Emily Martin 
Dec 03, 2023
Apple Watch is one of the most popular smartwatches in the market, offering a range of features and functionalities that can enhance your lifestyle, fitness, health, and productivity. But with so many models and variations to choose from, how do you decide which one is right for you?
Apple Watch SE vs 8: Comparison
Design and display
Both the Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch 8 have a similar design and display, with a rectangular case, a digital crown, a side button, and an OLED screen. However, there are some differences in the size, material, and resolution of the devices.
- The Apple Watch SE comes in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm, while the Apple Watch 8 comes in three sizes: 41mm, 45mm, and a new 41mm titanium option.
- The Apple Watch SE has an aluminium case, while the Apple Watch 8 has more options, including aluminium, stainless steel, titanium, and ceramic.
- The Apple Watch SE has a resolution of 324 x 394 pixels for the 40mm model and 368 x 448 pixels for the 44mm model, while the Apple Watch 8 has a resolution of 368 x 448 pixels for the 41mm model and 396 x 484 pixels for the 45mm model.
- The Apple Watch 8 also has a new Always-On Retina display feature that allows you to see the time and other information without raising your wrist or tapping the screen.
Performance and battery life
The Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch 8 have different processors that affect their performance and battery life. The Apple Watch SE uses the S5 chip, which is the same as the one used in the Apple Watch Series 5. The Apple Watch 8 uses the S7 chip, which is faster and more efficient than the S5 chip. The S7 chip also enables new features such as blood oxygen monitoring, ECG measurement, and fall detection.
Both devices have a battery life of up to 18 hours on a single charge, but the Apple Watch 8 has a faster charging time, taking only 45 minutes to reach 80% capacity.
Features and functionality
The Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch 8 have many features and functionalities that make them more than just watches.
They can track your activity, heart rate, sleep quality, calories burned, steps taken, distance travelled, and more. They can also connect to your iPhone and other devices via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, allowing you to receive notifications, make calls, send messages, listen to music, use Siri, access apps, and more.
However, there are some features that are exclusive to the Apple Watch 8, such as blood oxygen monitoring, ECG measurement, fall detection, noise level detection, compass, altimeter, international emergency calling, Family Setup (which allows you to set up an Apple Watch for a family member who doesn't have an iPhone), and Fitness+ (a subscription service that offers personalized workouts and guidance from trainers).
Price and availability
The Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch 8 have different price points depending on the size, material, and configuration of the device.
The Apple Watch SE starts at $279 for the 40mm aluminium model with GPS only and goes up to $359 for the 44mm aluminium model with GPS + Cellular. The Apple Watch 8 starts at $399 for the 41mm aluminium model with GPS only and goes up to $849 for the 45mm titanium model with GPS + Cellular.
Both devices are available in various colours and bands that you can customise according to your style. You can order them online or buy them at an Apple Store or other authorised retailers.
DISCLAIMER: The prices are taken as of November 2023 and are subject to change over time.
