ReviewFinder Smartwatches

Apple Watch SE 2

🤖 Beep-boop. I can read reviews REALLY FAST and summarize. Do you have any questions about Apple Watch SE 2?
Features
Battery life
Design
Apps
Connectivity
Compatibility
User interface
Brand reputation
Expand

10 Verified Hands-On Reviews

To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.

Expert reviews [10]

85
Total expert reviews: 10
  • with a score: 6
  • without a score: 4
Highest score by Digital Trends
90
Average score based on 10 reviews
85
Lowest score by T3
80

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
90
The Apple Watch SE 2 is a budget-friendly smartwatch that offers all the essential features and performance of its more expensive counterparts, making it a great value for the price. With its comfortable design, comprehensive fitness tracking capabilities, and impressive battery life, it is a strong contender for those looking for an affordable smartwatch.
+ pros
  • Budget-friendly option that offers all essential features of more expensive counterparts.
  • Comfortable to wear throughout the day with comprehensive fitness tracking capabilities.
  • Excellent smartwatch software and powered by the latest processor.
  • Familiar aluminum build with different colors and case sizes, lightweight and comfortable to wear.
  • On par performance with more expensive models, handles notifications well, and wide selection of apps available.
  • Basic health and fitness tracking features, swimproof, and supports redesigned compass app.
  • Impressive battery life lasting up to two full days with regular use.
- cons
  • Charging time is slow, taking over two hours to fully charge.
  • Lack of always-on screen compared to Series 8.
  • May not provide as much data as other fitness trackers.
  • Additional cost for cellular connectivity.
  • Does not have all the bells and whistles of the Series 8.
Show all 10 reviews
ReviewFinder: authentic product reviews summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The Apple Watch SE 2 is a feature-packed smartwatch that offers extensive fitness tracking, smart assistant capabilities, durable design, and seamless integration with iOS devices, making it an ideal choice for iOS users.

The Apple Watch SE 2 is a feature-packed smartwatch that caters to fitness enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, and those seeking a convenient extension of their iPhone. It offers extensive fitness tracking features, accurate heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, fall detection, and noise detection.

The built-in GPS is notably accurate, allowing for precise tracking of outdoor activities without needing a phone. The watch seamlessly integrates with Siri, providing smart assistant capabilities for tasks like making calls and setting reminders. It also offers unique features like emergency SOS and fall detection, crash detection, noise monitoring, and a backtrack feature.

The watch has an average battery life of around 24 hours, with the ability to last longer in Low Power Mode. It has a durable and high-quality design, with a lightweight aluminum case, comfortable composite nylon backing, and scratch-resistant Ion-X glass. The display is bright and colorful, offering excellent visibility even under direct sunlight.

The watch faces are customizable, and there are various bands and straps to choose from. The Apple Watch SE 2 offers a wide range of popular apps that enhance its functionality, including fitness apps, music apps, and productivity apps. It offers seamless connectivity with smartphones and other devices, with reliable wireless connectivity and strong haptics for notifications.

The watch is specifically compatible with iPhones running iOS 15 or later, allowing for seamless integration with iOS devices. Overall, the Apple Watch SE 2 provides a comprehensive and seamless experience for iOS users, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a versatile and useful smartwatch.

Features

The Apple Watch SE 2 offers extensive fitness tracking features, accurate heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, fall detection, and more, making it a comprehensive and convenient device for fitness enthusiasts and iPhone users.

The Apple Watch SE 2 offers extensive fitness tracking features, including tracking steps, running, cycling, and more. It provides accurate heart rate monitoring at rest and during workouts, with notifications for high, low, and irregular heart rates. The watch also includes sleep tracking, fall detection, and noise detection.

It is swimproof up to 50 meters and has a redesigned compass app. While it lacks advanced health measurements like blood oxygen and ECG, it still offers a comprehensive fitness tracking experience. The built-in GPS is notably accurate, allowing for accurate tracking of outdoor activities without needing a phone.

The watch seamlessly integrates with Siri, providing smart assistant capabilities for tasks like making calls and setting reminders. Unique features include seamless integration with iOS devices, unmatched app support, emergency SOS and fall detection, crash detection, noise monitoring, and a backtrack feature.

Overall, the Apple Watch SE 2 offers a wide range of features that cater to fitness enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, and those seeking a convenient extension of their iPhone.

Show product research

Battery life

The Apple Watch SE 2 has an average battery life of around 24 hours, with the option to extend it further in Low Power Mode, but lacks fast charging technology.

The Apple Watch SE 2 has an average battery life of around 24 hours, according to expert reviews. Some reviewers have even reported that the battery lasted more than 40 hours in Low Power Mode. The charging time for the watch is approximately an hour and a half to go from 0% to 100% battery.

The watch does not feature fast charging technology, unlike more expensive Apple Watch models.

The Apple Watch SE 2 does have a power-saving mode called Low Power Mode, which disables power-draining features and extends battery life. Certain features and apps, such as the always-on display mode, heavy cellular usage, frequent GPS tracking, and sleep tracking, can significantly drain the battery faster.

However, the lack of an always-on display mode may actually help conserve battery life compared to other Apple Watch models.

The battery life of the Apple Watch SE 2 can vary depending on the type of activities or workouts being tracked. If you track GPS workouts every day, the battery life may last for about two full days. However, if you don't track your sleep or engage in GPS workouts, the battery can last up to 18 hours, which is the conservative estimate provided by Apple.

Overall, the Apple Watch SE 2 is recommended for users who primarily use it for daily activities and workouts, rather than power-intensive features. It is important to charge the watch overnight for optimal battery performance.

