Apple Watch SE 44mm Review: Price, Specs, Worth It

The Apple Watch SE 44mm offers a larger screen and longer battery life than its smaller sibling, but at a higher price. This article breaks down the specs, value, and real-world trade-offs to help you decide if it’s worth the extra cash.

Display size: 44mm Retina LTPO OLED · Processor: Apple S8 SiP · Battery life: Up to 18 hours · Water resistance: WR50 (50 meters) · Price (GPS): From $279

The table shows that the 44mm SE is a capable device with solid specs for its price tier.

How old is the Apple Watch SE 44mm?

Apple’s “budget” smartwatch has been around long enough that two distinct generations exist. The first-generation Apple Watch SE launched in September 2020, bringing the core Watch experience to a lower price point. Two years later, in September 2022, the second-generation SE arrived with a faster processor and the same design.

When was the Apple Watch SE first released?

• 1st generation: September 2020, alongside the Series 6 (PCMag (tech review site))
• 2nd generation: September 2022, alongside the Series 8 and Ultra (Apple Support (official))

Has the Apple Watch SE received updates?

Only one major hardware revision so far. The 2nd gen SE uses the same S8 chip as the Series 8, a notable upgrade over the S5 chip in the original. No other iterations have been released. The implication: if you see a new SE on the shelf today, it’s almost certainly the 2022 model.

The implication: a 2022 purchase still offers strong longevity for budget-conscious buyers.

Is the Apple Watch SE really worth it?

For many buyers, the SE hits the sweet spot between price and functionality. It lacks premium health sensors but keeps the core features that make an Apple Watch useful: notifications, fitness tracking, fall detection, and now Crash Detection.

Who is the Apple Watch SE for?

• First-time smartwatch buyers who want the Apple ecosystem
• Budget-conscious users who don’t need ECG or blood oxygen monitoring
• Kids or older adults who need safety features like Fall Detection and Emergency SOS

What features does it offer for the price?

• Crash Detection and Fall Detection (Reviewed (product review site))
• Heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, and activity rings
• 32GB storage for music and apps (Reviewed (product review site))
• Water resistance to 50m for swimming

What you miss: always-on display, blood oxygen sensor, ECG, and temperature sensing. The trade-off: you save roughly $100–$200 compared to a Series 8 or Ultra.

How much is an Apple Watch SE 44mm worth?

Pricing is straightforward but varies by connectivity and region. The 44mm GPS model starts at $309 in the US, while the 40mm GPS starts at $279. Cellular adds $50 to either size.

What is the official retail price?

• 44mm GPS: $309 / £299 / AUS$479 (Digital Trends (wearables reviewer))
• 44mm GPS + Cellular: $359 / £349 / AUS$549 (TechRadar (tech review site))
• 40mm GPS: $279 / £269 / AUS$429 (CNN Underscored (consumer advice))

How does the price compare to other models?

At $309, the 44mm SE is $120 cheaper than the Series 8 (41mm) and $490 cheaper than the Ultra. That’s a substantial gap, and it explains why the SE remains the best-selling Apple Watch model.

Refurbished units from Apple or third-party sellers can knock another $50–$70 off, making it an even better value proposition.

The pattern: the SE’s pricing positions it as the most accessible entry point into the Apple Watch ecosystem.

What’s the difference between SE 40mm & 44mm?

One key pattern: the 44mm gives you a larger display and longer battery life, but it’s heavier and more expensive. The choice comes down to wrist size and budget.

The 44mm display is 29% larger in area, which makes text and complications easier to read. The catch: the 44mm is 6.5g heavier, which some users notice during sleep tracking.

Size and display differences

Apple lists the 44mm display area as 977 sq mm, compared to roughly 759 sq mm for the 40mm (Apple Support (official)). Both reach a peak brightness of 1,000 nits (CNN Underscored (consumer advice)).

Battery life and weight differences

Both sizes claim up to 18 hours of battery life, but the 44mm has a slightly larger battery that may last a bit longer in real-world use. The 44mm GPS weighs 32.9g (2nd gen) vs 36.2g for the 1st gen (Apple Support (official)).

Which size should you choose?

For wrists 140mm and above, the 44mm is comfortable and looks proportional. Smaller wrists often prefer the 40mm. The $30 price difference is small, so if you have the wrist real estate, the 44mm is the better value for the extra screen.

What this means: the 44mm SE delivers a noticeably larger display for a minimal price premium, making it the better value for users with larger wrists.

What is the downside of the Apple Watch SE?

No watch is perfect, and the SE cuts corners to hit its price. Here are the biggest compromises.

Missing health sensors

• No ECG (electrocardiogram) — requires Series 4 or later
• No blood oxygen sensor — available on Series 6 and later
• No temperature sensing — Series 8 and Ultra only

No always-on display

The SE lacks an always-on Retina display. You have to raise your wrist or tap the screen to see the time. For many users this is a minor inconvenience, but it’s a feature some competitors offer at similar prices.

Older processor?

The 2nd gen SE actually uses the same S8 SiP chip as the Series 8, so performance is identical. The 1st gen used the S5, which is noticeably slower. So this downside only applies to the original SE.

The implication: the SE’s trade-offs are acceptable for most users, but health enthusiasts should look to the Series 8.

Why is the Apple Watch SE so cheap?

Apple keeps costs down by using an aluminum case instead of stainless steel, omitting certain sensors, and using a standard display rather than an always-on LTPO panel. The result is a watch that costs $100–$200 less than the flagship models.

What features are sacrificed?

• Aluminum case instead of stainless steel or titanium
• No ECG, blood oxygen, or temperature sensors
• No always-on display
• No sapphire crystal display option

How does Apple keep costs down?

By reusing the same case design for two generations and sharing the S8 chip with the Series 8, Apple achieves economies of scale. The SE also uses a lower-resolution display and a simpler back crystal, reducing manufacturing costs.

The implication: you’re not getting a “bad” watch — you’re getting a smartwatch that focuses on the essentials. The savings come from leaving out the premium materials and sensors that most people never use.

The pattern: Apple’s cost reduction strategy centers on component reuse and material simplification, enabling the SE to undercut premium models without sacrificing core performance.

For budget-conscious buyers in New Zealand, the choice is clear: the 44mm Apple Watch SE is the best value proposition in the lineup. If you can live without ECG and an always-on display, you save $120–$200 over the Series 8. If those sensors matter, you should step up to the Series 8 — or wait for the next SE. The catch: the SE’s value proposition hinges on your willingness to forgo advanced health features for a lower price.