Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. SE: I examined each for 13 days

This Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. SE face-off will obliterate all of the questions you’ve got concerning the standard smartwatches — effectively, that is the plan at the least.

I’ve all the time been a smartwatch skeptic. Whether or not it is the Google Pixel Watch, the Samsung Galaxy Watch, or the Apple Watch, all appeared superfluous for anybody who has a telephone. When folks tried to steer me to affix the smartwatch squad, they all the time introduced up health as a use case, which has by no means been a precedence for me — till now.

After listening to my physician inform me that my blood stress is just too excessive, I made a decision to take train extra significantly. What actually drew me to think about an Apple Watch, nevertheless, is that I wish to be sure that I am hitting — and sustaining — a goal coronary heart fee whereas operating on the treadmill, guaranteeing efficient calorie burning.

Top-of-the-line methods to trace coronary heart fee is to make use of an Apple Watch. However I have been confronted with a dilemma. Ought to I get the SE (second technology) or spend a little bit extra for the Watch Sequence 9? I made a decision to get each to find out their variations.

Word: Understand that Apple is reportedly engaged on the next-generation smartwatch generally known as the Apple Watch Sequence 10.

Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. SE: value and specs

I acquired the most affordable mannequin for each variants. This implies I spent $249 for the Apple Watch SE (second technology), which I bought from Apple’s official web site.

The mannequin I’ve comes with the next specs:

• 40mm case measurement

• Silver end

• Aluminum chassis

• GPS (no mobile)

• Ocean Blue solo loop

Some options require you to shell out a little bit extra. For instance, a stainless-steel chassis is an additional $50. A bigger case measurement (i.e., 44mm) is an additional $30. If you’d like GPS and mobile help, that may set you again $50.

The Apple Watch Sequence 9 prices $399 on Apple’s official web site (once more, that is the most affordable you will get on this mannequin).

Here is my configuration:

• 41mm case measurement

• (Product) Pink end

• Aluminum chassis

• GPS (no mobile)

• Product (Pink) sport band

As with the Watch Sequence 9, you may spend an additional $50 to get a stainless-steel chassis. If you’d like mobile help, that may set you again one other $100.

With the Watch SE being the cheaper of the 2, it is the apparent winner on this spherical.

Winner: Apple Watch SE

Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. SE: Show

The very first thing I observed concerning the Watch SE is that it has thicker bezels, which reduces its display actual property — and the show is minimal to start with.

The Watch Sequence 9’s bezels are quite a bit much less obstructive, however both means, I nonetheless discovered show navigation to be nice on each screens. Thicker bezels, for my part, aren’t a giant deal.

It is also price nothing that the decision is totally different for the watches:

Watch Sequence 9 (41mm) – 430 x 352 pixels

Watch SE (40mm) – 394 x 324 pixels

them aspect by aspect, the Watch Sequence 9 positively delivers a sharper, clearer visuals. But when I had been wanting on the Watch SE independently, I’d assume that the show high quality is ample sufficient.

Now, let’s discuss brightness:

Watch Sequence 9 (41mm) – as much as 2,000 nits

Watch SE (40mm) – as much as 1,000 nits

The Watch Sequence 9 is supposedly brighter than Sequence 9, delivering a max of two,000 nits over the SE’s 1,000-nit display. Nonetheless, whereas evaluating each watches within the solar, I may see each of them simply nice, even with the rays shining vibrant on them like a highlight.

You possibly can inform the Watch SE is barely dimmer, however the distinction is negligible to the bare eye.

The principle distinction between the 2 screens, nevertheless, is the always-on show. I assumed I would not care concerning the Watch SE not having an always-on show (AOD). (For the uninitiated, AOD signifies that the display is all the time feeding you visible info.)

Nonetheless, I discovered myself getting pissed off that I needed to preserve both touching the Watch SE’s display or flick my wrist towards myself to test the time. In the meantime, the Watch Sequence 9, effectively, stays on. As you may see within the picture beneath, the Watch SE’s display is totally darkish, however the Sequence 9’s show continues to be “active” (although it’s dimmed).

Additionally, from a style standpoint, an always-on show appears extra enticing.

Winner: Apple Watch Sequence 9

Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. SE: Design

I made a decision to go together with two shade decisions to find out whether or not I might desire the extra refined, refined design of the Watch SE — or the conspicuous, placing presence of the Watch Sequence 9.

To my shock, I desire the Watch Sequence 9’s attractive (Product)Pink look. I feared that it could be too pink — just like the eyesore of a hue that drapes the blindingly orange Rabbit R1. Nonetheless, the Product (Pink) has the proper stability of vividness and elegeance. It is such an attention-grabbing ruby pink.

