Here's how to choose between Apple Watch Series 6, SE, and older models 1

Here’s how to choose between Apple Watch Series 6, SE, and older models

Apple has announced two new smartwatches: Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE. Usually, every new Apple Watch sits at the top of the company’s lineup, making older ones a little cheaper as a result, but this year’s pace is different. The new Apple Watch SE looks a lot like the new $399 Series 6, but lacks a few standout features to make it to $279 less.

So which one should you get and how do these smartwatches compare to each other? Should you switch to Series 6 instead of SE? What happened to Series 5 that came out last year? And are you really missing out if you buy the cheapest Series 3 Watch? It’s getting more and more complex to spot the differences, so we’ll explain the features below to make your buying decision a little clearer.

Apple offers a comprehensive look at all the features of each model right here, but if you want a quick look at the specs, check out the table below. Let’s also point out: we haven’t used the Series 6 or Apple Watch SE yet, so don’t let these specs just guide you; Numbers don’t always tell you everything you need to know about technology.

Apple Watch specs comparison

categories Apple Watch Series 6 Apple Watch SE Apple Watch Series 5 Apple Watch Series 3
categories Apple Watch Series 6 Apple Watch SE Apple Watch Series 5 Apple Watch Series 3
starting price $399 $279 $399 $199
Processor S6 dual core processor S5 dual core processor S5 dual core processor S3 dual core processor
watchOS version watchOS 7 watchOS 7 watchOS 7 watchOS 7
water resistance Water resistant up to 50 meters Water resistant up to 50 meters Water resistant up to 50 meters Water resistant up to 50 meters
connection Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth 4.2
LTE Yes, $499 yes, $329 yes but hard to find yes but hard to find
Built-in microphone and speaker Yup Yup Yup Yup
W-series Wireless chip W3 W3 W3 W2
U1 Ultra Wideband support Yup Number Number Number
Always-on altimeter Yup Yup No, but it still has an altimeter No, but it still has an altimeter
Compass Yup Yup Yup Number
Digital Crown haptic feedback Yup Yup Yup Number
heart sensor second generation optical heart sensor optical heart sensor second generation optical heart sensor optical heart sensor
Case dimensions 44mm, 40mm 44mm, 40mm 44mm, 40mm 38mm,42mm
view Always-on OLED Retina display OLED Retina display Always-on OLED Retina display OLED Retina display
Screen size (approx.) 44mm: 1.78″, 40mm: 1.57″ 44mm: 1.78″, 40mm: 1.57″ 44mm: 1.78″, 40mm: 1.57″ 42mm: 1.65″, 38mm: 1.5″
Screen resolution 44mm: 368 x 448, 40mm: 324 x 394 44mm: 368 x 448, 40mm: 324 x 394 44mm: 368 x 448, 40mm: 324 x 394 42mm: 312 x 390, 38mm: 272 x 340
to store 32GB 32GB 32GB 8GB
battery life up to 18 hours up to 18 hours up to 18 hours up to 18 hours
Family Setup support Yes, with cellular version Yes, with cellular version Yes, with cellular version Number
Fall detection? Yup Yup Yup Number
Emergency SOS Yup Yup Yup Yup
ECG app Yup Number Yup Number
Blood Oxygen application Yup Number Number Number
Noise monitoring Yup Yup Yup Number
High, low, or irregular heart notifications Yup Yup Yup Yup
optical heart sensor Yup Yup Yup Yup

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