Apple Watch Series 7 Vs SE: Top Full Comparison [2022]

Choosing between the Apple Watch Series 7 vs SE depends on what you’re looking for in a smartwatch. If you’re looking for the latest and greatest features, then the Series 7 is the way to go.

However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, the SE is a great choice. Both watches offer a variety of features and applications, so it comes down to personal preference.

Comparing the Apple Watch Series 7 And The Apple Watch SE

Apple lists the following features for both Apple Watch models:

Design

The Apple Watch SE and Series 7 have a similar design, but the Apple Watch Series 7 has a different design. It features a softened, more rounded design. The device has only one speaker grille, and overall the design has been refined.

Apple Watch Series 7’s display has a refractive edge. This curves around the top, allowing apps and full-screen watch faces to reach almost the casing.

Apple Watch Series 7’s casings are physically larger. They offer 41mm and 45mm models. This is 1mm more than the SE’s 40mm or 44mm casing sizes. The Apple Watch Series 7 model weighs more than the SE models.

The Apple Watch Series 7 comes in aluminum, stainless, and titanium. The Apple Watch SE, however, is only available in aluminum. Apple Watches made with titanium or stainless steel has a sapphire screen. Aluminum models, however, use IonX strengthened glass.

There are two Apple Watch models, each with various finishes and colors. The aluminum casings offer a completely different range of colors.

The Apple Watch SE comes in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold aluminum colors, while the Apple Watch Series 7 comes in Midnight Starlight, Green, and Blue.

You will need to decide which color Apple Watch Series 7 you want if you are not attached to the Space Gray, Silver, or Gold aluminum Apple Watch SE. The different colors are an important consideration, even though it won’t affect which model you choose for your first Apple Watch or if you upgrade from an older model.

The Apple Watch Series 7 is recommended for those who prefer titanium or stainless steel. However, the Apple Watch SE is suitable for those happy with an aluminum case and basic Silver, Space Gray, or Gold finishes.

Durability

The Apple Watch Series 7 is stronger than the SE and features a stronger front crystal. The Apple Watch Series 7’s new crystal component is more durable and over 50% thicker than the Apple Watch SE.

The Apple Watch Series 7 has also been certified IP6X dust-resistant. This makes it more resistant to harsh environments like the desert or beach. Like the SE, the Series 7 is still “swim-proof,” with water resistance of up to 50m.

The Series 7’s improved durability may not be enough to drive single-buyers to purchase it, but it might be a factor for those prone to cracking watches in dusty or sandy places or who have previously cracked their watches.

Displays

The most important difference between the Apple Watch SE & Apple Watch Series 7 is the display size. The SE has borders around the display measuring 3.0mm thick. However, the Series 7 reduces these to just 1.7mm. Thanks to larger casing sizes, the Series 7 displays have almost 20% more screen area.

Apple Watch Series 7 models have a larger display to display more content. Apple optimized watchOS 8 to make the most of this extra space by adding larger buttons and menu titles to apps. Two additional font sizes are available, and QuickPath now supports QuickPath.

Two watch faces are available for the Apple Watch Series 7, which showcases the Series 7’s larger displays and smaller borders. The Contour face brings an animated dial to the edge of the display and highlights the current hour. Modular Duo’s new face makes the most of the extra screen space by adding two large central complications.

The Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7 come with the Retina OLED display. The maximum brightness is 1,000 nits.

The Series 7 has an always-on display. The display will remain on even if you lower your wrist. This allows you to see the watch’s face every time you move your wrist. Users can access the Notification Center or Control Center when their wrist is lower, tap on any complications, and swipe to change their faces without waking their watch.

Apple Watch SE doesn’t have an Always-On Display. Users will need to tap or raise their wrist to see the watch’s face.

The Apple Watch SE’s display is sufficient for most users unless you need to see your watch face constantly without lifting your wrist. The Series 7 improves watchOS by adding more space for UI elements and a full-sized keyboard. The Series 7 may be better than the SE for those who want a larger Apple Watch display. However, for most people, the SE will suffice.

S5 vs. S7 Chip

The Apple Watch Series 7 uses the S7 chip. It is based on the S6 chip in the Apple Watch Series 6. Both CPUs share the same identifier because of the similarities.

Apple claims that the S7 chip offers a 20% performance improvement over S5 in the Apple Watch SE. This allows apps to launch up 20 percent faster and maintains the same 18-hour battery life.

Apple Watch SE inherits Series 5’s S5 dual-core processor. This “delivers an incredibly fast performance,” Apple claims. The S5 can run up to twice as fast as the Apple Watch Series 3.

Although the S7 chip isn’t a significant reason to choose Apple Watch Series 7, it does offer a slight performance boost. The Apple Watch Series 5’s S5 chip was already capable, and the S7 chip is better.

The S7 chip’s performance improvements over the S5 are not enough to justify the Apple Watch Series 7 over its Apple Watch SE unless you need to launch apps quickly. The Apple Watch SE’s chip is fast enough to meet the majority of users’ needs.

U1 Ultra-Wideband chip

Only the Apple Watch Series 7 has the U1 Ultra Wideband Chip. Apple claims that the U1 Ultra Wideband chip on Apple Watch “enables short-range wireless positioning to support new experiences such as next-generation digital car keys and tracking AirTags.

It is possible to measure the distance between two devices that support ultrawideband by simply calculating the time it takes for radio waves to travel between them. This method is more precise than Bluetooth LE or Wi-Fi.

