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Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 44mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band M/L. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Crash Detection, Heart Rate Monitor, Retina Display Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band 44mm Case + Medium/Large band GPS Without AppleCare+

TLDR Review: Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) 44mm

By ShopSavvy Team

Published: September 18th, 2025

Pros

•Excellent introduction to the Apple Watch ecosystem with essential features like heart rate monitoring and texo-speech.
•Offers comprehensive fitness tracking with Apple Fitness and GymKit integration.
•Stylish design with a vibrant Retina display and lightweight aluminum case, providing comfort for daily wear.
•Upgraded S8 processor offers snappy performance and improved app handling.
•Offers solid fitness and health tracking with accurate heart rate and step monitoring.
•Great price point for the features provided, making it accessible to budgeonscious consumers.
•Seamless integration with Apple devices, enabling easy reading and responding to messages.
•Supports Apple Pay and includes convenient features like crash detection and 'find item' for locating lost Apple devices.
•Customizable with various watch faces and aluminum color options.
•Good call quality and robust app ecosystem with access to the iOS App Store.

Cons

•Lacks an alwayn display, which can be inconvenient particularly during workouts.
•Battery life may diminish over time, requiring more frequent charging.
•Slower charging compared to premium models, with an overall limited battery life of about 18 hours.
•Screen brightness is the dimmest among Apple Watches, although still sufficient in sunlight.
•Lacks some advanced health features and double tap gesture present in more premium models.
•May be more suitable for new users to wearables rather than serious fitness enthusiasts.
•Slow to detect the start of walks/runs, potentially affecting exercise tracking accuracy.

Bottom Line

If you're new to smartwatches or looking for a budget-friendly entry into the Apple Watch world, the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) offers a compelling blend of essential features and performance at an accessible price. While it lacks certain premium features like an always-on display and boasts a somewhat limited battery life, it remains a strong choice for those looking for seamless integration with Apple devices and solid fitness tracking capabilities. For those seeking more advanced features and better battery life, higher-end models like the Apple Watch Series 8 or Ultra might be worth considering.

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$219.00 at Amazon

How we researched this

About this review: We pulled together findings from professional reviews and hundreds of user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from 6 retailers to give you the short version.