Apple Watch SE (2022) vs. Apple Watch Series 7: The Ultimate Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch SE (2022) is the clear winner for budget-conscious buyers seeking essential smartwatch features. The Series 7 provides a superior display, faster charging, and a few extra health sensors, justifying its higher price for those prioritizing those upgrades.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple Watch SE (2022) | Apple Watch Series 7 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 07 | 2021, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 16 | Available. Released 2021, October 15 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.73 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 33 g (1.16 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| 50m water resistant | IP6X certified 50m water resistant ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Ion-X strengthened glass | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.78 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Apple S8 | Apple S7 |
| GPU | PowerVR | PowerVR |
| OS | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to 9.4 | watchOS 8.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | - | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate (2nd gen), barometer, always-on altimeter, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max |
| Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 296 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 309 mAh (1.19 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Midnight, Starlight, Silver | Graphite, Gold, Silver |
| Models | A2722, A2723, A2724, A2727, A2856, A2725, A2726, A2855, watch6,10, watch6,11, watch6,12, watch6,13 | A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,8, watch6,9 |
| Price | € 289.00 | About 310 EUR |
| SAR | 0.27 W/kg (head) 1.96 W/kg (body) | 1.10 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.27 W/kg (head) 1.96 W/kg (body) | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) |
| Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| No | No | |
Apple Watch SE (2022)
- Excellent value for money
- Core Apple Watch features
- Durable design
- Improved performance over previous SE
- Smaller display
- No always-on display
- Lacks ECG and blood oxygen sensors
- Slower charging
Apple Watch Series 7
- Larger, brighter display
- Always-on display
- Faster charging
- ECG and blood oxygen sensors
- More premium design
- Higher price
- Battery life similar to SE (2022)
- Performance gains over SE (2022) are minimal
Display Comparison
The Series 7's display is significantly larger and brighter than the SE (2022). Its always-on display is a major convenience, allowing you to glance at the time and notifications without raising your wrist. The SE (2022) has a perfectly adequate display, but it lacks the vibrancy and always-on functionality.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Apple Watch SE (2022) nor the Series 7 have a built-in camera. This is a consistent feature across all Apple Watch models.
Performance
While both watches share a dual-core processor, the S8 in the SE (2022) and the S7 in the Series 7 offer similar performance for everyday tasks. App loading times and general responsiveness are comparable. However, the Series 7's slightly more refined software optimization might offer a marginal edge in some scenarios.
Battery Life
The Series 7 offers faster charging (0-80% in 45 minutes) compared to the SE (2022). Both watches offer roughly the same battery life, typically lasting around 18 hours with moderate use. Heavy GPS usage will drain the battery faster on both devices.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Apple Watch SE (2022)? Fitness enthusiasts on a budget, first-time smartwatch users, and those who want core Apple Watch functionality without the premium price tag. Who should buy the Apple Watch Series 7? Users who value a larger, always-on display, faster charging, and the ECG and blood oxygen sensors.