Buzz
While many Apple Watches offer comprehensive experiences, when considering value, one standout steals the spotlight. Enter the Apple Watch SE 2, currently topping the charts as the ultimate pick.Design
When it comes to design, I've always admired the sleekness of Apple Watch. Its rounded edges provide a comfortable experience, minimizing any sharp corners that might dig into your wrist. However, whether this design is outdated remains uncertain. It retains similarities with the latest Apple Watch Series 8, yet it's still an older design compared to the Apple Watch Ultra. So, is it outdated? It's a tough call 😁.
Performance and User Experience
Speaking of hardware prowess, it's almost neck and neck with the latest Apple Watch models like the Series 8. Both are equipped with the same S8 chip, but the Series 8 boasts an additional Ultra Wideband radio chip for enhanced positioning capabilities, dubbed the U1 chip.
Moreover, in usage, I find both to be quite similar, with smoothness comparable even to the Apple Watch Ultra. Currently, I'm running watchOS 10 dev beta 2 on this Apple Watch SE 2, and to my surprise, watchOS 10 makes it even smoother. It's my first time updating to a dev beta for an Apple device without encountering lag issues; it's not just smooth but remarkably so. Part of it is due to the well-optimized animations on watchOS 10 by Apple.Display
Regarding the display, it's undoubtedly a drawback compared to the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra, and it still falls short compared to the Series 7. It has a lower resolution as Apple positioned it as a budget-friendly product. So, it's understandable why its screen is inferior to the higher-end models. That's in theory. In practice, I haven't noticed any significant difference partly because it meets Apple's Retina standard, and the Apple Watch screen is too small to discern finer details unless you have eagle eyes.
I'd like to add a bit about touch on the Apple Watch screen in general. Based on my personal experience, models like the Series 8 or SE offer smoother swiping compared to the Apple Watch Ultra. The reason being, after about a week with the Apple Watch Ultra, there's a slight sense of awkwardness due to being accustomed to swiping on the curved screens of other Apple Watch models.
In summary, the compromises regarding the display are quite significant. You'll get a thicker screen bezel, lower resolution, and no Always On Display feature. If you're willing to accept these trade-offs, then this Apple Watch SE is for you.Software Experience
Regarding the software experience, the current Apple Watch SE 2 is still being updated to the latest version, which overall doesn't have any limitations compared to other models. As mentioned earlier, my experience on watchOS 10 dev beta has been excellent without any discomfort.
Most of the latest features are available on the Apple Watch SE 2. However, there are two notable features missing: SpO2 measurement and ECG measurement, which are not typically found on Apple Watch SE models. Personally, I occasionally need SpO2 measurement, so the absence of these two features isn't a big issue for me.Pricing
Certainly, when it comes to determining whether a purchase is worthwhile or not, the most important factor is the price. I find that the Apple Watch SE 2 offers me more value for my money. On the Apple Store Online Vietnam website, the Apple Watch SE 2 is priced between 6 million to over 7 million dong depending on the size. If you opt for more premium bands, the price will be slightly higher. Currently, I'm using a leather band with a magnetic clasp and I'm quite satisfied with it. If I remember correctly, Apple calls it the Leather Link, and I bought it for around 2.5 million dong.
I've noticed that other retail distributors offer prices about 1 million dong cheaper than the Apple Store Online. For those who seek even lower prices, purchasing a used one might be an option. Currently, used units are priced around 5 million dong, depending on their condition.How Apple Watch SE 2 Enhances My Life
- Receive notifications and respond quickly when unable to hold the phone.
- Sometimes I take calls with my Apple Watch, especially when showering or cooking and can't hold the phone. The call quality on the Apple Watch SE 2 is good, no need to discuss much about this.
- Measure health indicators like heart rate, sleep, etc.
- Track sports activities, mainly for running and soccer. It tracks these two sports quite accurately; for more hardcore activities, I haven't tested yet, so can't comment.
- It adds a touch of fashion to my wrist, makes me look more tech-savvy hahah, in short, it's stylish.
- Helps me take selfies without needing someone else's help.
Trade-offs for an Affordable Apple Watch
Now, let's summarize what you need to trade off if you want to buy the Apple Watch SE 2:- Thicker screen bezel, lower resolution compared to higher-end Apple Watch models (hard to notice)
- No Always On Display feature
- No SpO2 and ECG measurement features
- Outdated design compared to the Apple Watch Ultra
- No U1 positioning chip
- No additional casing options like steel, ceramic, or titanium.