The U1 chip has very limited use cases, so it’s probably not worth buying the Apple Watch Series 7. The U1 chip is a great option if you intend to keep your Apple Watch Series 7 for many years. It will make it more durable and more long-lasting because it will be able to handle more functions in the future.

Charging

Apple claims that both Apple Watch models have a battery life of 18 hours. However, the Apple Watch Series 7 has 33 percent faster charging than Series 6. This is due to a new charging technology, which charges faster than the Series SE. The Apple Watch Series 6 can charge up to 100% in about an hour, while the Series 7 can reach 80% in 45 minutes.

Apple claims that the Series 7 can be charged in just eight minutes and provide eight hours of sleep tracking. This is due to the new USB-C magnetic fast charger cable included in the Apple Watch Series 7.

The battery life of both models is almost identical, so it’s probably not worth choosing the Series 7 just for the faster-charging speed and slightly better battery usage during certain activities. Instead, the Series 7’s battery life and charging enhancements are a good indicator of how the device provides a variety of small but significant improvements over the Apple Watch SE.

The Series 7’s faster-charging speed could make it easier to charge your Apple Watch, especially if you are short on time. Both devices have the same 18-hour battery life, and both will need to be charged every day.

Health Monitoring

Apple Watch Series 7 offers blood oxygen monitoring. This feature monitors the oxygen saturation in the blood to help users better understand their health and well-being. SpO2, also known as oxygen saturation, is the percentage of oxygen carried by red blood cells to the rest of your body. It indicates how well-oxygenated blood is being delivered throughout your body.

The Apple Watch Series 6 features a blood oxygen sensor at its rear. It has four clusters of infrared, green, and red LEDs. The sensors measure the light reflected by blood and can calculate blood oxygen saturation using an advanced algorithm.

The Blood Oxygen app can take on-demand measurements and background measurements, and measurements during sleep. The Health app displays all data and allows users to track trends over time. This will allow them to see how blood oxygen levels have changed.

The Apple Watch Series 7 also includes the previous model’s electrical heart sensor, which is used for electrocardiograms or ECGs. The Apple Watch Series 7 features electrodes in the Digital Crown and an electrical heart rate sensor at the rear.

The ECG app allows users to touch the Digital Crown for a 30-second classification of their heart rhythm. It will determine if the heartbeats are in a normal rhythm or if there are signs of Atrial Fibrillation, leading to serious health problems.

All recorded information, including their classifications and any symptoms, are saved in the Health app as a PDF which can be shared with doctors.

The Apple Watch SE doesn’t have an electrical heart sensor or blood oxygen sensor that can monitor these health statistics. The Apple Watch SE can record any data.

The Apple Watch SE features an optical heart sensor that monitors heart rate and can notify you about irregular heart rhythm, high or low and an abnormal heartbeat. This lower-cost model can still perform emergency SOS and fall detection as well as noise monitoring, just like Apple Watch Series 7.

The main attraction of the Apple Watch Series 7 is its additional health monitoring features. The Apple Watch Series 7 is the best option if interested in ECG and blood oxygen monitoring. The Apple Watch SE has more advanced health monitoring capabilities, even if these features are not important to you.

Prices and availability

The Apple Watch 7 41mm starts at $399, and the 45mm Apple Watch 7 starts from $429. Cellular support costs $100 more and allows your Apple Watch to stay connected even if it isn’t tethered to your iPhone.

The Apple Watch SE starts at $279, or less, with the best Apple Watch offers. The 40mm model is $329, while the 44mm model is $359. There is a $50 surcharge for LTE support.

Apple Watch 7 vs. Apple Watch SE: Which should you buy?

The Apple Watch SE will remain so that shoppers can choose between a new flagship model and a reliable midrange version. To help you decide which version is best for you, we recommend that you read our Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch 3 face-off. However, we suggest that you keep your choice between the Apple Watch 7 and the Apple Watch SE.

It all comes down to your preference for the larger and brighter display and other features such as SpO2 and ECG. The Apple Watch SE is a great option for those who don’t want the larger screen or health sensors. WatchOS 8 will make it even more amazing.

Some relevant posts:

FAQ

Is it worth buying Apple Watch SE?

The Apple Watch SE is an excellent option for people who want to buy their first Apple Watch but don’t want too much. It’s also a good choice for people who are satisfied with the Series 3 or older models and are looking for an affordable upgrade.

Is series six better than Se?

The Apple Watch Series 6 uses the S6 chipet, while the Series SE uses the S5 system. The Watch SE’s setup may not be as advanced as the Series 6, but Apple claims the SE is twice the speed of 2017’s Series 3. Sensors that measure blood oxygen levels are a major upgrade that is only available on the Watch Series 6.

Can I wear my Apple Watch SE in the pool?

Is it possible to swim in the pool? Will chlorine cause damage? Apple Watch Series 1-7, SE, and Series 1-7 are water-resistant. Series 1 can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes but is not waterproof. Series 2 is water-resistant for up to 50m (164ft), but it is not swim-proof.

Conclusion

Apple Watch Series 7 was released on September 16, 2020, and Apple Watch SE was released on September 15, 2020. The two watches are very similar in design and functionality, but some key differences are.

The Series 7 has a slightly larger display, a faster processor, and support for the always-on display. The SE is less expensive and has a slightly smaller display. Thanks for reading.