Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Apple Watch SE: The Ultimate Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Series 8 is the clear winner for health enthusiasts and those wanting the latest features like temperature sensing. However, the SE provides a fantastic smartwatch experience at a significantly lower price, making it ideal for budget-conscious buyers and those new to the Apple Watch ecosystem.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple Watch Series 8 | 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, China, HK | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| 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, 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, 6, 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 | 2022, September 07 | 2020, September 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 16 | 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 S8 | Apple S5 |
| GPU | PowerVR | PowerVR |
| OS | watchOS 9.0, 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 |
| eMMC 5.1 | - | |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, 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, temperature (body) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate (2nd gen), barometer, always-on altimeter, compass |
| Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy) 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 308 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Graphite, Silver, Gold | Silver, Gold, Space Gray |
| Models | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17 | A2353, A2354, A2355, A2356, A2351, A2352 |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) | - |
| Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| No | No | |
Apple Watch Series 8
- Advanced health features (ECG, temperature sensing, blood oxygen)
- Always-on display
- Brighter display
- Faster performance (S8 chip)
- Fast charging (0-80% in 45 min)
- Premium design and materials
- Higher price
- Battery life still requires daily charging
Apple Watch SE
- More affordable
- Excellent value for money
- Good performance for everyday tasks
- Durable design
- Seamless integration with iOS
- Lacks advanced health features (ECG, temperature sensing)
- No always-on display
- Less bright display
- Slightly slower performance compared to Series 8
Display Comparison
The Series 8 features a larger, always-on display with significantly higher brightness than the SE. This makes it easier to read notifications and use apps in direct sunlight. The SE's display is still good, but lacks the always-on functionality and peak brightness.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Series 8 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 8's S8 chip offers a noticeable performance boost, resulting in smoother animations and faster app loading times. The S5 in the SE is still capable, but the difference is apparent during demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Series 8 offers slightly better battery life than the SE, though both require daily charging. The Series 8's fast charging capability (0-80% in 45 minutes) is a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Series 8 is perfect for users prioritizing advanced health tracking (ECG, temperature sensing, blood oxygen), a brighter display, and the latest features. The Apple Watch SE is a great choice for first-time Apple Watch buyers, fitness enthusiasts on a budget, or those who don't need the premium health features.