Apple Watch Series 6 vs SE: Which One Should You Buy?

The Apple Watch Series 6 and the Apple Watch SE are two new smartwatches that Apple released recently. Both are currently WatchOS 8 supported. The Watch SE is a less expensive model of Apple's premium Watch. It uses Apple's S5 chip, an outdated chipset, and offers less functionality.

Here’s a complete comparison between Apple Watch Series 6 vs SE. Let us take a look!

Apple Watch Series 6

The Apple Watch Series 6 contains the most sophisticated features Apple offers on a wristwatch, with a screen that is even brighter than the Apple Watch SE and is easy to view even when it is turned off, starting at $399.

The only Watch with an always-on display and an integrated ECG app is the Series 6. These functions were initially made available on the 2019 Apple Watch Series 5, which Apple no longer sells. 

Additionally, the Series 6 is the first and only Apple Watch to track your blood oxygen levels automatically or on demand as you go about your day and even while you sleep.

Apple Watch SE

This is the Apple Watch to buy if you've never had one. This is a cheaper option than the Series 7 which offers many of the same fantastic features as well as a little longer battery life. 

The main distinction between Apple Watch SE vs series 6—apart from the additional health sensors (ECG and SpO2) —is that the SE lacks an always-on screen watch face. However, if you've never used this smartwatch function, you certainly won't miss it.

Apple Watch SE vs Series 6: Comparison

How do you decide which smartwatch to buy? With our Apple Watch SE vs Series 6 comparison, we're here to assist. Read about the processor, design, fitness features, battery, and other features of each of these two models of Apple Watch:

Apple Watch Series 6 vs SE: Processor

Only Series 6 supports always-on functionality in terms of displays. When you lift your wrist, the SE will turn on in the meanwhile. Both contain inbuilt microphones and speakers as well as 32GB of storage. 

Apple claims that the Series 6 is up to 20% quicker than the SE thanks to a better chipset than the SE. The SE, however, maintains the same specifications as the Series 5. Although there were no concerns about the SE's quick performance, this is a noteworthy fact.

Apple Watch Series 6 vs SE: Design

When it comes to design, the Apple Watch SE and Series 6 are extremely similar. The case materials and available colors are the only variations.

While the Series 6 is available in titanium, stainless steel, and aluminum, users can only find the SE in aluminum. You may even update your gadget with sapphire glass if you choose a more expensive Series 6. Ion-X Glass, which is more prone to scratches, is the only glass available for the Apple Watch SE.

However, there are more style and color options with the Watch Series 6. The Series 6 is available in blue and red in addition to the regular silver, grey, and gold aluminum hues. Additionally, it comes in steel and titanium varieties, each of which has several color possibilities. 

Apple Watch Series 6 vs SE: Fitness Features

The sensors that assess your SpO2 are one significant upgrade that is exclusive to the Watch Series 6. This feature, known as an oximeter, may collect crucial data on your breathing and blood circulation in only 15 seconds and provide a critical context for your overall respiratory and heart health. Considering blood oxygen readings are an indication of how severely COVID-19 is impacting your body, it is especially crucial for people who are impacted.

Both devices may manually track several workouts in addition to automatically recording a wide range of exercises. Both of them keep track of your energy when awake and asleep, standing time, distance traveled, number of floors climbed, and more.

Apple Watch Series 6 vs SE: Battery

Apple Watch Series 6 promises enhanced battery life for monitoring some exercises, such as indoor and outdoor runs, and quicker charging, finishing a full battery in less than one and a half hours. Additionally, the Series 6 has been adjusted such that it shouldn't be harmed by its always-on display.

It likely isn't worthwhile to favor the Series 6 based just on faster charging and somewhat better battery consumption during specific activities as the battery performance of both versions is essentially the same. 

Instead, the Series 6's power and recharging updates continue to be a significant sign of how the gadget delivers a number of tiny but significant upgrades over the Apple Watch SE.

Apple Watch Series 6 vs SE: App & OS Compatibility

WatchOS 8 is supported with the Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 6. In addition to new fitness capabilities, Apple's latest operating system also has improved Wallet and Mindfulness apps.

The two watches' prior WatchOS 7 software included Family Setup. You may use the functionality to connect an iPhone to another person's Apple Watch, whether they are a small child or an old person in your family. Then, you may add limits, such as restricting contacts and application installations or turning on automated location monitoring. There is no requirement that the other person owns an iPhone. 

Additionally, WatchOS 7 included a variety of new watch faces, including several for Memoji stickers.

Apple Watch Series 6 vs SE: Price

The pricing of the Apple Watch SE is hard not to get enthused about. Its $279 beginning price places it directly between the $399 Series 6 and the $199 Series 3, respectively. 

In other words, consumers benefit from an upgraded CPU and sharper display for just $80 more than the price of a Series 3. Similarly, they may save over $100 by removing a few sensors.

The pricing of the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE is affordable for what they offer, which is the most significant point. With great app support, a trendy design, and a tonne of exercise, wellness, and sleep monitoring functions, their worth is therefore difficult to contest.

Apple Watch SE vs Series 6: Summary

Here’s a quick summary of Apple Watch SE vs series 6:

Apple Watch Series 6 vs SE: Which One Should You Buy?

Apple Watch Series 6 has additional features including blood oxygen tracking, the U1 and S6 processors, and an always-on altimeter, making it a significant upgrade over the older Series 5 model. The Apple Watch Series 6 will be the preferred device for individuals who want more from their wearable due to its always-on display, sophisticated health monitoring functions, and selection of colors and finishes. The Apple Watch Series 6 is the perfect model for you if you are especially focused on health tracking or just enjoy a certain case and color scheme.

Alternatively, the Apple Watch SE is a very attractive alternative if you are on a tight budget and are not especially drawn to the extra capabilities of the Series 6. For a lot of Apple Watch users, especially those who are brand-new to the gadget, the SE model is the preferred choice.

Apple Watch Series 6 vs SE - FAQs