Apple Watch · SE
2022
Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
Upgrades the entry-tier Apple Watch with the S8 SiP and Crash Detection while introducing a redesigned, color-matched nylon composite back case.
- Announced
- 2022-09-07
- Family
- Apple Watch
- Branch
- SE
- Historical weight
- Refinement
Key specifications
Apple verification ↗- Display
- 1.78" LTPO OLED, 448×368
- Chip / CPU
- Apple S8 (64-bit dual-core) · 1.80 GHz
- Memory
- 1 GB
- Base storage
- 32 GB
- Ports & charging
- Magnetic charging
- Weight
- ~33 g
- Dimensions
- 40 mm or 44 mm case
- Original OS
- watchOS 9
- Launch price
- $249
- Released
- September 16, 2022
- Graphics
- Integrated
- CPU cores
- 2
Generation delta
What changed?
Introduced
6- Silicon
S8 SiP processor
Replaces the S5 processor used in the original SE with the modern 64-bit dual-core S8 SiP, delivering up to 20% faster processing and processor parity with Series 8 and Ultra.
- Design
Color-matched nylon composite back case
Re-engineered back case made of a lightweight nylon composite material dyed to match the aluminum casing (Midnight, Starlight, Silver), reducing manufacturing carbon emissions by over 80%.
- Sensors
High-g accelerometer hardware (up to 256 g's)
Same 256g sensor hardware as Series 8 and Ultra, capable of sampling motion up to 3,000 times per second.
- Sensors
High dynamic range gyroscope hardware
Upgraded gyroscope sensor matching Series 8 specifications.
- Sensors
Crash Detection safety system
Fuses high-g accelerometer, HDR gyroscope, barometer, microphone, and GPS data via machine learning sensor algorithms to detect severe vehicular collisions and trigger emergency assistance.
- Connectivity
International roaming
(minor): Cellular models gain international data roaming support via watchOS 9.
Changed
3- Silicon
Processing silicon upgrade
Transitioned from S5 (2019 architecture) directly to S8 SiP.
- Design
Back crystal materials
Replaced ceramic and sapphire crystal backing with color-matched nylon composite.
- Product
Entry pricing structure
(minor): Starting price lowered by $30, from $279 (1st gen) to $249 for the 40mm GPS model.
Retired
1- Design
Space Gray aluminum finish
(minor): Discontinued in favor of Midnight and Starlight colorways.
Retained
6- Product
40mm and 44mm case dimensions
Retained the Series 4–6 physical geometry and thicker bezel border profile.
- Display
Retina LTPO OLED display (non-Always-On)
Peak brightness of 1,000 nits, requiring wrist raise to wake; lacks Always-On display capability.
- Sensors
Second-generation optical heart sensor
Retained core heart rate tracking, high/low notifications, and irregular rhythm detection.
- Sensors
Hardware exclusion continuity
Continues omission of electrical heart sensor (ECG app), Blood Oxygen (SpO2) sensor, and wrist temperature sensing.
- Ports
Standard magnetic charging
Retains standard charging speeds; does not support USB-C fast charging.
- Power
18-hour all-day battery life and WR50 water resistance
Maintained baseline 18-hour battery longevity and 50-meter water resistance.
Canonical predecessor
Apple Watch SE (1st generation) Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)