Apple Watch SE 2: Everything we know and want to see

Apple looks poised to offer another affordable wearable. Recent leaks suggest that the company will revisit its SE line, with a new Apple Watch SE 2 launching alongside the Apple Watch Series 8 this fall. Read on to find out everything we know so far, plus what we hope to see.

Will there be an Apple Watch SE 2?

According to comments from industry insider Mark Gurman (via the Power On newsletter) and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, a budget-friendly SE follow-up is in the works. While the details are still cloudy, users can likely expect marked updates to the previous generation, all at a similarly low price point.

See also: The complete Apple Watch buyer’s guide

When will the Apple Watch SE 2 release date be?

Apple hasn’t yet revealed the Apple Watch SE 2 release date, nor have any leaks pointed to anything concrete. There isn’t much to go on with only one Apple Watch SE behind us. However, based on the launch dates of previous Apple Watches, we’d expect to see the device drop sometime this fall.

The original Apple Watch SE launched in September 2020 alongside the Apple Watch Series 6. The line was then omitted when Apple unveiled the Series 7 in 2021. We expect to see the new model launch this September alongside the anticipated Apple Watch Series 8.

What features and specs will the Apple Watch SE 2 have?

Overall, we aren’t expecting any major changes to the Apple Watch SE formula for the second iteration, but there are som rumors that point to what to expect.

Design

The Apple Watch SE is identical in design to the Apple Watch Series 6, except for its colors and materials. Apple offered the Series 6 in silver, space gray, gold, blue, and red, but the SE was limited to silver, space gray, and gold. Similarly, where the Series 6 launched in aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium, the SE has only ever been available in aluminum.

The new device will likely retain the same sizes and case design as the previous model but may add an always-on display, a feature missing from the first generation. According to reports, other specs that may make their way to the SE 2 include the S7 chip from the Series 7 and a new sensor that will allow the device to take a user’s ECG.

These are all features that set the SE apart from Apple’s more expensive models, and their inclusion would suggest that Apple is committed to offering not just a budget option, but a powerful one. If the SE 2 were to launch this Fall with these upgrades, we would be hardpressed not to recommend it.

What will the Apple Watch SE 2 price be?

Rumors haven’t been especially fruitful for the price of the Apple Watch SE 2, but we would expect to see something similar to what Apple set for the original SE. These started at $279 for the standard model with an increase for the larger size and $329 for LTE. It was also more if you opted for the larger case size. Given that the device launched two years ago, a slight increase wouldn’t be a surprise. One leak suggests a $20 increase may be imminent.

On the other hand, Apple may finally drop the Apple Watch 3 from its official lineup to squarely set the SE 2 as the company’s budget option. We could see a new pricing structure if this is the case.

The Apple Watch is arguably the most popular wearable in the market, but that doesn’t mean it’s flawless. Below are some improvements we would love to see on the company’s next SE model.

Longer battery life

We would be remiss not to wish for better battery life on Apple’s upcoming wearables. Like most other recent models, the Apple Watch SE offers 18 hours of usage between charges. A single GPS workout, however, depletes the battery significantly. We hope to see longer battery life in the new SE and faster charging. The fast charging tech introduced on the Apple Watch 7 is likely more realistic than a significant upgrade to battery life.

ECG and other new health tracking features

The Watch SE offers users a deep well of features for monitoring health and fitness. But it doesn’t hurt to ask for more. The original skips out on two features: blood oxygen monitoring and an electrocardiogram. If these make their way to the Apple Watch SE 2, it would be a hard budget wearable to beat.

We already consider the Apple Watch SE the best option for most Apple users. Adding advanced health monitoring tools to the new model would allow more health-focused users to opt for the cheaper model.

More colors

As mentioned above, the SE is limited to silver, Space Gray, and gold. We hope to see Apple bring a fresh look to the budget lineup with additional colors. Of course, this isn’t a deal-breaker as users can always add flair with replacement bands and watch faces, but it wouldn’t hurt either.

We would also love to see a more durable display screen. The original SE’s Ion-X glass is prone to scratch more easily than other Apple Watch models with sapphire glass.

Better sleep tracking

Both the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch SE 2 could benefit the most from improved sleep tracking features. Apple’s sleep tracking is incredibly basic compared to competitors like Fitbit and Garmin. In fact, many users turn to third-party apps for more metrics and insights. Apple did add the ability to measure respiratory rate in watchOS 8, but we hope to see the company continue to add depth to this category.

That’s everything we want to see on the Apple Watch SE 2. Which features do you hope for most? Be sure to vote in our poll above.