Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Watch SE 2: which is better?
By ForGeeks Apple Watch celebrated its first big birthday. Watch Series 10 — it’s the 10th generation of Apple’s wearable device, bringing a host of new changes while maintaining the very foundation that makes Apple Watch special.
It’s still not the most affordable smartwatch out there, however, but Apple does offer a two-year entry-level Watch SE 2 model. If you’re on a tight budget and want to try out the Apple Watch, should you buy the Watch SE 2 or should you splurge on the Apple Watch Series 10? Let’s find out.
Technical specs
| Characteristics | Watch Series 10 | Watch SE 2 |
| Variations | – 42 mm – 46 mm | – 40 mm – 44 mm |
| Dimensions | – 46 mm x 39 mm x 9,7 mm (46 mm) – 42 mm x 36 mm x 9.7 mm (42 mm) | – 44 mm x 38 mm x 10.7 mm (44 mm) – 40 mm x 34 mm x 10,7 mm (40 mm) |
| Weight | – 36,4 grams (aluminum, GPS, 46 mm) – 35.3 grams (aluminum, GPS + cellular, 46 mm) – 41.7 grams (titanium, 46 mm) – 30 grams (aluminum, GPS, 42 mm) – 29.3 grams (aluminum, GPS + cellular, 42 mm) – 34.4 grams (titanium, 42 mm) | – 32.9 grams (aluminum, GPS, 44 mm) – 33 grams (aluminum, GPS + cellular, 44 mm) – 26.4 grams (aluminum, GPS, 40 mm) – 27.8 grams (aluminum, GPS + cellular, 40 mm) |
| Color | -Black Aluminum – Rose Gold Aluminum – Silver Aluminum – Slate Titanium – Gold Titanium – Natural Titanium | – Gold Aluminum – Midnight Aluminum – Silver Aluminum |
| Display | – Always-on Retina LTPO3 OLED display – Wide-angle OLED display – Brightness up to 2000 nits, minimum brightness 1 nit – Resolution 416 x 496 pixels, display area of 1220 sq. mm (46 mm) – Resolution 374 x 446 pixels, display area 989 sq. mm (42 mm) – 40% brighter when viewed at an angle | – LTPO Retina OLED display – Brightness up to 1000 nits – Resolution 368 x 448 pixels, display area 977 sq. mm (44 mm) – Resolution 324 x 394 pixels, display area 759 sq. mm (40 mm) |
| Processor | – S10 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor – Apple W3 wireless chip – Second-generation ultra-wideband clock – 4-nuclear neural engine | – S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor – Dual-core neural engine |
| Memory | 64GB | 32GB |
| Health and fitness tracking | – ECG – Third generation optical heart rate sensor – Cycle tracking – Daily wrist temperature tracking – Sleep tracking – Sleep apnea notifications – App to measure vital signs (heart rate, respiration, wrist temperature, sleep duration) – Depth sensor – Water temperature sensor | – Second generation optical heart rate sensor – Cycle tracking – Wrist temperature tracking – Wrist temperature tracking – Sleep tracking – App to measure vital signs (heart rate, breathing, wrist temperature, sleep duration) |
| Double tap | Yes | No |
| Operation time | – Up to 18 hours – Up to 36 hours of operation in low power mode | – Up to 18 hours – Up to 36 hours of low-power operation |
| Charge time | 0-80% in 30 minutes | 0-80% in 90 minutes |
| Price | from 55,799 rubles | from 25,999 rubles |
Design and display
The Series 10 watch was announced at Apple’s Glowtime event and underwent a significant redesign, while the SE 2 follows the same design language as previous versions of the watch. The result is a stark contrast between the two.
The Series 10 is 1mm thinner, a little heavier, and a little bigger than the Watch SE 2, but they have a much larger display. Despite the larger display, they feel better on the wrist thanks to a slimmer design that gives them a high-end feel.
Watch Series 10 has a glass front, your choice of titanium or aluminum bezel, and a ceramic and sapphire crystal back cover. In contrast, the Watch SE 2 is much less premium, as it replaces ceramic with plastic and has an aluminum-only bezel.
Watch SE 2 is much less premium, as it replaces ceramic with plastic and has an aluminum-only bezel.
The Watch Series 10’s display is also much better. It’s bigger, its pixel density is slightly higher, and its peak brightness is 2,000 nits. The Apple Watch SE 2 — s display is still the same Retina OLED with a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, but the difference between the two is noticeable. The Series 10 has a sapphire glass front panel, which should be much more durable than the reinforced Ion-X glass in the Apple Watch SE 2.
Sapphire glass front panel.
Although both displays use LTPO technology, only the Watch Series 10 has a display that always stays on. They also have a much wider viewing angle, so you can see the display from a wider angle.
Watch Series 10 has a much wider viewing angle.
Unquestionably, the Watch Series 10 — is simply a better-looking watch. They’re thinner, bigger, have a better-looking and brighter display, and have features you’d want from a smartwatch like an always-on display and sapphire crystal protection. That’s where the differences between the two watches are most noticeable.
The differences between the two watches are most noticeable.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 10
Health and Fitness Tracking
Watch Series 10 runs the watchOS 11 operating system, while the Watch SE 2 can be upgraded to the same platform. Despite having the same version of the operating system, the more affordable Apple Watch lacks a number of health-related features.
Watch Series 10
The lack of ECG and temperature sensors means you’ll lose features like ECG recording, advanced heart-rate monitoring, and temperature measurement. Both watches have sleep tracking, but the Watch Series 10 collects more data and can also detect sleep apnea.
