Apple Watch breakdown - 8 vs SE vs old SE

[gabester]

Can someone give a breakdown of the main deltas between the current 8 and SE and the old SE? Are there any differences on the cellular side of things (like the old SE is oftentimes required to link with an iPhone on the same carrier; are the more modern 2022 models able to be completely independent cellular devices?)

Thanks. I've been seeing deals on the old SE for $200 vs $300 for the new SE vs $450 for the 8... trying to justify the cost increases when I'm not sure even the base model old SE will be appreciated by a potential gift recipient.

[graylocks]

Deal breakers for me are the safety features. I had an AW 4 since 2019 because of Fall Detection. I do not know if the old or new SE has that. Apple gave me no reason to upgrade until this year with AW8. The pull-the-trigger new feature was Crash detection. I drive alone a lot.

I have cellular versions for both though I turned it off within a few months of having the AW 4. It drained the battery more quickly when the watch was not near the phone and since I always have my phone with me any it didn't make sense to pay $17 a month for cellular service to the watch. i was with ATT at the time but now that I'm with visible i am considering turning it on for $5. Battery life on the AW 8 is stronger.

[rgG]

My regular SE has fall detection.
It asked me just the other day if I fell, even though I just moved my arm quickly. Lol

[graylocks]

You might find the first part of this helpful in weighing the new SE vs 8. rgG says her SE has Fall Detection and this guy says the new one does have Crash Protection.

Apple Watch Comparisons

[Michael]

Apple provides a comparison: https://www.apple.com/watch/compare/?afi...n__pexid__&cid=aos-us-kwgo-watch--slid---product-

It shows that the original SE and the new SE both have fall protection. The new SE has crash protection that the original does not.

[RAMd®d]

All Apple Watches watches need to be paired to a 'Phone.

All Apple Watches without LTE need to be linked to a 'Phone to make and receive calls and texts, etc.

All Apple Watches with LTE do not need to be linked to a 'Phone to make and receive calls and texts, etc.

All Apple Watches with LTE need to be on the same carrier as the 'Phone they're paired to.


If money is a consideration, think about who is going to get the Watch.

If it's someone who appreciates tech and is likely to explore all features of a Watch, then the Series 8 is the most capable, and as gl says, has the biggest battery short of the Ultra.

But if it's their first Watch, and maybe they are less nerdy, geeky, willing to explore every option, I'd go for the SE Watch (2022).

As mentioned, it has Crash Detection, and it's battery will be fresher, as well as the upgrade path being longer.

If they really like the Watch garden, they can upgrade later, and if not, you haven't spent money on tech they wouldn't have used.

The OG SE Watch (2020) can use the current watchOS, but I don't know how many later OSs will support it.

[gabester]

Thanks all - I decided to pick up the OG SE 2020 from Walmart for $200. Strangely they had both cellular and non-cellular versions at that price? We will see how it works out.

Edit: the cellular price at Walmart has gone up to $250. I think I scored a deal. If it's used enough then this could be the gift that keeps on giving with upgrades every year until the whole family is covered.