Show product research

Design

The Apple Watch SE 2 combines a durable and high-quality design with a comfortable fit, customizable bands, and a bright and colorful display, making it a versatile and visually appealing smartwatch option.

The Apple Watch SE 2 has a durable and high-quality design, constructed with a combination of materials such as aluminum, composite nylon backing, and Ion-X glass. The aluminum case provides strength and durability while keeping the watch lightweight. The composite nylon backing material not only reduces the carbon footprint but also enhances comfort during extended wear.

The Ion-X glass offers protection against scratches and impacts.

The Apple Watch SE 2 has a recognizable and comfortable design, making it suitable for various activities and comfortable to wear for extended periods. It has a watch-like appearance and is considered one of the easiest and most comfortable watches to wear. The fit and finish of the watch are highly regarded, with experts praising its comfort and design.

The display on the Apple Watch SE 2 is bright and colorful, offering excellent visibility even under direct sunlight with 1,000 nits of brightness. The Retina OLED display delivers sharp and clear visuals, although the resolution may be lower compared to higher-end models. The watch faces are customizable and add style and useful information to the wrist.

The Apple Watch SE 2 offers a wide range of bands and straps to choose from, including silicone, loop, metal, leather, and nylon options. Each type of band has its own comfort, adjustability, and style characteristics, catering to different preferences and use cases.

Overall, the Apple Watch SE 2 maintains the iconic and sleek design of the Apple Watch series while offering durability, comfort, and the ability to personalize with different bands and accessories. It is suitable for various activities and provides a visually appealing experience with its bright and clear display.

Show product research

Apps

The Apple Watch SE 2 offers a wide range of popular apps that enhance its functionality, including fitness apps, music apps, sleep tracking apps, and more.

The Apple Watch SE 2 offers a wide range of popular apps that enhance its functionality. Some of the most popular apps include the built-in Workouts app, which allows users to track various activities and provides detailed metrics and analysis. Strava is another popular fitness app that offers GPS tracking, route planning, and social sharing for activities like running and cycling.

Apple Fitness+ is a subscription-based fitness service that offers a variety of workout classes, and with the Apple Watch SE 2, users can track their metrics and participate in guided workouts directly from their wrist. Spotify allows users to control music playback and access their library, while Sleep Cycle monitors sleep patterns and provides insights into sleep quality.

The Uber app allows users to request rides and track their driver's location, and Yelp helps users find nearby restaurants, shops, and services. Nike Run Club offers guided runs, personalized coaching, and real-time tracking for runners. Overall, the Apple Watch SE 2 offers a comprehensive selection of apps for fitness, productivity, communication, and more, making it a versatile and useful smartwatch.

Show product research

Connectivity

The Apple Watch SE 2 offers seamless connectivity with smartphones and other devices, allowing users to easily pair their watch with their iPhone and connect to Wi-Fi networks, headphones, and speakers for tasks such as streaming music and receiving notifications.

The Apple Watch SE 2 offers seamless connectivity with smartphones and other devices. To connect the watch to a smartphone, users need to follow a simple pairing process through the Watch app on their iPhone. The watch has both Wi-Fi and cellular options, allowing users to connect to a Wi-Fi network for internet access and other online features.

It can also connect to other devices such as headphones or speakers, enabling users to pair their AirPods and stream music from Apple Music. The connection between the Apple Watch SE 2 and other devices is described as reliable, with a strong wireless chip and a wide range. Notifications appear promptly on the watch's screen, and the haptics provide a satisfying alert.

The watch's speaker and microphone are also praised for their quality, making it suitable for taking calls and streaming music. However, it's important to note that the Apple Watch SE 2 is only compatible with iOS devices and is not compatible with Android phones. Overall, the Apple Watch SE 2 offers reliable connectivity for tasks such as streaming music and receiving notifications, enhancing the user experience.

Show product research

Compatibility

The Apple Watch SE 2 is compatible with iPhones running iOS 15 or later, allowing for seamless integration and a comprehensive experience for iOS users.

The Apple Watch SE 2 is compatible with iPhones running iOS 15 or later. It offers seamless integration with iOS devices, allowing users to connect to their iPhones and iPads. This compatibility allows for various use cases, such as making and receiving phone calls, responding to texts, checking notifications, and even viewing images.

The Apple Watch SE 2 can also be paired with AirPods for wireless audio streaming. However, it should be noted that the Apple Watch SE 2 is not compatible with Android phones. It is specifically compatible with iPhone models running iOS 14 or later, including iPhone 6s or later, iPhone SE (1st generation), and iPhone SE (2nd generation).

Overall, the Apple Watch SE 2 offers a comprehensive and seamless experience for iOS users.

Show product research

Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all smartwatches.

Rank Change Price Smartwatch
TechRadar
Wareable
10Beasts
Trusted Reviews
Tom's Guide
Popular Science
PCMag
Ars Technica
Android Authority
Reviewed
1
- Check price
Apple Watch Series 10
-
1
-
1
1
-
1
-
2
-
2
- Check price
Apple Watch Ultra 2
1
6
-
8
6
-
7
-
-
6
3
- $350
Google Pixel Watch 3
4
2
-
-
3
-
9
-
1
-
4
- $250
OnePlus Watch 2
5
-
-
3
-
-
10
-
5
5
Show all rows
The best Apple Watch for iPhone users on a budget
4 Dec 2024 (1 month ago)
Read article
The best value Apple Watch
20 Nov 2024 (1 month ago)
Read article