Apple

Watch SE (1st generation)

Running these analyses costs money. Buy through my links to help keep lights on! I may get a small commission.

Apple Watch SE (1st generation)

Overall

#38 in

Fitness Trackers

according to Reddit Icon Reddit

User sentiment51% positive
61
21
37

Top Pros

Top Cons

Last updated: Apr 6, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit Icon9999cw 1.0
r/appleThe Apple Watch SE 3 is the one to buy | Apple gave the people what they wanted, resulting in the most compelling update to the Apple Watch lineup this year.
7 months ago

I liked my gen 1 SE, but when I actually got into slightly regular running I realised its limitations (hopeless battery and GPS, would sometimes miss tracking 10% of a Parkrun to the point of thinking that I’d levitated across a lake), switched to a Garmin and never looked back. I’m not entirely sure what the target customer for the AW is at this point

r/appleThe Apple Watch SE 3 is the one to buy | Apple gave the people what they wanted, resulting in the most compelling update to the Apple Watch lineup this year.
7 months ago

The SE’s GPS is worthless. It would sometimes miss tracking 10% of a Parkrun to the point of thinking that I’d levitated across a lake. I completely lost trust in it being able to track accurately even in open fields. I switched to a Garmin and it actually does the basic job it’s supposed to do.

Reddit Iconalexgduarte 1.0
r/apple[Apple] Introducing Apple Watch Ultra 3
7 months ago

AWU2 here from last year and same. This watch will probably last me at least 3 more years, likely between 3-5. I had a SE from 2021 until 2024 (only upgraded because battery, not because I needed the new features) so will upgrade from this watch when battery becomes unusable or Apple brings really changing tech like actual hypertension readers/glucose monitors

Reddit IconAncient_Section_75 1.0
r/Fitness_IndiaWhy Do People Choose Garmin Over Apple or Samsung for Fitness?
5 months ago

I use an apple watch and garmin. Short review Apple is a kickass smart watch and a good Fitness watch Garmin is a kickass fitness watch but a dumb smart watch (I am in the apple ecosystem) My apple watch is 3 or 4 years old now. SE first gen battery %67. While doing my half marathon, I was anxious the whole time I will run out of battery before I finish the race. If you do swimming, Garmin is your choice - with apple over one year the corners get hit and that will allow water to get in. Garmin 265 is one year old and yet to face such issues. Plus the physical buttons make it convenient to operate. And the battery life is amazing. I charge the garmin once a week vs apple watch currently at twice a day.

Reddit IconBionPure 1.0
r/PeterAttiaHume Band thoughts after WHOOP
8 months ago

It’s so expensive too. If you have an Apple Watch, Athlytic does the same thing as Whoop but way more economical. It has nearly the same parameters. Most importantly, the exertion measurement. It will tell you if you are overexerting, tell you if your sleep was shit and if any metrics are out of ordinary. It destroys Whoop in value. For android there are other apps that work good on the galaxy watch. Even Fitbit is better than whoop in terms of value ($9.99) https://preview.redd.it/qfsy6duvd2gf1.jpeg?width=1302&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4be30a657a738c29dc7f66ec7738ec992ac66487

Reddit IconCanadaSoonFree 1.0
r/beginnerrunningBest Apple Watch for running
4 months ago

I’m running with the dataless SE that just came out. Not much to compare against but it hits all my requirements and easily fits into the Apple ecosystem. My requirements were working with Apple Music and allowing me to leave my phone at home. Does a great job, good battery and most importantly can play DRM Apple Music offline.

Reddit IconCool_Eardrums 1.0
r/AppleWatchWhy are the battery lives so bad?
4 months ago

Meanwhile my SE 1 drains 40% in 6 hours without doing anything in particular. Battery health is at 85%... Cellular off, Theater mode on, no notifications.

r/GarminAnother person who’s changing Apple Watch to Garmin, not sure what’s best for me?
3 months ago

Funnily enough, for me it's the other way around: Apple is relatively accurate and Garmin struggles. For instance, when reading in bed, Apple told me that I was awake while Garmin counts that as sleep.

