| Apple Watch | Apple Watch SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $399 | $249★ |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 32g | 26g★ |
| Water resistance | 50m | 50m |
| Battery | 1 days★ | 18h |
| Always-on display | ✅★ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ✅ | ✅ |
| Platform | iOS only | iOS only |
| Tier | Smartwatch | Smartwatch |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Sep 18, 2026 | Sep 19, 2025 |
| Cycle advice | good★ | neutral |
| Deals advice | good | good |
| Next model | — | Apple Watch SE 4 (Expected fall 2027) |
The new health sensing system samples heart rate every five seconds all day — 60x more often than the Series 11 — and measures HRV every five minutes.
A daily 0–10 readiness score combines sleep, vitals, training load, and activity to suggest how hard to push.
On-demand ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, sleep apnea detection, and hypertension notifications carry over from the Series 11.
Access the entire watchOS app ecosystem, Apple Pay, Siri, and Family Setup — for $150 less than the Series 12.
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.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$249 vs $399 over 3 years.
1 days vs 18h battery.
10 sensors · 0.2 Hz HR sampling.
26g.
iPhone users who want the most capable smartwatch health experience available. Ideal for anyone who values medical-grade monitoring (ECG, blood pressure, SpO2), a premium always-on display, and the best Apple Watch workout tracking. If health is your priority, this is the one to get.
Full details →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 →