Here is a possible design for Apple’s upcoming midrange wristwatch.
One of Apple’s potential upcoming smartwatch releases is the Apple Watch SE 2. The SE 2 would expand the company’s options in the midrange wearable market as a successor to the first Apple Watch SE.
Even though the Apple Watch consistently wins the award for best wristwatch, it is also pricey. What if a less expensive version has the majority of the same features? The Apple Watch SE, which costs $279, is a decent option for both experienced smartwatch users and those on a limited budget.
After the first SE was introduced, Apple might be prepared to introduce a second-generation model. The Apple Watch 5’s chipset would probably be replaced by the Apple Watch 6’s or Apple Watch 7’s. A more modern chipset might be saved for the Apple Watch 8’s flagship model in the interim.
Beyond that, there isn’t much information available about the features and design of the Apple Watch SE. Or if it’ll be the ideal addition to the iPhone SE in 2022. Here, though, is what we do know and what we anticipate regarding the alleged smartwatch.
Apple Watch SE 2 latest rumors and news (Updated August 17)
- Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims that Apple will hold its fall launch event on Wednesday, September 7. We expect to see the Apple Watch SE 2 at this event.
- A detailed rumor says we can expect lots of new hardware for the Apple Watch SE 2, including an always-on display and an updated chipset.
Apple Watch SE 2 possible release date and price
We’ve don’t know a possible Apple Watch SE release date yet. But going by previous Apple Watch launches, we’re expecting to see the next Apple Watch debut in September 2022. Now, will that that launch only include the Apple Watch 8? Or will we also see the Apple Watch SE? That’s the big question posed by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in a recent newsletter. According to Gurman, the Apple Watch SE 2 could be one of three new Apple Watch versions coming in 2022, along with the Apple Watch 8 and a rugged Apple Watch variant.
Similarly, there’s no credible rumors about the Apple Watch SE price right now. But Apple has maintained the same Apple Watch price structure throughout all the best Apple Watch models, so we expect the second-generation SE will match the price of the original. The Apple Watch SE starts at $279 for the 40mm model before the best Apple Watch deals, with premiums for the larger 44mm model and cellular connectivity.
Apple Watch SE 2 design
The original Apple Watch SE design Is basically an aesthetic recreation of the Apple Watch 4. Even though it doesn’t pack an ECG reader, it’s still more like the Series 4 than Apple Watch 5 since there’s no always-on display.
Apparently the SE 2 will look basically the same as the first Watch SE, oferring again the same displays sizes and only an aluminum case, a new rumor says. However a lot of the internals are apparently getting updated, as we’ll cover below.
Apple Watch SE 2 specs and features
Of course, if the Apple Watch SE 2 were to look like the Apple Watch 7, there’s a question of what will be inside. We doubt it would get all the Apple Watch 7’s tools, like the Apple Watch Blood Oxygen app. But it should maintain sensors necessary to fitness tracking, like a heart rate readings and GPS.
The first Apple Watch SE also had an always-on altimeter, compass and fall detection, so we expect the SE 2 would, too. The same can be said for a Cellular option — since the Apple Watch 3 isn’t sold in a Cellular version anymore, the Apple Watch SE GPS + Cellular the most affordable way to free an Apple Watch from any of the best iPhones. That makes the Apple Watch SE a good choice for Family Setup, if you want to outfit your child or parent with a smartwatch for communication and safety controls.
The same rumor claims Apple will take the S7 chip out of the Apple Watch 7 and implant it into the SE 2, and give it a new battery (plus possibly fast charging), a better display, new speakers and an ECG sensor. While the price may increase slightly to $299, it still sounds like a great deal if all those features do make it to the SE 2. It could be hard to judge if the Apple Watch 8 is worth another $100, depending on what Apple changes for its next flagship wearable.
Apple Watch SE 2: What we want to see
Much of the Apple Watch performance is centered around watchOS. The first Apple Watch SE can be updated to watchOS 8 (here’s how to download watchOS 8 if you haven’t already), the latest version of Apple’s wearable software improving the messaging options, adding support for digital keys and welcoming the Mindfulness app. When watchOS 9 is teased at the next WWDC, we’ll have a better sense at what the Apple Watch SE 2 experience could look like.
For now, our biggest wishlist item for the Apple Watch SE is the Apple Watch 7’s larger display. It makes a huge difference for day-to-day use, in our opinion. Plus, the Apple Watch is currently sold in three different designs — it would help shoppers to consolidate, even if the SE 2 didn’t get an always-on display.
We also hope the next Apple Watch SE marks the end of the Apple Watch 3. Four years later, it’s time to retire the third-generation Apple Watch. For $80 more, the Apple Watch SE is already stronger sell. Let the SE 2 be the sole and true equivalent of the iPhone SE in Apple’s handset lineup.