Apple Watch celebrated its big first birthday. Apple Watch Series 10 is the tenth generation of Apple’s wearables, bringing a range of new changes while maintaining the same DNA that makes Apple Watch stand out.
However, it is still not the most affordable smartwatch, but Apple offers the Apple Watch SE 2 as an entry-level model that is two years old. If you are on a budget and want to experience an Apple Watch, should you buy the Apple Watch SE2? Or is it worth increasing your budget to buy the Apple Watch Series 10? Let’s find out.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch SE 2: Specifications
| Apple Series 10 Watch | Apple Watch SE 2 | |
| Size | 42 mm
46 mm |
40 mm 44 mm |
| Dimensions | 46 mm x 39 mm x 9.7 mm (46 mm) 42 mm x 36 mm x 9.7 mm (42 mm) |
44 mm x 38 mm x 10.7 mm (44 mm) 40 mm x 34 mm x 10.7 mm (40 mm) |
| Weight | 36.4 grams (Aluminum, GPS, 46 mm) 35.3 grams (Aluminum, GPS + Cellular, 46 mm) 41.7 grams (Titanium, 46 mm) 30 grams (Aluminum, GPS, 42 mm) 29.3 grams (Aluminum, GPS + Cellular, 42 mm) 34.4 grams (Titanium, 42 mm) |
32.9 grams (Aluminum, GPS, 44 mm)
33 grams (Aluminum, GPS + Cellular, 44 mm) 26.4 grams (Aluminum, GPS, 40 mm) 27.8 grams (Aluminum, GPS + Cellular, 40 mm) |
| Colors | Space Black Aluminum
Rose Gold Aluminum Silver Aluminum Space Titanium Gold Titanium Natural Titanium |
Starry Aluminum
Midnight Aluminum Silver Aluminum |
| Display | LTPO3 OLED display with always-on Retina technology
OLED display with wide viewing angle Brightness up to 2000 nits per square meter 1 nit minimum brightness Resolution 416 x 496 pixels, display area 1220 mm² (46 mm) Resolution 374 x 446 pixels, display area 989 mm² (42 mm) 40% brighter when viewed at an angle |
LTPO OLED Retina display
Brightness up to 1000 nits per square meter Resolution 368 x 448 pixels, display area 977 mm² (44 mm) Resolution 324 x 394 pixels, display area 759 mm² (40 mm) |
| Processor | S10 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor
Apple W3 wireless chip Second-generation ultra-wideband chip Quad-core neural engine |
S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor
Dual-core neural engine |
| Storage | 64 GB | 32 GB |
| Health and Fitness Tracking | ECG heart sensor
Third-generation optical heart rate sensor Menstrual tracking Nighttime wrist temperature tracking Sleep tracking Respiratory rate notifications during sleep Essentials app (heart rate, respiration rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration) Depth gauge Water temperature sensor |
Second-generation optical heart rate sensor
Menstrual tracking Nighttime wrist temperature tracking Sleep tracking Essentials app (heart rate, respiration rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration) |
| Double-Click Function | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours
Up to 36 hours in Low Power mode |
Up to 18 hours
Up to 36 hours in Low Power mode |
| Charging | 0-80% in 30 minutes | 0-80% in 90 minutes |
| Price | Starting from $399 (GPS only)
Starting from $499 (GPS + Cellular) |
Starting from $249 (GPS only)
Starting from $299 (GPS + Cellular) |
| Review | Apple Series 10 Watch Review | Apple Watch SE 2 Review |
Apple Watch Series 10 vs SE 2: Design and Display
Apple Watch Series 10 was announced at the Apple Watch Glowtime event and underwent a major redesign, while the SE 2 follows the same design language as previous versions of the Apple Watch. The result is a stark contrast between the two.
The Series 10 is thinner by 1mm, slightly heavier, and slightly larger than the Apple Watch SE 2, but it has a much larger screen. Despite the larger screen size, it looks better on the wrist thanks to the slim design that makes it more distinctive.
Apple Watch Series 10 features a glass face and a frame made of titanium or aluminum and a back made of ceramic and sapphire crystal. In contrast, the Apple Watch SE 2 is much lower quality as it replaces ceramic with plastic and only comes with an aluminum frame.
The screen on the Apple Watch Series 10 is much better. It is larger in size and slightly higher in density and boasts a higher brightness of up to 2000 nits per square meter. The Apple Watch SE 2 screen is no slouch as it is still a Retina OLED display with a brightness of up to 1000 nits per square meter, but there is a noticeable difference between the two. The Series 10 also features a sapphire crystal glass face, making it much more durable than the Ion-X reinforced glass found in the Apple Watch SE 2.
Although both screens use LTPO technology, only the Apple Watch Series 10 has an always-on display. It also has a much wider viewing angle, allowing you to see what’s on the screen at a wider angle.
