My Honest Take on the Apple Watch SE 2: The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict

Hello everyone!

I'm excited to share my thoughts on the Apple Watch SE 2, which I've been using for a while now. I was on the fence about whether I needed a smartwatch, but I'm glad I took the plunge. In this review, I'll walk you through the features I use most and help you decide if these smartwatches are worth the investment.

I paired my Apple Watch SE 2 with my iPhone 13 Pro Max. Apple Watch

The Apple Watch SE 2 was released in 2022, replacing the SE 2020 model. They're almost identical, except for the price. By the time summer 2023 rolled around, the SE model was no longer available for purchase.

From a design standpoint, there's very little difference between the two models. Even the size and weight of the casing are the same. However, the screen feels slightly larger, thanks to the reduced bezels around the display. The Apple Watch SE 2 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes, just like the previous generation. Apple didn't change the design of these smartwatches (not even a little bit).

I've noticed that the 2020 model uses an older chip, the Apple S5, which was first introduced in the fifth generation Apple Watch. In contrast, the SE 2 comes with the S8 chip, the same one used in the Series 8 watches. This makes the new device 40% more powerful than the old one, according to Apple's claims. Additionally, the new chip supports a much wider range of features, even though the SE 2 doesn't utilize most of them.

Price. I bought the 44mm watch in the summer of 2023 for 27,999 rubles. As of now, prices vary between 27 and 35 thousand rubles, with the smaller-sized model being cheaper.

Packaging. The watch comes in a sturdy, thick cardboard box with each component in its own separate box, all wrapped up in a minimalist and sleek design, classic Apple style.

What's included:ChargerWatchStrap

Charging dock is wireless, and the watch sticks to it like a magnet. It comes with a Type-C port, so if you don't have a power adapter to charge it, you'll need to get one. I recently bought a dual-port adapter, which is super convenient - I can charge my watch and phone at the same time.

It takes around 2.5 hours to go from 0 to 100% using the standard cable and charger.

The claimed battery life is 18 hours.

I'd say this is one of the most obvious downsides - the lack of battery life. I charge my watch daily, along with my phone. For example, my aunt only charges her Xiaomi every 10 days to two weeks.

By the evening, my watch's battery is usually around 60-40%. I've never seen it go below 39%.

To give you an idea, at the end of the day, my watch's charge was at 56%. This was a day with no workouts, and I wore the watch for 16 hours, with around 10,000 steps, according to the 'workout with relaxation' feature.

Design. The Apple Watch SE2 comes in two display size options - 40mm and 44mm. I opted for the larger version, and I'm glad I did. I spent a while deciding between the two sizes, reading reviews, and finally settled on the 44mm. They don't look too bulky, but of course, it's all down to personal taste.

Apple Watch SE 44mm They're surprisingly lightweight and slim, with a plastic back and an aluminum main body. I've got no complaints about the build quality - everything feels solid and the plastic is smooth to the touch.

The Apple Watch SE is available in three colors: Midnight, Starlight, and Silver. I've got the Silver model, which looks great.

The included nylon strap is a nice touch, and it's available in two sizes: S/M and M/L. I opted for the smaller size, which fits my wrist perfectly.

The strap has held up well over the past six months - it still looks brand new, with no signs of wear or discoloration.

Apple Watch SE I've found that the Apple Watch SE sits comfortably on my wrist, and the strap doesn't slip off. The sensor fits snugly, but it doesn't cause any discomfort. After a few days of wearing them, I barely even notice they're there (it took me about 3 days to get used to them). However, in the summer, my hand can get a bit sweaty under the neoprene strap.

The Apple Watch SE weighs just 27.8g and 33g (depending on the size) without the strap.

Apple Watch SE 44mm Screen is slightly protruding from the case. The picture on it is clear and bright, and the brightness adjusts to the lighting conditions, so the watch doesn't blind me in the dark. The text of messages and notifications is readable, and the font isn't too small. The sensor has good sensitivity and response, and the watch never froze on me, even during winter walks.The screen is protected by a strong glass, which is one of the main differences between the budget-friendly SE and the 8 series. The more expensive version comes with sapphire glass, which is more resistant to damage. I've put a screen protector on mine, so I don't worry about scratches.

On the back, you'll find a heart rate monitor and a button to release the strap. It's a thoughtful touch that adds to the overall experience.

The sides feature a speaker and microphone, a scroll wheel that lets you navigate the menu or unlock the watch, and a button that activates Siri.

The menu interface is incredibly intuitive – I picked it up in no time. The app menu is accessed by scrolling, and holding the button down activates Siri.

I was in the middle of writing this review when the watch updated, and I noticed the panel now opens with a side button instead of swiping up from the bottom. To unlock the watch, you can either raise your wrist, tap it, or use the crown. To lock it, just cover the display with your palm. xa0

I've got a ton of watch faces to choose from, and I love that I can customize the background, numbers, and complications to fit my style. I even set up a personal photo or album, which cycles through different images - you can even find one on Pinterest!

The best part is that the custom watch faces are saved, so you can easily switch them up right from the watch by holding down on the screen.

