender in the wearable market [T3].

The ZDNET review identifies the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) as an ideal, cost-effective smartwatch, offering essential features like fast performance and crash detection for a low-key lifestyle. While lacking advanced sensors such as ECG, blood oxygen tracking, and an always-on display, the model is praised for its reliability and value, often found on sale, the review notes. Ultimately, the review concludes that the SE (2nd Gen) delivers the core functionality necessary for most users at a fraction of the cost of higher-end models.

The TechRadar review deems the Apple Watch SE 2 the best-value entry point into the Apple ecosystem, driven by its fast S8 processor and lightweight design. Key advantages include high performance and surprisingly strong battery life, which often exceeds the official 18-hour estimate, alongside essential features like car crash detection. However, notable drawbacks, or cons, include the absence of an always-on display, missing advanced health sensors like ECG or SpO2, and a lack of fast-charging support. Ultimately, it is considered an excellent choice for first-time buyers or upgraders seeking core functionality without premium pricing.

The Apple Watch SE 2 is lauded by Trusted Reviews as the definitive 'value' choice in Apple's lineup, offering top-tier performance with the S8 processor for 4.5/5 stars. Key pros include a lightweight, comfortable design, fluid performance, and essential safety features like car crash detection. To maintain a lower price, the device lacks an Always-On display, advanced health sensors (ECG/SpO2/temperature), and fast charging, which are noted as primary cons. The screen is smaller than the Series 8, but remains bright and functional. Real-world usage indicates better-than-advertised battery life, often lasting up to two days with moderate use, despite lacking fast charging. It is considered an ideal, cost-effective option for most users who do not require advanced medical-grade sensors.

The Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen (2022) is highlighted as a high-value wearable that, while a minor update, delivers 90% of the functionality of higher-end models for a significantly lower price. A major strength is the inclusion of the S8 chip, providing snappy performance and longevity for a 5/5 rated user experience. Key features include essential fitness tracking, Apple Pay, and safety tools such as Crash Detection. However, cost-cutting measures result in the omission of an Always-On display, making it less convenient for quick glances, and it lacks advanced health sensors like ECG, Blood Oxygen, and temperature tracking. The design also retains larger bezels compared to the Series 8. Furthermore, the device is limited to an 18-hour battery life and lacks fast charging. Despite these compromises, the watch is recommended as the most rational, cost-effective choice for new users or those upgrading from older models. It delivers the core Apple Watch experience without the premium price tag.

The TechGearLab review identifies the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) as a top-value, budget-friendly entry into the Apple ecosystem, featuring the fast S8 processor, highly accurate health sensors, and safety features like Crash Detection. Key drawbacks (cons) highlighted include the absence of an Always-On display, lack of ECG/SpO2 sensors, a plastic composite back, and underwhelming battery life/slow charging. Despite these limitations, it is praised for providing the core, high-quality Apple Watch experience at a significantly lower price point than flagship models.