I went with the Silver end for the Watch SE together with the Ocean Blue solo loop — and I remorse it. Oddly, the solo loop collects grime simply. And in contrast to the sports activities band that is featured on the Watch Sequence 9, the solo loop requires customized sizing. Mine is a measurement 3, which inserts OK, nevertheless it may stand to be a smidge tighter.

The sports activities band has an adjustable strap, permitting me to make it as tight or unfastened as I want it to be. The solo loop, however, is only a stretchy bracelet band. I additionally do not count on it to have good sturdiness. As you’re taking it on and off over time, I foresee it getting too stretched out.

Apart from that, the Watch Sequence 9 and SE have the identical squircle design, with a digital crown and aspect button on the correct.

Mashable Gentle Velocity

Merely due to its bigger watch face, Sequence 9 is the winner right here.

Winner: Apple Watch Sequence 9

Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. SE: Texting and calling

I examined texting and calling with each the Apple Watch Sequence 9 and the Watch SE.

In terms of texting, the Apple Watch Sequence 9 includes a QWERTY keyboard. I assumed it would be an ungainly mess making an attempt to textual content on the Apple Watch Sequence 9 with one finger, nevertheless it wasn’t half dangerous you probably have a little bit little bit of persistence in you.

The Watch SE has one thing totally different. You possibly can nonetheless textual content, however there is no such thing as a keyboard obtainable. As a substitute, you will get a discipline that permits you to scribble the letter or phrase you wish to write — and it’ll rework it into digital textual content.

To be truthful, neither the Watch Sequence 9 nor the Watch SE are perfect for texting, however probably the most helpful characteristic for messaging — a perk that each gadgets have — is Dictation. I discovered that Dictation, a utility that transforms your speech into textual content, is the most effective for texting on the Sequence 9 and SE.

There are ready replies available, too, like “Thanks” and “OK.”

After calling a buddy with the Watch Sequence 9 and Watch SE, I blind-tested him and requested him to select which smartwatch sounded higher. Surprisingly, he stated I sounded higher on the Watch SE. I could not inform a marked distinction between the 2 by way of sound high quality.

As a result of its superior texting options, the Watch Sequence 9 wins this spherical.

Winner: Apple Watch Sequence 9

Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. SE 2: Double Faucet

Do not buy the Apple Watch Sequence 9 due to its Double Faucet characteristic. The Watch SE helps the Double Faucet, too.

With the Apple Watch Sequence 9, you merely want to verify it is turned on in Settings — and you should utilize Double Faucet to just accept and finish calls, flip off alarms, play and pause songs, and extra. Nonetheless, with the Watch SE, you may solely use Double Faucet when prompted. For instance, a blue-outlined immediate that claims “End call” will seem on the Watch SE, permitting you to hold up.

It is price noting, although, that the Watch Sequence 9’s Double Faucet characteristic permits you to do extra with it. For instance, you should utilize Double Faucet to set off the shutter button on the Digital camera app or scroll via your Widget stacks (issues you may’t do with the Watch SE’s Double Faucet).

Winner: Apple Watch Sequence 9

Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. SE: Siri

Apple boasted that the Watch Sequence 9 permits you to faucet into Siri to your well being information. One time, I requested, “Siri, how many hours did I sleep last night?” In response, it stated, “5 hours and 51 minutes.”

In response to “How many calories did I burn today?”, it stated, “You burned 285 calories today.”

If I had been to ask Siri the identical questions on the Watch SE, Siri would not reply with a direct reply. It could, as a substitute, present me the app that would supply me the correct reply.

Apple claims that the Watch Sequence 9’s S9 chip yields a quicker on-device Siri, permitting you to have zippier entry to your well being information.

The one disappointment I might add for each gadgets is that Siri directed me to the iPhone app once I requested for ovulation estimates.

Winner: Apple Watch Sequence 9

Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. SE: Well being monitoring

If you’d like a watch with the most effective health-tracking options, get the Watch Sequence 9. Listed below are the sensors and trackers you will get with it:

• Temperature sensing (not on Watch SE)

• Cycle monitoring (obtainable on Watch SE, however does not present ovulation estimates)

• Irregular rhythm notifications (obtainable on Watch SE)

• Excessive or low coronary heart fee notifications (obtainable on Watch SE)

• ECG testing (not on Watch SE)

On the Watch SE, you’ll not discover the ECG app, a tracker that analyzes your coronary heart’s electrical pulses. Nonetheless, you will discover it on the Apple Watch Sequence 9. It prompts you to carry your finger on the digital crown for 30 seconds. You may then get a studying that tells you your beats per minute (bpm) — and whether or not your heartbeat is “sinus,” “AFib,” “low heart rate,” “high heart rate,” or “inconclusive.”

