| Apple Watch SE | Polar Grit X | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $249★ | $749 |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 26g★ | 57g |
| Water resistance | 50m | 100m★ |
| Battery | 18h | 40 days★ |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ✅★ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS only | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Smartwatch | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Sep 19, 2025 | Apr 11, 2024 |
| Cycle advice | good★ | bad |
| Deals advice | neutral | good★ |
| Next model | Apple Watch SE 4 (Expected fall 2027) | — |
Access the entire watchOS app ecosystem, Apple Pay, Siri, and Family Setup — for $150 less than the Series 11.
Emergency SOS, fall detection, and Crash Detection give real safety value even without premium health sensors.
Available in Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and (PRODUCT)RED with a wide range of Apple Watch-compatible bands.
Five times the battery of the Vantage V3 — enough for week-long mountain stages or ultramarathons without charging access.
Automatically segments your run by uphill and downhill sections, calculating pace and power for each — essential for mountain race training.
Running power without a chest strap or foot pod — Polar's key differentiator versus Garmin at this price tier.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$249 vs $749 over 3 years · no required subscription.
40 days vs 18h battery.
5 sensors.
26g · no required subscription.
iPhone users who want Apple Watch's core experience — activity tracking, notifications, crash detection, and Apple Pay — at a lower price point. Ideal for kids, teens, or anyone upgrading from a much older watch without needing the advanced health sensors.
Full details →Trail runners, hikers, and outdoor athletes who want Polar's analytics with significantly longer battery life than the Vantage V3. The titanium case and sapphire glass make it suitable for technical terrain where watch durability matters.
Full details →