I have an iPhone, iPad and AirPods but I’ve never used an Apple Watch. My main uses at least at first would be to monitor heart rate when exercising and record lifting routines at the gym via Strong app. I use my iPhone at the gym now and find it a hassle to take in and out of my pocket to record reps. I’ve been looking at used Series 4 and later or possibly a new SE. I think I’ve read Series 4 and later will have similar heart rate tracking. I think I would like the Always On display which I don’t think the SE has.
Any recommendations for my scenario? I also ideally want it to last at least a few years
Apple Watch upgrades are very incremental. If you buy a new one you’ll very likely get software updates for longer. So I’d buy the cheapest new one you want too afford.
The always on display may not be necessary. It’s mostly useful for glancing at the watch without touching it before.
It seems like a new SE is probably the way to go then. I looked at the Series 8 a bit and it looked like the main difference for me would be the Always On display but maybe I don’t need that.
These are the main things the 8 has over the SE:
- Faster performance
- Blood oxygen and ECG sensors
- Always on display
You can actually compare all models still sold by Apple on their website.
I have the last gen SE which was several years old at that point and still today it does just about everything you’d need it to do. The new SE should be a big improvement and should be all you’ll need for years to come.
I have the original SE, it’s still amazing. I do kinda wish I had the AOD though.
I’d get the SE. Really think if you’ll actually use the features of the more expensive models.
For me the more expensive models give you 10% more benefit but not at 10% more cost.
Always On display is the only feature that seems meaningful to me in comparing the SE vs Series 8. I definitely can’t justify a $200 cost difference for that alone for a new watch. A used/refurbished Series 8 might make sense if I decide I need that.
I thought would care but… don’t really notice it now to be honest. Screen turns on whenever I turn my wrist anyway.
I’d vouch for just getting a new SE. As others stated, support is incremental and a Series 4 is already dated in terms of support. And compared to the newer watches, the SE is a great value. It only misses out on some less important features and always on display.
At first I thought I’d dislike not having always on display but I normally have to rotate my wrist anyways to check my watch which ends up waking the display anyways.
Get a series 7. they are super affordable now and the only difference to a series 8 is the temperature sensor, which currently is only used for reproductive logging. Got a steel 45mm for 414€
This is what I’m leaning towards. I can see the argument for a SE but I feel like Always On display is potentially a big deal for me so I’d like to have it as an option even if I end up disabling it. There doesn’t seem to be enough difference between Series 7 vs Series 8 for me to need the Series 8. A used Series 7 I think is a happy medium for me.
I bought a series 7 when they were on sale at the end of last year, very happy with it and as another commenter said the upgrades are very incremental so it should last a few years.
The always on display to me seems pretty useless, particularly considering the relatively short battery life of the Apple Watch compared to other fitness watches. I have a series 6 and never have an issue with my screen not turning on because you generally have to lift or turn your arm to see the watch.
I can’t help with model, but seeing HR at a glance is a game changer. Tracking workouts is what I ended up using it for the most. Well, and checking the time, using as a camera remote, and notifications.
