Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Apple Watch SE: The Ultimate Showdown
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 7 wins on display and charging speed, offering a larger, brighter screen and significantly faster charging. However, the Apple Watch SE is the clear winner for budget-conscious buyers seeking essential smartwatch functionality without the premium price tag.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple Watch Series 7 | Apple Watch SE |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 14 | 2020, September 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 15 | Available. Released 2020, September 18 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame | Glass front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) | 44 x 38 x 10.4 mm (1.73 x 1.50 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) | 36.4 g (1.27 oz) |
| IP6X certified 50m water resistant ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) | 50m water resistant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal glass | Ion-X strengthened glass |
| Resolution | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.9 inches | 1.78 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 S7 | Apple S5 |
| GPU | PowerVR | PowerVR |
| OS | watchOS 8.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | watchOS 7.0, upgradable to watchOS 10.6.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate (2nd gen), barometer, always-on altimeter, compass |
| Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 309 mAh (1.19 Wh) | Li-Ion |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Graphite, Gold, Silver | Silver, Gold, Space Gray |
| Models | A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,8, watch6,9 | A2353, A2354, A2355, A2356, A2351, A2352 |
| Price | About 310 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) | - |
| Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| No | No | |
Apple Watch Series 7
- Larger, brighter display
- Always-on display
- Faster charging
- ECG and blood oxygen monitoring
- Slightly better performance
- Higher price
- Battery life not dramatically better than SE
Apple Watch SE
- More affordable
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Essential smartwatch features
- Smaller display
- No always-on display
- Slower charging
- Lacks advanced health features like ECG and blood oxygen
Display Comparison
The Series 7 boasts a significantly larger and brighter display with thinner borders, making it easier to read notifications and interact with apps. The SE's display is smaller and lacks the always-on functionality, requiring you to raise your wrist to see the time. The Series 7's edge-to-edge design is a noticeable upgrade.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Series 7 nor the SE have a dedicated camera. This is a consistent feature across all Apple Watch models.
Performance
While both watches use dual-core processors, the Series 7's Apple S7 chip offers a slight performance edge. Apps launch a bit faster, and overall responsiveness feels smoother. However, for most everyday tasks, the SE's S5 chip performs admirably.
Battery Life
The Series 7 offers slightly better battery life than the SE, typically lasting around 18 hours with moderate use. The SE generally provides around 18 hours as well, but heavy usage (GPS tracking, frequent app use) will drain it faster. The Series 7's significantly faster charging (0-80% in 45 minutes) is a major advantage.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Series 7 is ideal for users who prioritize a larger, always-on display, faster charging, and the latest features like ECG and blood oxygen monitoring. The Apple Watch SE is perfect for first-time smartwatch buyers, fitness enthusiasts on a budget, or those who want a reliable Apple Watch experience without breaking the bank.