I've moved some of my most-used features to the main screen, like my activity rings, weather, camera, timer, and workout mode - you can choose the ones you use most often. Before, I had my husband's call and alarm on there, but I hardly ever used them.

Right now, my setup looks like this, and I sometimes change the background color to match my mood:

Apple Watch SE

One thing I wasn't too fond of was the limited number of watch face customization options. You can only add a few extensions to the default face, which is basically just for show.

Apple Watch SE Watch Series SE Apple Features

Tracking my activity, counting steps, distance, and caloriesI love how the activity rings get filled in based on my daily goals - I can set those myself, by the way. There are three parameters: daily calories, exercise minutes, and relaxation hours. If you're a competitive person, you'll probably enjoy filling in those activity rings every day and find it's a great motivator

As for my current daily settings:

daily calories - 530;

exercise - 45 minutes;

relaxation hours - 12 hours

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The hours regularly praise me for my activity or remind me to take a break.

The data from the hours syncs to my iPhone, and in the app, I can check out all my activity or workout parameters.

For example, here's a daily summary:

The latest update changed the way the activity rings look - they used to be like the ones in the first photo, but now each parameter is displayed separately with a breakdown by hours. To be honest, I liked it better before, when I could just scroll through and see everything at a glance. Now I have to scroll or turn the dial to check each parameter individually.

WorkoutsI've been using this feature to log my workouts, and it's super convenient. You can either manually start a workout or let the watch detect it when your heart rate goes up, and it'll prompt you to log the session.

You can record a ton of different workouts, from classic ones like running to more niche activities like surfing, golf, curling, or horseback riding.In the app, you can dive into the workout details and get a closer look at what's going on.

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Phone calls and messages, notification viewI've got the watch set to vibrate only, and it's nice and subtle – not too jarring. You can also customize the notification settings to your liking.

Hands-free calls are super convenient – I can answer them while driving, in another room, or even when I'm out with the kids and my phone is stashed away in my bag. I actually use this feature a lot, even when I'm at home, and it's great for quick conversations.

For messages, I usually only respond within an hour if it's absolutely necessary. I can either choose from pre-set one-word answers or dictate a message using my voice.

In the settings, you can allow or block notifications from specific apps.

Remote cameraOpening the camera on the watch, setting the phone at the right distance, and pressing the shutter button on the watch lets me take photos or record video – I can even adjust the zoom using the watch's dial. I've seen some reviews where people mention being able to lock the watch to the phone's camera, so you can see the preview on the watch. For me, it's easier to take photos through the mirror, but it might be useful for someone else)

Here's an example photo from my recent review of a hair mask – I took a series of shots in motion:

I've found myself using the stopwatch and timer a lot, especially when cooking or trying to stay motivated for mundane tasks. I'll set the timer for 20 minutes and get to work – it's my own little time management hack!Finding my phone is a constant struggle, so I use this feature all the time.Switching music on my phone and adding it to my favorites has been a game-changer for me, especially with Yandex Music. I can give a thumbs up to tracks I love and add them to my playlist in no time.The flashlight isn't super bright, but it's come in handy a few times when I'm out walking my dog in the evening.The weather feature is really accurate and shows me the hourly forecast, which helps me plan my walks. I can also check the UV index and weather for the next 10 days.

I also use the dictaphone and calculator, but not as often.I don't use the cycle tracking, sleep phase tracking, or alarm features, as I'm not a sleeper and don't need them. The mindfulness feature is interesting, though – I love how the breathing exercise starts with a gentle increase in inhale, and it even tracks my pulse. It's a great idea for when I'm feeling stressed!

~Drawing some conclusions~

✅The screen is super bright and the colors are rich and vibrant.

✅I love that I can answer calls or make calls myself - it's got a built-in speaker and mic.

✅I can respond to messages and check notifications, and even limit access to specific apps.

✅The watch face customization options are insane - I can pick from a ton of different styles and even add my most-used features to the screen.

✅I can track my activity, set my own goals, and even record workouts from simple to super intense.

✅It's also waterproof up to 50 meters, which is a huge plus.

✅The included strap is solid, and I love that I can swap it out for a different style or color.

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❗️One thing I've noticed is that the battery life isn't super long - I need to charge it every day, and it lasts about a day and a half.

I'm so glad I bought the Apple Watch SE 2, but ultimately it's up to each person to decide if they really need a smartwatch.One thing that's been bugging me is the price - it's definitely on the higher side. And the battery life could be better, but I guess that's just the price you pay for a high-end smartwatch like this.

I've found these accessories to be a total game-changer for anyone with an active lifestyle or those who want to stay on top of their daily activity. Whether I'm busy, driving, or playing with my kid, it's super convenient to quickly glance at notifications or respond to calls – you won't miss any important info. I also love tracking my workouts and getting an estimate of my calorie burn. And, let's be real, the remote for my iPhone camera comes in handy way more often than I thought it would)

I have to admit, I could've gotten by without them, but now I'm not even sure I want to!)

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Thanks for reading! ❤️I hope it was helpful!❤️