Its price noting that its AFib detection is the primary digital-health tech to qualify for the FDA’s MDDT program. In different phrases, an official authority within the medical gadget house has green-lighted the Apple Look ahead to testing atrial fibrillation. Candy!

As for ovulation monitoring, once more, you would be higher off with the Watch Sequence 9. Ovulation monitoring depends on taking temperature readings when you sleep each 5 seconds in a single day. And, effectively, the Watch SE does not have a temperature sensor.

Nonetheless, whether or not I used to be on the SE or Sequence 9, I may nonetheless log my menstrual cycle, permitting me to test when my subsequent estimated cycle will arrive.

Talking of the temperature sensor, on the Watch Sequence 9, you will get temperature readings of your pores and skin by going to Settings > Well being > Well being Knowledge > Physique Measurements > Wrist Temperature. Unsure why I must know that my proper wrist is 96 levels Fahrenheit, however er, it is there in case anybody asks, I suppose.

Curiously, I additionally observed that each watches check for environmental noise utilizing the mics. Earlier than turning off a whistling teapot, I acquired an alert from the Apple Watch Sequence 9 that the decibels in my environment are too excessive.

Oddly, I did not get that alert on my Watch SE, although it has a noise detector characteristic, too.

Word: The Apple Watch Sequence 9 not helps the blood-oxygen monitor for U.S. customers.

Winner: Apple Watch Sequence 9

Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. SE: Health monitoring

I have not noticed a lot of a distinction between the Watch Sequence 9 and SE in relation to health monitoring.

If you’d like one thing that tracks your steps and allows you to shut your rings on the finish of the day, the Watch SE will do exactly nice.

Whereas sporting the watches to run on the treadmill on a regular basis, I set each gadgets to inform me once I’ve hit my goal beats per minute (i.e., 146 to 156 bpm) whereas operating. (I did this by fidgeting with the “Indoor Run” preferences below the “Workout” app.) My expertise with each have been seamless.

Should you’re a swimmer or a diver, nevertheless, it’s possible you’ll wish to think about the Apple Watch Extremely 2 as a substitute; it helps high-speed water sports activities and leisure diving.

Winner: Draw

Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. SE: Battery life

I assumed that the Apple Watch Sequence 9’s battery life can be considerably higher than the Watch SE, however the variations of their energy effectivity are minimal.

Sooner or later, to check each gadgets’ battery life, I charged the Apple Watch Sequence 9 and Apple Watch SE to 100% at 4:30 p.m. The Apple Watch SE tapped out the following day at 8:10 p.m. whereas the Watch Sequence 9 lasted a little bit longer by an hour and a few change.

Apple Watch SE – 1 day and three hours and half-hour

Apple Watch Sequence 9 – 1 day and 4 hours and 36 minutes

The utilization profile included utilizing Siri to ask questions all through the day (e.g., climate, math calculations, asking for well being information), setting timers for exercises, monitoring my coronary heart fee throughout jogs, sleep monitoring, texting associates, controlling Apple Music, glancing at emails, and extra.

It is price noting, although, that Apple Watch Sequence 9 helps quick charging; the Apple Watch SE doesn’t. Which means, on the Watch Sequence 9, the battery can go from 0 p.c to 80 p.c in 45 minutes, in accordance with Apple.

You should utilize a USB-C Apple charging brick like this one from Amazon to get the fast-charging job executed.

Winner: Apple Watch Sequence 9

Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. SE: Which one must you purchase?

Apple Watch Sequence 9 is healthier at monitoring your well being. Should you’re looking for a tool that may give you ovulation estimates, ship ECG readings, preserve tabs in your pores and skin temperature (in case you care about that type of factor), and allows you to entry most of that information through Siri, get the Sequence 9.

Should you’re extra fitness-focused, and you do not thoughts the thicker bezels and lack of always-on show, the Watch SE is a stable alternative.

You, like me, might assume that the Watch Sequence 9 has higher battery life as a result of it is pricier, however in my expertise, each held up fairly effectively by way of energy effectivity (although the Sequence 9 edged out the Watch SE by an hour or so).

The one factor I might warn in opposition to is getting the solo loop band to your Apple Watch. It appears to get unfastened after a while — and it is not very sturdy. As a substitute, get the sports activities band, permitting you to regulate the Apple Watch to your wrist as you prefer it.