Whereas I’ve at all times appreciated the Apple Watch, $529 CAD for the Series 6 is quite a bit to ask for a tool that isn’t completely integral to most individuals’s lives.
That’s why I typically discover myself recommending Fitbit’s Versa collection of smartwatches to family and friends in search of a wearable able to sending them notifications and performing fundamental health monitoring. This appears to be the function Apple goals the Apple Watch SE to fill for iPhone customers.
Successfully changing the Series 3 — although the Sequence Three continues to be obtainable within the Apple Store right now for $259 — the Apple Watch SE presents a mixture of a lot of the Series 4’s and Series 5’s greatest options.
First off, the Apple Watch SE contains the identical S5 processor because the Sequence Four and 5, giving it ample energy for each Apple’s personal apps and third-party functions. This additionally makes the Apple Watch SE two occasions quicker than the Sequence 3, which is a formidable {hardware} increase.
It contains the identical OLED show with minimized bezels because the Sequence 4, and whereas I didn’t discover it fairly as shiny because the Sequence 6’s always-on retina show, it’s nonetheless simply seen beneath direct daylight. Additional, the SE options the identical altimeter because the Sequence 6, works with all Watch Bands, contains security options like fall detection and emergency calling, contains coronary heart low/excessive coronary heart charge notifications and has the identical health performance.
The SE presents practically all the things I truly use with the Apple Watch apart from one essential characteristic: the always-on show. For me, the Series 5’s always-on show was an absolute recreation changer and felt like a monumental leap over earlier variations of the Apple Watch.
For the primary time, I had notifications actually obtainable on my wrist at-a-glance. In a means, the Sequence 5 lastly fulfilled the unique Apple Watch’s preliminary promise.
Sadly, the Apple Watch SE features a show that turns off when idle and lights up if you raise your wrist, identical to the Sequence Three and Sequence 4. It additionally doesn’t characteristic different, newer well being additions just like the Sequence Four and 5’s ECG and the Sequence 6’s new blood oxygen degree detection.
The latter two options I don’t miss in any respect, particularly given the SE’s lower cost tag, however the always-on show might find yourself being a deal-breaker for me. My different problem with the Apple Watch SE is its price ticket feels slightly steep in Canada. Whereas the $279 U.S. value is ideal, $329 for the SE in Canada is slightly steep for it to actually really feel entry-level, particularly when in comparison with $179 Fitbit Versa 2 and the not too long ago revealed $229 Versa 3.
That being mentioned, the SE’s raise-to-wake characteristic is responsive and works rapidly. The smartwatch might doubtlessly discover an viewers of youngsters and older those that aren’t within the always-on show featured in Apple’s higher-end smartwatches, however that continues to be to be seen.
MobileSyrup can have extra on the Apple Watch SE within the coming weeks.
The Apple Watch SE is offered in ‘Gold,’ ‘Silver,’ and ‘Area Gray’ starting at $369.
