Apple Watch SE (2020)

Apple Watch SE (2020): the affordable option launched alongside Series 6, with the same S5 chip as Series 5, a 1,000-nit Retina display, fall detection and 32 GB; from $279.

Specs

Launch

Apple introduced it on September 15, 2020 (the "Time Flies" event, alongside Series 6); it was available to order that day and reached stores on September 18, 2020. It was discontinued on September 7, 2022. Dates and data: Apple (newsroom and Apple Support) and EveryMac.

Marketing

The SE formula was simple: the Series 6 design and large display (30 percent larger than Series 3), the Series 5 S5 chip and key features like fall detection, cutting what you do not see daily: no Always-On display, no ECG and no blood-oxygen sensor. With watchOS 7 it also debuted Family Setup, to use a cellular Apple Watch without its own iPhone. Launch price from $279 (GPS) and $329 (GPS + Cellular) in the US. (Apple newsroom, Apple Support, EveryMac.)

Flaws and fixes

Apple documents no model-specific defects in the sources consulted. Limits that do appear in its spec sheet: the maximum system version is watchOS 10 (no watchOS 11 or later); it has no Always-On display and no ECG (heart sensor is optical only, second generation); international emergency calling and Family Setup require a GPS + Cellular model; battery rated at about 18 hours by Apple.

More from the same family

October 29, 2026 Apple Support · EveryMac · Compare this product