Skip to main content

The Apple Watch SE 2 makes Apple’s cheap smartwatch better than ever

Apple has unveiled the Apple Watch SE 2 at its “Far Out” event in Cupertino, California. The company revealed the new watch alongside the Apple Watch Series 8.

The Apple Watch SE 2 is packed with the same features as the Series 8 that make it the perfect first Apple Watch for more than 80% of users on a budget. It comes with the latest WatchOS 9 and a new S8 processor, which works 20% faster than the previous SE.

Apple Watch SE 2.
Apple

It tracks your workouts and activity, and it’s waterproof for up to 50 meters in depth when swimming. It also has the ability to detect falls, notify you of high and low heart rates, and it lets you call 911 with emergency SOS. To keep users even safer, the Apple Watch SE 2 is programmed with the same motion sensors for crash detection as the Series 8, regardless of the severity of the crash — all shown on a display that is 30% larger than that of the Series 3.

 

For families, the Apple Watch SE 2 comes with Family Setup, which allows people to set up and manage the Apple Watch for kids who don’t have their own iPhones yet, such as tracking their location and allowing them to contact people they prefer through call or text messaging. It will have more features coming soon that will give kids more independence and their parents some peace of mind.

Recommended Videos

The Apple Watch SE 2 costs $249 for GPS and $299 for both GPS and cellular versions. You can pre-order it now, and it will be available on September 16.

Cristina Alexander
Gaming/Mobile Writer
Cristina Alexander is a gaming and mobile writer at Digital Trends. She blends fair coverage of games industry topics that…
Is your Apple Watch 10 quieter than it used to be? You aren’t alone
The speaker grille on the Apple Watch Series 10.

The Apple Watch Series 10 has a bit of a speaker problem. A quick look at the Apple Support Community or the Apple Watch subreddit will show a lot of posts from users, some as far back as four months ago, stating that the speaker is too quiet. Affected users can hear neither phone calls nor music from the speaker after repeated use.

Apple hasn't given an official statement regarding the problem, and it's not clear how many people are affected. There are dozens of posts on forums about the problem, however, so it clearly isn't limited to just a handful of people. Several posters reported buying a new Apple Watch 10, only for the same staticky, muffled sound to return within a week.

Read more
Nomad’s glowing Apple Watch band looks outrageous, but that’s not why I love it
A person wearing the Nomad Sport Band in the Icy Blue glow-in-the-dark finish.

Since my Apple Watch Series 10 arrived I’ve worn it with Apple’s Milanese Loop band, which is easily one of the best you can buy, but when Nomad announced a new glow-in-the-dark Sport Band, I thought it was time for a change. Turns out, getting it to glow was a bit of a challenge, and while it looks as outrageous as you'd expect, I found I like it for a different reason.
Wearing the band

I’ll come to the glow in the dark bit next, but for me to even think about wearing Nomad’s Sport Band it had to come at least close to the Milanese Loop’s comfort. I’m very pleased to say it does, and it’s an interesting alternative to Apple’s own Sport Band. The fluoroelastemer rubber material is surprisingly thick and therefore feels very durable. I could wear it for any sport or activity and not worry about it.

Read more
Apple Watch SE might embrace a new look this year
Apple Watch SE with Nomad Aluminum Band

Apple embarked on a design refresh trajectory for its smartwatch line last year, starting with the Apple Watch Series 10. Now, the company is reportedly eyeing a similar treatment for the Apple Watch SE refresh that arrives later this year.

In the latest edition of his PowerOn newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman mentions a design makeover for the entry-level smartwatch. “A fresh version of the lower-end SE model will sport a new look,” says the report.

Read more