At the September 15 event, Apple announced the new Apple Watch SE and was immediately available for purchase.
The SE has the same design as the Apple Watch Series 4/5/6 and later, but it comes with the S5 chip, built-in compass, and watchOS 7 preinstalled. It supports GymKit, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, fall detection, and hand-washing detection.
It’s compatible with all Apple Watch bands, including the new silicone Solo Loop and yarn Braided Solo Loop that Apple also announced today.
The SE will be available in 40mm and 44mm with GPS and cellular versions. It’s also water-resistant up to 50 meters, so it’s usable for swimming. It will also be compatible with Apple Fitness+ when it’s available. A subscription to Fitness+ includes workout tracking and virtual classes. It’s the first fitness service built by Apple for Apple Watch. If you purchase a new watch, you’ll get three free months with the purchase of a watch ($9.99 per month or $79.99 per year after the promotion expires).
With the S5 System in Package (SiP) and dual-core processor, The SE is said to be up to two times faster than Apple Watch Series 3.
With the new Apple Watch Family Setup, the SE will likely be a popular choice for parents wanting to give their kid a ‘basic’ cell phone.
“For family members who do not have an iPhone, Apple Watch offers a remarkable set of features that can help them keep in touch with loved ones, be more active, and stay safe,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. “With Family Setup, we’re thrilled to extend these features to the entire family, so everyone can gain more independence and live a healthier life.”
