The Apple Watch SE 2 pictured with the Spigen Crystal Liquid Professional Apple Watch band.
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Apple's fashionable watch gadgets can be found in several models, and the Watch SE 2 is not the newest base possibility anymore. In September, Apple lastly unveiled a refresh to the wearable within the Watch SE 3. The SE 2 does not embrace all of the options of the brand new SE 3, nevertheless it's nonetheless a fantastic base mannequin wearable that's excellent for a curious, first-time smartwatch purchaser or a baby — and it is the least costly Apple Watch you should buy new proper now.
The SE 2 affords nice worth for these trying to observe primary well being and health metrics, hold involved with ease, and profit from connection to the Apple ecosystem, a lot in order that I nonetheless will not be upgrading from my very own SE 2.
Additionally: Apple Watch SE 3 vs. Watch SE 2: I compared the two models, and there's a clear winner
I personal the Watch SE 2, and it has been the proper smartwatch companion to my principally low-key tech life-style. It is confirmed nice for monitoring my exercises, steps, and different well being metrics, and it has been introduction to sleep monitoring, too. Proper now, you may seize my favourite watch mannequin (nonetheless), the Watch SE 2 for up to $79 off at Amazon. This is applicable to a couple colour and band choices, together with the Midnight and Starlight sport bands.
Additionally: I compared every Apple Watch in 2025 – here's why I recommend this model the most
The bigger 44mm Apple Watch SE 2 is on sale, too, for $199 in choose colours. This worth nonetheless is not fairly as little as I noticed the watch drop throughout Black Friday 2024 gross sales (the place it was briefly on sale for $149), nevertheless it's nonetheless a good quantity of financial savings, even when it is an older mannequin. Remember the fact that this mannequin doubtless will not be obtainable in new-in-box situation for for much longer, because the Watch SE 3 will start to take over the cabinets.
The brand new Watch SE 3 prices $249, and hasn't seen any main reductions as of but. It is attainable that it's going to drop anyplace from $10-$40 off in November, however we'll have to attend and see.
If you happen to're not in search of the superior options supplied within the newer Collection 10, 11 or SE 3 fashions, the Watch SE 2 is a superb purchase with all of the necessities. You would be shocked how effectively this mannequin compares to Apple's different contenders.
The SE affords customers as much as 18 hours of battery life and 32GB of inner storage. It does provide a number of the similar well being and security options because the Collection 9, 10, and Extremely, although it does not observe blood oxygen, carry out ECG coronary heart checks, or examine your temperature.
Additionally: The Apple Watch SE 3 is the best deal right now – but I'm not upgrading for 2 big reasons
Throughout Black Friday gross sales final yr, I upgraded from the Collection 3 Apple Watch to the 40mm SE mannequin, and I've by no means been happier with a tech buy. The SE has all the required options with out the sophisticated bells and whistles I did not need (or want) — but it nonetheless affords a crisp show, quick response price, and seamless use. It is nonetheless completely excellent for monitoring my exercises and walks and for shortly answering texts, emails, and extra. Plus, with the financial savings I bought from buying the extra primary SE mannequin, I used to be capable of snag a number of completely different watch bands to decorate my search for or down.
It's also possible to store the Watch SE 2 at Best Buy and Walmart, although financial savings might differ.
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How I rated this deal
Primarily based on the as much as $79 financial savings being supplied, ZDNET's ranking system offers this a 3/5 Editor's deal ranking. This isn't the bottom provide I've seen in my time masking Apple Watch offers. The Watch SE 2 has been obtainable throughout choose sale intervals for as little as $149 or $100 off. Nevertheless, these affords match the financial savings costs I've seen supplied throughout different sale occasions like Amazon Prime Day.
However, it could be worthwhile to spend a bit extra and pay the $249 for the newer Watch SE 3 (or look ahead to it to see its first sale), however the older and cheaper SE 2 remains to be a stable possibility for a first-time or no-fuss person that does not need prime options or is getting their toes moist within the wearables market.
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