There is no doubt that the Apple Watch Series 10 is simply a more attractive watch. It is slimmer, larger, and has a much better screen, in addition to the display features you want from a smartwatch like an always-on screen and sapphire crystal protection. This is where the differences between the two watches are most noticeable.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 10
Apple Watch Series 10 vs SE 2: Health and Fitness Tracking
The Apple Watch Series 10 runs on WatchOS 11 out of the box, while the Apple Watch SE 2 can be updated to the same base system. Although they share the same operating system version, there are some health features not available on the more affordable Apple Watch SE 2.
The absence of sensors for ECG and temperature means you will miss features like ECG recordings, advanced heart rate monitoring, and temperature sensing. Both watches offer sleep tracking, but the Apple Watch Series 10 captures more data and can detect respiratory disturbances during sleep.
Both watches have access to the Training Load and Vitals apps, with the latter providing visual representations of statistics like heart rate, respiration rate, and sleep duration. The Apple Watch Series 10 will also track your wrist temperature throughout the night, providing an early indication if you are getting sick. The Series 10 can also track menstrual cycles through retroactive ovulation estimates, while the Apple Watch SE 2 offers basic cycle tracking.
If you enjoy swimming or diving, the Apple Watch SE 2 is also limited. It is water-resistant and swim-proof only up to a depth of 50 meters, while the Apple Watch Series 10 adds a water temperature sensor and a depth gauge up to six meters to provide more detailed exercise statistics.
It’s a close call, but the Apple Watch Series 10 only offers a few extra health features. However, the Apple Watch SE 2 provides all the basic health features at a lower price, so you won’t miss out too much. If you are not too concerned about any of the exclusive features of the Apple Watch Series 10, you can save some money with the SE 2.
Verdict: Apple Watch Series 10
Apple Watch Series 10 vs SE 2: Software and Performance
The Apple Watch Series 10 is powered by the S10 SiP, and comes with the double-click gesture introduced with the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 last year. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch SE 2 uses the two-year-old S8 SiP system, limiting it from offering certain features like precise iPhone search and faster charging.
There is also a noticeable difference in performance when using Siri. The S10 SiP provides a much faster Siri assistant that is on-device and can access your health data, while the S8 SiP is more limited and offers a more basic version of Siri.
However, while the S10 SiP is better, there is no compelling reason to upgrade for the processor alone. The Apple Watch SE 2 offers most of the same experience and is not far behind, and is more capable of receiving updates in the future.
Other update numbers are unknown: most Apple Watches are supported for about five years, so if you buy an Apple Watch SE 2, you may only receive three more updates. The Apple Watch Series 10 ensures longer update support than any other current Apple Watch.
The Apple Watch Series 10 is faster, but the difference is not significant enough to be used as the sole reason for upgrading your choice.
Verdict: Tie
Apple Watch Series 10 vs SE 2: Battery and Charging
Both the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch SE 2 are rated to provide up to 18 hours of battery life, but there are still significant differences. The Apple Watch SE 2 is likely to last slightly less than the Series 10, which we found lasts at least 24 hours.
This year saw Apple revamp the charging experience, with the Apple Watch Series 10 now charging much faster than any other Apple Watch. In our tests, it can be fully charged in less than an hour, and a 15-minute charge gives you enough battery life for 12 hours of use. There’s no contest.
The Series 10 offers the best charging experience on an Apple Watch, with its speed being nearly twice that of the Apple Watch SE 2. Trust us, the updated charging makes a big difference in daily use.
Verdict: Apple Watch Series 10
Apple Watch Series 10 vs SE 2: Price and Availability
The biggest draw for the Apple Watch SE 2 is its price. The starting price of $249 makes it much more affordable than the Apple Watch Series 10, which starts at $399 and goes up to $799 for the Titanium model with the larger size and Titanium band.
If you want the Apple Watch SE 2, the 40mm GPS model costs $249, while the larger 44mm model costs an additional $30. Choosing the GPS and cellular model will cost you an extra $50, and opting for the stainless steel Milanese loop – which has the original design – will also cost you an extra $50. The maximum you can pay for an Apple Watch SE 2 is $379.
If you want the Apple Watch Series 10, it starts at $399 for the 42mm Aluminum case and goes up to $699 for the Titanium case. The former comes with either GPS or GPS and Cellular – the latter costs an extra $100 – while the Titanium design is only available with GPS and Cellular. If you want the larger 46mm model, it will cost you an additional $30 for the Aluminum case and $50 for the Titanium case.
For the lower price, you get a limited feature set with the Apple Watch SE 2. It is designed to provide a first step into the Apple Watch experience, while the Apple Watch Series 10 represents the top of the line production outside of the Ultra models. The Apple Watch Series 10 offers a lot, but it comes at a price that may be too steep for some people.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch SE 2: Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 10 is the best Apple Watch you can buy right now, but the starting price of $399 may make it too expensive for some. If you are one of those people and want to experience the magic of the Apple Watch, the Apple Watch SE 2 offers 75% of the experience for less than 75% of the price.
However, if you can afford to upgrade to the Apple Watch Series 10, the extra money
