Apple Watch Series 6
The Flagship
The latest Apple Watch flagship offers the most advanced features to date on the wearable device.
For
- Always-on display
- Blood oxygen app
- Stainless steel and titanium options
Against
- Not much different than Series 5
- Can get very expensive quickly
Apple Watch SE
Fresh alternative
Cupertino's first-ever mid-priced Apple Watch comes with lots of bells and whistles for less.
For
- Still packs a punch
- Great mid-priced alternative
Against
- No support for always-on display
- No blood oxygen app
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.
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| Header Cell - Column 0 | Series 6 | SE |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $399 | $279 |
| Case materials | AluminumStainless steelTitanium | Aluminum |
| Case sizes | 40mm44mm | 40mm44mm |
| 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 | CompassAlways-on altimeterSecond-generation optical heart sensorAccelerometer up to 32 g-forcesAmbient light sensorFall detectionBlood oxygen sensorElectrical heart sensor | CompassAlways-on altimeterSecond-generation optical heart sensorAccelerometer up to 32 g-forcesAmbient light sensorFall detection |
| Storage capacity | 32GB | 32GB |
Apple Watch Series 6 vs. Apple Watch SE: Better health and more with Series 6
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?
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.
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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!
Our pick
Apple Watch Series 6
Health and wellness tools continue to get added to Apple Watch, as the latest flagship shows.
Budget pick
Apple Watch SE
Skip the Apple Watch Series 3 and get this one instead. It's more like the Series 6 and still has many of the same features.
Bryan M Wolfe
Staff Writer
Bryan M. Wolfe has written about technology for over a decade on various websites, including TechRadar, AppAdvice, and many more. Before this, he worked in the technology field across different industries, including healthcare and education. He’s currently iMore’s lead on all things Mac and macOS, although he also loves covering iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Bryan enjoys watching his favorite sports teams, traveling, and driving around his teenage daughter to her latest stage show, audition, or school event in his spare time. He also keeps busy walking his black and white cocker spaniel, Izzy, and trying new coffees and liquid grapes.
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