these are the biggest differences

It is quite difficult to choose between the Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch SE. Apple’s latest smartwatches look similar, but differ considerably in price. That is why we list the biggest differences in this article to help you make the right choice.

Comparison: Apple Watch Series 7 vs Apple Watch SE

Apple currently sells three watches: the Series 7, Series 3, and SE. Those outer two in particular are interesting, because these are the latest Apple smartwatches. Plus, they look pretty much the same and have a lot of similarities.

In this article we therefore focus on the biggest differences, because the watches are certainly not identical. This is the great Apple Watch Series 7 vs Apple Watch SE comparison.

Feature	Apple Watch Series 7	Apple Watch SE
From price	429 euros	299 euros
Formats	41 and 45 mm	40 and 44 mm
Screen	Always-on Retina Display	‘Ordinary’ Retina screen
Housing	Aluminum Stainless Steel	Aluminium
Hardware	S7 chip	S5 chip
Battery life	18 hours	18 hours
Health features	Oxygenometer, ECG sensor (for heart movies)	Heart rate monitor, no oximeter and EKG
Colors	Dark Grey, Starlight (Silver), Green, Blue and Red	Grey, silver and gold

1. Design: round or angular?

The Apple Watch Series 7 and SE look similar. The newer version does have a slightly sleeker design. This is mainly due to the (slightly) rounder housing. Thanks to this curvature, the screen of the Series 7 continues in a smooth movement into the back. All in all, the design is slightly less angular than with the Apple Watch SE.

Furthermore, the Series 7 is larger. You can take the watch in two sizes: 41 and 45 millimeters. That is slightly larger than the Apple Watch SE, which is available in 40 and 44 millimeters case sizes. As a result, this watch is also slightly lighter than the Series 7. Good to know: the wristbands of previous, smaller Apple Watches simply fit on the larger case of the Series 7.

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By the way, don’t be too confused by the difference in screen size. In reality, the watches are not very different from each other. That’s because the Series 7 has much narrower screen edges. As a result, almost the entire front consists of actively used display, while the Apple Watch SE has fairly thick screen edges.

Another design difference is in the colours. The Apple Watch SE comes in gold, gray (space gray) and silver. In comparison, the Apple Watch Series 7 is a lot more colorful. With this watch you can choose the colors dark gray, starlight (a kind of silver), green, blue and red.

Also interesting: Apple Watch Series 7 vs Series 6: what are the differences?

2. Screen goes to sleep (never)

In addition, it is important to know that the latest Apple Watch has an always-on screen. As you would expect based on this name, such a display is always on. So you don’t have to tap the screen (or turn your wrist) to check the time, for example. The Apple Watch SE screen is not always on.

The Apple Watch Series 7 is also slightly more durable than the Apple Watch SE. The former has a considerably thicker screen, so that you have less risk of cracks. According to Apple, the display is no less than 50 percent thicker than that of the SE.

Also handy: thanks to the IP6X label, the Series 7 is officially dust resistant. In theory, you could wear the watch during a sandstorm, for example. The Apple Watch SE does not have this certificate. Fortunately, this watch is, like the Series 7, water resistant (to a depth of 50 meters).

3. Features: A Clear Winner

Chances are you use your Apple Watch as a health accessory. In this respect, the Series 7 clearly comes out on top. This smartwatch has two functions that you will not encounter on the Watch SE: an ECG sensor and saturation meter.

EKG is the abbreviation of electrocardiogram, which is a way of making heart films. This allows you to check how your heart is doing and possibly check for abnormalities at an early stage.

The saturation meter is able to measure the oxygen level in your blood. This measures exactly what percentage of oxygen your red blood cells transport to the rest of your body. This makes the oximeter a good measure of your overall health.

Although these two functions pass by the nose of the Apple Watch SE, the watch does have a lot of other health functions. For example, the smartwatch can register your heart rate. You can also wear the watch during sports, because it has a built-in pedometer and accelerometer. Of course you can also keep track of many different workouts.

4. Battery Life and Hardware

In terms of battery life, the watches are very evenly matched. According to Apple, they both last 18 hours on a single charge. Still, the Series 7 has an advantage, because the battery of this watch is full faster. The battery charges about 33 percent faster. In practice, your watch will therefore reach the 80 percent battery capacity within 45 minutes of charging.

The Apple Watch Series 7 is powered by the S7 chip, which is about 20 percent more powerful than the S5 chip, which is in the Apple Watch SE. This makes apps start up faster, for example.

Although the Series 7 is more powerful than the Apple Watch SE, we would not focus too much on this. The S5 chip of the SE watch is already very fast and pleasant to use. So most people will be satisfied with this.

5. Software doesn’t matter

Both the Apple Watch 7 and the Apple Watch SE can handle watchOS 8, the software update for Apple’s Watches from 2021. So there is no difference between the two in terms of software.

The only thing you should therefore pay attention to is the support term. The Apple Watch SE is a year older than the Series 7, so (probably) the watch will also get one software update less.

6. Price varies a lot

An important difference between the two Apple smartwatches is the price. Do you want to buy an Apple Watch Series 7? The watch starts at 429 euros (for the small model with 41 millimeter case size). You can buy the Apple Watch SE from 299 euros. You will then receive the model with a 40 millimeter case size.

Also not unimportant: since 2021 you can buy Apple Watches with 4G in the Netherlands. As a result, your Apple watch has an independent mobile internet connection, so you no longer have to carry your iPhone with you all the time. An Apple Watch with 4G, for example, is ideal for when you go for a run and want to stream music via Apple Music or Spotify on the go.

Also read: Official: T-Mobile brings Apple Watch with 4G to the Netherlands

Conclusion: Apple Watch Series 7 vs Apple Watch SE

The Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch SE are not far apart. The newer model has a better and larger screen, can withstand some scratches and the battery charges quickly. The new color combinations and the always-on screen are also great.

The Apple Watch SE doesn’t have an always-on screen, but it shows a lot of similarities with its more expensive brother. If you are looking for a relatively affordable smartwatch for exercising, some apps and measuring your heart rate, you should go for this model.

As far as we are concerned, the Apple Watch Series 7 is especially recommended if you want a colorful smartwatch, or if you want to get started with the exclusive health functions. After all, the latest Apple Watch has a Saturation and EKG app to keep an eye on your heart health.