Reddit IconErzaScralet 1.0
r/PixelWatchApple Watch Ultra vs Pixel Watch 3
7 months ago

Just had two walks with Pokemon Go, and I used my AGING Apple watch SE (2020) I think, and the Pixel Watch 3, mostly to see if this year I upgrade to an Apple Watch SE 3, or switch to a Pixel Watch 4 since I pre ordered the Pixel 10 Pro and want a new watch-- even setting a timer on my Apple watch 2020 SE is SLOWWWW now. After the first walk, I laughed at how OFF the Pixel Watch was on distance and calories burned. Now I'm only going off the past 5 years of my Apple Watch SE, but the Pixel watch 3 clocked a mile 0.71 miles EARLIER than the Apple Watch SE, which if that's the baseline and assuming is correct, is laughably bad. Final metrics were: Distance walked: 1.10 miles (AW); 1.22 miles (PW) Calories: 104 active, 142 total (AW); 193 (PW) Average HR: 105 (AW); 104 (PW) Steps: Apple doesn't say; 2,535 (PW) Average Pace: 18:49/mi (AW); 17:16/mi (PW) Save for a couple seconds if I paused or ended the walk... Wayyyyyy OFF on calories and distance. Must be terrible GPS and overestimation on calories, I would NOT trust Fitbit/Google if you're using them to be in a deficit for weight loss. Just did a 0.56 mile shorter walk (AW), and the Pixel said I did 0.62. 56 active and 76 total calories (AW), Pixel says 114 calories. Average Pace of 19:36/mi (AW) and Pixel says 17:46. Just two short sessions with it on a simple outdoor walk, and I'm returning this Pixel Watch 3 immediately and just waiting for the Apple Watch SE 3rd generation next month or October. 3 generations, with a 4th dropping early October and Google/Fitbit can't get the hardware right??? No shot I can ever main a Pixel again, as bad as I want to. For the record, I LOVE Pixel and have owned EVERY Pixel except for the Pixel 7 series, and have the Pixel 10 Pro pre ordered after trading in 8 Pro, sold my 9 Pro month or so ago knowing the August 20th event will plummet value for resale. For cameras, it's NO CONTEST, Pixel is better. I have an iPhone 15 Pro Max, and for telephoto, no contest. It's taking rumors that the 17 Pro Max will FINALLY match all lenses to be 48MP range to maybe give them a shot to compete. So I can equally dunk on Pixel for having terrible sensors on their watch, and Apple for up until maybe this year having terrible sensors on cameras on their "pro" line.

Reddit Iconformerlyabird3 1.0
r/applewatchultraUltra 3 owners… what AW did you upgrade from and what new features do you like most? (Other than obvious battery life)
5 months ago

Came over from Garmin Forerunner 255, but was on an original SE before that. I’m a serious (I like to think!) runner and the action button and battery life are tremendous upgrades from the old SE. I just got it yesterday so I really have barely scratched the surface but I love the watch face options, the health features, and the sleep tracking so far!

Reddit IconFrezburg2 1.0
r/applewatchultraIs the Apple Watch Ultra 3 overkill for me?
6 months ago

I upgraded to the ultra 3, gave my wife my series 10. S 10 is about 99% battery health after one year. My wife had a se series one 40mm. The 10 is lighter but have to charge each morning, from about 70 %. Could go to about 30% not charging till late afternoon. The ultra battery lasts way longer but watch is heavier on wrist. I think watch battery life is good for about 4 years. I upgraded to series 10 from ultra 1. Before the ultra 1 I had the series 7.

Reddit IconFunny_Budgie 1.0
r/AppleWatchWeekly Buying/trading/selling advice, pre-orders and shipping Megathread
7 months ago

Would you recommend upgrading from a SE1 to a SE3 when it comes out? I’ve had my SE for almost 5 years now and it’s done good. Unfortunately it’s no longer receiving updates and the battery life is horrible. The screen also has a small crack in the corner. The new features with the SE3 are making me really want it but wondering if I should stick it out longer, money isn’t an issue but I don’t want an expensive model