Sleep tracking is available on both watches, but the Watch Series 10 collects more data and can also detect sleep apnea.
The two watches access the Training Load and Vitals apps, with the latter offering a visual representation of statistics such as heart rate, respiration rate and sleep duration. Watch Series 10 can detect wrist temperature overnight, allowing you to tell exactly —whether or not you’re sick, track your menstruation with retrospective ovulation estimation, while Watch SE 2 offers basic cycle tracking.
Watch SE 2 offers basic cycle tracking.
If you like to swim or dive, Watch SE 2 also has more features. It’s water-resistant and vibration-proof to just 50 meters, while the Watch Series 10 has a water temperature sensor and a depth gauge up to six meters for more detailed workout stats.
Watch Series 10 offers a water temperature sensor and a depth gauge up to six meters for more detailed workout stats.
It’s a close comparison, but the Apple Watch Series 10 offers only a few more features. However, the Watch SE 2 offers all the basic health features at a lower price, so you won’t lose too much. If you’re not too concerned about the Apple Watch Series 10’s exclusive features, you can foot the bill.
Verdict: Apple Watch Series 10
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Software and performance
Apple Watch Series 10 is powered by the S10 SiP processor and features the dual-touch gesture that appeared in the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 last year. The Watch SE 2, on the other hand, uses the two-year-old S8 SiP, which deprives it of some features, such as accurate iPhone search and faster charging.
Apple Watch SE 2 is based on the S8 SiP from two years ago.
There’s also a noticeable difference in performance when using Siri. The S10 SiP offers a much faster Siri that sits on the device and can access your health data, while the S8 SiP is more limited and offers a more basic version of the voice assistant.
The S8 SiP is more limited and offers a more basic version of the voice assistant.
While the S10 SiP is better, however, there’s little reason to upgrade your watch just because of the processor. The Watch SE 2 offers nearly the same features, doesn’t lag behind, and is more than capable of upgrading in the future.
Watch SE 2 offers nearly the same features, doesn’t lag behind, and is more than capable of upgrading in the future.
How many updates there will be — is unknown: most Apple Watches are supported for about five years, so if you buy a Watch SE 2, they may only get three updates. The Watch Series 10 is guaranteed to get updates longer than any other modern smartwatch.
Watch Series 10 is guaranteed to get updates longer than any other modern smartwatch.
Watch Series 10 is faster, but the difference isn’t that noticeable, and you shouldn’t use them as the only reason to upgrade.
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Verdict: Tie
Battery and charging
Apple Watch Series 10 and Watch SE 2 are both claimed to offer up to 18 hours of battery life, but there are still significant differences. The Watch SE 2 is likely to last a little less than the Series 10, which we’ve seen last at least 24 hours.
Apple Watch SE 2 will likely last a little less than the Series 10, which we’ve seen last at least 24 hours.
This year, Apple changed its charging system: the Watch Series 10 now charges much faster than any other Apple Watch. In our tests, they charge to a full charge in less than an hour, and a 15-minute charge is enough for 12 hours of use. No argument there.
The Series 10 charges better than any Apple Watch, almost twice as fast as the Watch SE 2.
The Series 10 charges better than any Apple Watch, almost twice as fast as the Watch SE 2.
Verdict: Apple Watch Series 10
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Prices and availability
The main thing that attracts the Watch SE 2, — is their price. The starting price of $249 (24,000 rubles) makes them much cheaper than the Watch Series 10, which starts at $399 (39,000 rubles) and has a top price of $799 (77,000 rubles) for the Titanium model in the largest size with a titanium strap.
At the same time, the Watch SE 2 is a great value.
If you want an Apple Watch SE 2, the 40mm model with GPS costs $249 (24,000 rubles), and the larger 44mm model — another $30 (27,000 rubles). Choosing a model with GPS and cellular connectivity will cost you an additional $50 (32,000 rubles), and choosing the stainless steel Milanese hinge, which features an original design, also costs another $50. The Apple Watch SE 2 has a maximum price of $379 (37,000 rubles).
Apple Watch SE 2 has a maximum price of $379 (37,000 rubles).
If you want the Apple Watch Series 10, its price starts at $399 (RUB 39,000) for the 42mm aluminum case and $699 (RUB 68,000) for the titanium case. The former model comes in options with GPS or GPS and Cellular — the latter option costs 100 dollars more (77.000 rubles), — while the titanium model is only available with GPS and Cellular. If you want the larger 46mm model, it will cost you +$30 for the aluminum build and +$50 for the titanium one.
And if you want to buy the larger 46mm model, it will cost you +$30 for the aluminum build and +$50 for the titanium one.
For a lower price, you get a stripped-down feature set of the Apple Watch SE 2. They’re meant to be your first introduction to the Apple Watch, while the Watch Series 10 represents the top of the non-Ultra product line. The Apple Watch Series 10 has a lot more features, but the price tag may be too high.
Apple Watch Series 10 has a lot more features, but the price tag may be too high.
Total:
Watch Series 10 — is the best Apple Watch you can buy right now, but the starting price of $399 would make it too expensive. If you’re one of those people and want to experience all the magic of the Apple Watch, the Watch SE 2 will provide 75% of those features for less than 75% of the price.
Watch SE 2 is the best Apple Watch you can buy right now.
But if you can upgrade to the Watch Series 10, the extra money is worth it. It’s the largest display in Apple Watch history, the faster charging makes things much better, and the thinner case makes them much more comfortable.
They’re more expensive than the Apple Watch SE 2, but the Watch Series 10 is worth it.
Watch Series 10 is worth it.
