Apple Watch Series 6 vs Apple Watch SE: Which should you buy?

For 2020/21, Apple has decided to release not one, but two new Apple Watches. If you're looking for everything Apple Watch has to offer, you'll want to invest in the Series 6. If you want to save some money, but still want most of the cutting-edge features found on that model, go with the all-new SE.

Apple Watch Series 6 vs. Apple Watch SE: The differences

It's difficult to see the differences between these two Apple Watch models, at least on the outside. Dig deeper, however, and you can see where the less expensive SE lacks, as the following chart shows.

	Series 6	SE
Starting price	$399	$279
Case materials	Aluminum Stainless steel Titanium	Aluminum
Case sizes	40mm 44mm	40mm 44mm
Battery performance	Up to 18 hours	Up to 18 hours
Screen material	Sapphire Crystal (Stainless Steel, Titanium) Ion X glass (Aluminum)	Ion X glass (Aluminum)
Display quality	Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display (1000 nits)	Retina LTPO OLED display (1000 nits)
Processor	S6 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor	S5 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor
Wireless chipset	W3	W3
Ultra Wideband	U1	None
Water-resistance	50 meters	50 meters
Features	Compass Always-on altimeter Second-generation optical heart sensor Accelerometer up to 32 g-forces Ambient light sensor Fall detection Blood oxygen sensor Electrical heart sensor	Compass Always-on altimeter Second-generation optical heart sensor Accelerometer up to 32 g-forces Ambient light sensor Fall detection
Storage capacity	32GB	32GB

Apple Watch Series 6 vs. Apple Watch SE: Better health and more with Series 6

Source: Lory Gil / iMore

The Apple Watch Series 6 is the first to offer a blood oxygen sensor. Like the Series 5 before it, the model also has an electrical heart sensor and always-on display. The latter has been "enhanced" for this year. The Series 6 also includes a fresh dual-core S6 SiP.

As the current flagship, the Series 6 is also the only Apple Watch to come in stainless steel, titanium, and Hermès. There are also Series 6 aluminum model exclusives, blue and (PRODUCT)RED. Finally, Series 6 is the only Apple Watch to include a U1 chip. First introduced on the iPhone 11 series, the chip offers improved spatial awareness and accuracy than Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi.

Apple Watch Series 6 vs. Apple Watch SE: Much is the same with SE

With the Apple Watch SE, you still get many of the same features found on the Series 6. These include 32GB storage, a bigger display, fall detection, international emergency calling, noise monitoring, support for Family Setup, compass, always-on altimeter, Digital Crown with haptic feedback, second-generation speaker, and mic, a ceramic and sapphire crystal back.

The Apple Watch SE is available in both 44mm and 40mm sizes and in both GPS only and GPS + Cellular models. One advantage to the SE is if you want a GPS + Cellular model, the price increase over the GPS-only model is only $50, rather than the $100 price difference for the Series 6.

Apple Watch Series 6 vs. Apple Watch SE: Which should you buy?

Source: Daniel Bader / Android Central

If you're looking for the latest and greatest Apple Watch, the Series 6 is the choice for you. It's the one with the most features and styles. Its two biggest features, the blood oxygen monitor and electrical heart sensor, take wellness to new levels.

For those new to Apple Watch, the SE could be the model for you. Offering many of the same features as the Series 6, the SE is aggressively priced and a much better solution than the Series 3.

Regardless of the model you select, be sure to check out some of our favorite Watch bands!