Retrospective Apple Watch SE 2 review: how does it stack up today?

Apple Watch SE 2 pros & cons

The design and build quality are still top-notch in 2024

The Apple Watch SE 2 lacks for nothing when it comes to build quality. It has the classic Apple Watch design, with a choice of case sizes – either 40 mm or 44 mm. It's made from extremely light materials, making it one of the sleeker Apple Watches out there. This is mainly due to the nylon composites used for the back, as opposed to the more commonly used ceramics. 

It retains the standard digital crown that provides haptic feedback and has the single push button layout of many Apple Watches. It comes with a stock Apple Sports Band, and it's very easy to swap this for any other band, bangle or bracelet option.

One of the main talking points around the SE 2 release was its larger-than-usual bevel. At 3 mm, it's more than twice as thick as the first-generation Apple Watch SE and still wider than later Apple Watch models. This caused some division between those who found it intrusive on the screen and those who liked its aesthetics. This is still probably a matter of taste if you're looking to buy one now. Aesthetically it has the same slim and practical design characteristic of all Apple Watches. Its smooth edges give the model a premium feel. 

The nylon composite back is paired with an aluminium casing, and you can still get this in the three original colours: silver, midnight and starlight. The SE 2 has a sharp Retina display, with vividly etched colours that are easy to read. The high-resolution screen gives great visibility, even in bright sunlight. The only drawback is that this watch doesn't have a sapphire crystal face like other Apple Watches.

The SE 2 has robust build quality. You can shower and even swim with it for short periods, as it's water-resistant up to 50 metres. But don't forget, this measurement doesn't mean you can expose it to water for long periods. It simply means that the watch can withstand the water pressure at that depth.

Apple Watch SE 2 specifications

In reviewing the specs of the SE 2, it's clear that the watch can't match up to the latest models, but even when it was released this was never the intention. Apple simply wanted to offer an affordable, entry-level smartwatch/fitness tracker, so that's exactly what you'll get with this model. It was designed as an update to the first-generation SE, with the main differences being a lighter weight and a slimmer profile. The Apple Watch SE 2 battery life is the same as its predecessor.

Even so, the capabilities have aged well – remember this model is only two years old. Here's an overview of its specifications for both versions:

Apple Watch SE vs SE 2

The SE 2 is only a light upgrade of the original SE, as you can see from the table below:

Current price and availability

You can still get a new Apple Watch SE 2 directly from an Apple Store or website, with the option of 12-month terms. But you can save quite substantially by getting a completely refurbished one on Back Market. Our prices are up to 50% lower than the original release price. The retail price of new is from *£219 at the Apple store, whereas you can get them for as little as *£164 from us.

Our watches have been thoroughly reconditioned inside and out and come with a 1-year warranty. You also have a 30-day return guarantee for a full refund. Throw in free delivery and you're looking at a great deal. If you ever have any questions about your order, you'll be pleased to know that the customer care team is available 6 days a week!

Why buy refurbished rather than new?

Besides getting better value for money with a reduced Apple Watch SE 2 price, sustainability is another very good reason to buy a refurbished smart watch rather than a new one. It's far more environmentally friendly to recycle and reuse than to throw away an old device and upgrade to a new one. It reduces electronic waste by extending the item's lifespan. 

We put all our products through rigorous testing procedures, carry out any necessary repairs and run quality checks to ensure that they perform like new, measured against the original specifications and benchmarks. Here's more detail on why you can trust our refurbished electronics.

Overall verdict

Two years on, the Apple Watch SE 2 still makes a very good entry-level wearable for those who don't need all the health and wellness features of later models. Its processing power can still go toe-to-toe with equivalent watches from other manufacturers. 

However, if you're looking for all the latest functionality and features of a watch like the Apple Series 10, the Apple Watch SE 2 is two generations behind. So if you do want more advanced features, like blood oxygen level monitoring and an ECG function, you'll need to look at a later Apple Watch model. The lack of an always-on screen can also be a bit frustrating, as you can't just glance at it to tell the time – you first have to wake up the screen. As a basic smartwatch/fitness tracker, though, this model still has plenty of longevity, plus you can upgrade much of the software.

Similar products to consider

The Apple Watch SE 2 is comparable to models like the Apple Watch Series 8, with more functionality than the Series 7. Its only real drawback is the lack of an always-on display, which the other two both have. It also has an aluminium casing, lacking the aluminium and stainless steel combination of the Series 7 and 8. CPU performance is on par with the Series 8 and faster than the Series 7. All three of these watches come with the same storage capacity, and they have identical battery lives.

On Back Market, you can also get smartwatches from other brands that have similar specifications. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is available for Android users. It has comparable specs, although it has slightly more advanced health and wellness features. The Fitbit Versa 4 is another option, with the same basic functionality. It allows you to use third-party apps and is compatible with both Apple and Android operating systems. The Google Pixel watch is another one to consider.