The Apple Watch SE 2 pictured with the Spigen Crystal Liquid Professional Apple Watch band.
Kayla Solino/ZDNET
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Apple’s common watch units 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, however it’s nonetheless an incredible 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 provides nice worth for these trying to observe primary well being and health metrics, preserve 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 an excellent introduction to sleep monitoring, too. Proper now, you possibly can 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 value 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), however it’s nonetheless a good quantity of financial savings, even when it is an older mannequin. Understand that this mannequin probably 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.
In case you’re not searching for the superior options supplied within the newer Sequence 10, 11 or SE 3 fashions, the Watch SE 2 is a good purchase with all of the necessities. You would be stunned how nicely this mannequin compares to Apple’s different contenders.
The SE provides customers as much as 18 hours of battery life and 32GB of inner storage. It does provide a number of the identical well being and security options because the Sequence 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 Sequence 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 mandatory options with out the sophisticated bells and whistles I did not need (or want) — but it nonetheless provides 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 obtained from buying the extra primary SE mannequin, I used to be in a position to snag a number of completely different watch bands to decorate my search for or down.
You can too store the Watch SE 2 at Best Buy and Walmart, although financial savings could differ.
Searching for the subsequent finest product? Get skilled critiques and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.
How I rated this deal
Primarily based on the as much as $79 financial savings being supplied, ZDNET’s score system offers this a 3/5 Editor’s deal score. This isn’t the bottom provide I’ve seen in my time protecting Apple Watch offers. The Watch SE 2 has been obtainable throughout choose sale intervals for as little as $149 or $100 off. Nonetheless, these provides 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 watch for 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 consumer that does not need prime options or is getting their toes moist within the wearables market.
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