Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, 44 mm) / Apple Watch Series 8 (45 mm, GPS)

Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, 44 mm): Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), 44 mm aluminium case; GPS and GPS + Cellular models. The 40 mm case, the original Apple Watch SE (2020) and Apple Watch SE 3 are separate models.

Apple Watch Series 8 (45 mm, GPS): Apple Watch Series 8, 45 mm aluminium case, GPS model. The 41 mm case, GPS + Cellular and stainless steel versions are separate models; weight and screen size differ.

SpecificationApple Watch SE (2nd generation, 44 mm)Apple Watch Series 8 (45 mm, GPS)
Release year20222022
Case and weight44 × 38 × 10.7 mm aluminium case; GPS 32.9 g, GPS + Cellular 33 g

Weight is for the case only and rises with the band. The 44 mm case fits 140–245 mm wrists.

Apple		—
DisplayRetina LTPO OLED; 368 × 448 pixels, 977 sq mm display area, 326 ppi; up to 1000 nits; Ion-X glass

SE has no always-on mode; the screen wakes when you raise your wrist. Ion-X is strengthened glass and is not as scratch-resistant as sapphire.

Apple		Always-On Retina LTPO OLED; 396 × 484 pixels; 1143 sq mm display area; up to 1000 nits

The LTPO panel can lower its refresh rate a lot, so the screen stays on dimmed when the wrist is down.

Apple
Chip and storageS8 SiP (64-bit dual-core processor); 2-core Neural Engine; 32 GB

Storage holds music, podcasts and apps and cannot be expanded.

Apple		—
Sensors2nd-gen optical heart sensor; compass; always-on altimeter; high-g accelerometer; high dynamic range gyroscope; ambient light sensor

The high-g accelerometer and gyroscope are used for Crash Detection. ECG, blood oxygen and temperature sensors are not included on this model.

Apple		—
Safety featuresEmergency SOS; International Emergency Calling; Fall Detection; Crash Detection

Crash Detection can call emergency services after a severe car crash. Emergency SOS needs a cellular connection or Wi-Fi calling with internet access from the watch or a nearby iPhone.

Apple		—
BatteryUp to 18 hours; about 80% charge in about 1.5 hours

Apple measures 18 hours with 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use and a 60-minute workout with music; on the cellular model, 4 of those hours are on LTE. Longer GPS workouts shorten it.

Apple		—
Water resistance50 metres under ISO 22810:2010

Suitable for swimming, but not for scuba diving, water skiing or high-velocity water sports.

Apple		—
Location and wirelessL1 GPS, GNSS, Galileo and QZSS; Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; LTE and UMTS on the GPS + Cellular model

The cellular model can make calls and use data without your iPhone nearby; carrier support is required.

Apple		—
CompatibilityiPhone Xs or later with iOS 18

The watch can only be set up and used with an iPhone; it does not work with Android phones.

Apple		Requires iPhone 8 or later with iOS 16 or later

It cannot be used with Android phones.

Apple
ColoursMidnight, Starlight and Silver AppleAluminium: Midnight, Starlight, Silver, (PRODUCT)RED Apple
Chip—S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor; W3 wireless chip; U1 (Ultra Wideband)

Ultra Wideband is used for close-range location with an iPhone; availability varies by region.

Apple
Health sensors—Blood oxygen sensor; electrical heart sensor (ECG app); third-generation optical heart sensor

The Blood Oxygen app is not for medical use. The ECG app is not intended for people under 22 and may not be available in every country.

Apple
Motion and safety—High-g accelerometer up to 256 g (Fall Detection and Crash Detection); high dynamic range gyroscope; Emergency SOS; international emergency calling

On the GPS model, Emergency SOS needs a nearby iPhone or Wi-Fi Calling; international emergency calling works only on cellular models.

Apple
Location—L1 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS and BeiDou; compass; always-on altimeter

This is single-frequency (L1) GPS; drift between tall buildings can be higher than on dual-frequency models.

Apple
Connectivity—Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4 and 5 GHz; Bluetooth 5.3 Apple
Storage—32 GB Apple
Battery and charging—Up to 18 hours; built-in lithium-ion battery; USB-C magnetic fast charging cable

Apple’s 18-hour figure is based on 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use and a 60-minute workout with music; sleep tracking is not part of that scenario.

Apple
Durability—Water resistant to 50 metres under ISO 22810:2010; IP6X dust; ceramic and sapphire crystal back

Suitable for shallow-water activities in a pool or the sea; not for scuba diving, waterskiing or high-velocity water.

Apple
Size and weight—45 × 38 × 10.7 mm; aluminium GPS: 38.8 g Apple