However, we’re going to tell you not to buy the Apple Watch Series 8. Instead, you should save some money and take Amazon up on its Apple Watch SE 2 offer. Madness? No, absolutely not, and this is why.
How much is the Apple Watch SE 2?
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Amazon has a great offer on both Apple Watch SE 2 sizes. The 40mm Apple Watch SE 2 is yours for $199, down from $249, and the 44mm Apple Watch SE 2 is $229, down from $279. Apple products don’t always get heavy discounts, so to see $50 knocked off an Apple Watch is welcome — and makes it a seriously tempting deal. If you want an Apple Watch SE with cellular connectivity, it’ll cost $249 or $279. We’d say it’s worth getting at the reduced price.
Why are we recommending it over the Apple Watch Series 8, which is also discounted on Prime Day? It’s because the Apple Watch SE 2 is already a good buy, but now it’s a great deal, and that makes it the perfect product to snap up on Prime Day. Bringing the Apple Watch below $200 if you want the smallest size drops it below many other non-Apple smartwatches, including the Fitbit Sense 2, and as you don’t really miss out on many of the Series 8’s features, you can feel very smug about your purchase.
What’s missing?
Apple Watch SE 2 (left) and Apple Watch Series 8 (right)Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
What do you miss out on? The big feature the SE 2 doesn’t have is the always-on screen. When the watch isn’t in use, the screen is black, but on the Series 8, it shows a power-saving clock screen. The Apple Watch Series 8 definitely looks more watch-like, but don’t let the SE 2’s black screen bother you too much, as the raise-to-wake feature is incredibly fast and accurate, so the time instantly appears with a twist of your wrist.
Otherwise, the Apple Watch SE 2 is based on the Apple Watch Series 6, so the screen is a little smaller than the Series 8, it has a slightly older heart rate sensor array on the back, it doesn’t have an electrocardiogram (ECG) or blood oxygen monitoring feature, and the case back is made of a plastic material and not ceramic. Inside, it uses the same processor, and you can use all the same apps, watch straps, and accessories with either version. It runs the same watchOS software, which will be updated for several years to come, and it has the same fitness and connectivity features too.
This has always been the sensible choice
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
I love the Apple Watch Series 8 and personally value the always-on screen, but I’m thankfully not in a position to need an ECG on my wrist, plus I find the SE 2’s sensor array just as accurate and reliable as the newer one on the Series 8. The only thing that pulls me to the Apple Watch Series 8 is the always-on screen, but for everyone that doesn’t care about such a feature, the Apple Watch SE 2 is the much more sensible buy. I’ve worn both versions since release, and I never really miss the Series 8 when I wear the SE 2.
Amazon’s offer is available for the Midnight, Starlight, or Silver finish with various choices of Sport Bands attached to it. Because the Apple Watch SE 2 is only made in aluminum (rather than the stainless steel or titanium options provided on the Series 8), there’s no other decision to be made. The Sport Band is comfortable and suitable for most situations, but there are plenty more bands out there should you want to increase your collection, which is something we wholeheartedly recommend.
But I really want the Series 8!
Joe Maring/Digital Trends
If you’re looking at the Apple Watch SE 2 and thinking you’d prefer to have the Series 8 and its always-on screen, there’s good news, as it’s also in Amazon’s Prime Day deals. You’ll just have to dig deeper to get it, and because of this, it doesn’t represent such great value as the Watch SE 2. An aluminum 41mm Apple Watch Series 8 is yours for $299 or $399 with cellular, and a 45mm is $329 or $429 with a cellular connection.
If you can afford it, the Series 8 undoubtedly gives you more, but the Apple Watch SE 2 provides all the core functionality, style, customization, and integration with your iPhone, which makes the Apple Watch the only sensible smartwatch choice for iPhone owners, for a substantial amount less money. Buy it, you won’t regret it.
Get an Apple Watch for under $150 in Walmart’s 4th of July sale
When the Apple Watch SE first came out, we were happy to finally see a great smartwatch from Apple at a budget price, at least relative to its usual pricing. While the second generation of the Watch SE has been released, the original is still a great option for those who want to save some money. There's even a great deal from Walmart for the 4th of July that lowers the 1st gen Watch SE to $149 rather than $279, which is a substantial discount.
Why you should buy the Apple Watch SE (1st Gen, 40mm)
There's a lot to like about the Apple Watch SE, starting with the minimalist look and rounded edges that you'd expect from a highly engineered and designed Apple product. It has a gorgeous 1.78-inch Retina screen with a 326 pixel-per-inch density and comes in two different sizes, 40mm, and 44mm, and both are on sale for this 4th of July, which is great. In terms of sensors, both the Watch SE and Watch SE 2 comes with roughly the same suite, including a gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer, always-on altimeter, and compass. The only difference is that the Watch SE 2 also comes with a heart rate monitor and updated accelerometer and gyroscope for the crash-detection feature only available on the Watch SE 2.
This deal gets you an Apple Watch for $149, but it’s selling fast
Looking for sweet and cheap Apple Watch deals? We'll be amazed if you can find an Apple Watch cheaper than this deal at Walmart. Today, you can buy the Apple Watch SE for $149 instead of $279. A substantial saving of $130, it's worth remembering this isn't the latest Apple Watch SE -- it's the first generation model -- but there's still plenty to like here if you don't want to spend too much on smartwatch deals. Here's everything else you need to know about it but be quick. It's proving popular and given this is an older model, stock levels are likely to be low.
Why you should buy the Apple Watch SE
Previously the best Apple Watch for most people, the Apple Watch SE is still a good bet if you're tempted by an Apple Watch but don't want to spend too much. Of course, you'll need an iPhone to use it. From there, you can easily track all your daily activities and see your trends develop. This includes steps, calories burned, flights of stairs taken, and simply how often you've stood up throughout the day. Regular challenges and awards entice you into doing better each day so it's great encouragement for a healthier lifestyle.
Best Apple Watch deals: Save on Series 8, Ultra, and more
Apple Watches are finally getting cheaper. There are so many models now that we're starting to see some discounts on the older ones. That doesn't mean you have to settle for less than the best. Some of the best smartwatches from Apple are getting discounts, like the SE 2 and even the Series 8. We've pulled our favorites below.
Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) -- $149, was $279
The Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) remains a popular choice for anyone dipping their toe into the Apple Watch world without spending a fortune. Still a great choice for most people, the watch allows you to track all your daily activities from walks to runs, HIIT workouts, to tai chi or yoga. You can also monitor your calorie burn and steps taken with a built-in compass and real-time elevation readings that are ideal for hikers. As well as that, there are high and low heart rate notifications, a heads up if your heart rate suddenly becomes irregular, and extensive notifications to save you from grabbing your phone.
