Apple Watch SE Vs Series 4 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Apple Watch SE & Series 4 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Apple Watch SE rather than the Apple Watch 4.

Why Do I Recommend Apple Watch SE

  • The Apple Watch SE has an advanced S5 chip for faster performance, improved health monitoring, & smoother app navigation, compared to the Apple Watch 4’s S4
  • Apple Watch SE has a compass to track direction during outdoor activities and enhance hiking and workout experiences, while the Series 4 lacks a compass.
  • It comes with a 32 GB storage capacity to install more apps, download more music, and save more data, compared to 16 GB on the Series 4
  • The Apple Watch SE has an altimeter that is always on and continuously measures elevation, while the Series 4 has an altimeter, but it’s not always on.
  • It has the advantage of international emergency calling, available on the GPS + Cellular model to contact emergency services globally without needing an iPhone nearby. The Series 4 does not have this capability.

Maybe the Apple Watch 4 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Apple Watch SE. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

FeatureApple Watch SEApple Watch 4
Release DateSeptember 15, 2020September 12, 2018
ProcessorS5 Chip S4 Chip
AltimeterAlways-On AltimeterYes (No Always-On)
Software VersionwatchOS 7 watchOS 5 
CompassYes No
International Emergency CallingYes No
Storage Capacity32 GB16 GB
MaterialsAluminum OnlyAluminum, Stainless Steel
Color OptionsMore ColourLimited Colour
PriceCheck SE PriceCheck Watch 4 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Display Technology: Both the Apple Watch Series 4 and the Apple Watch SE feature an LTPO OLED Retina display, which delivers sharp visuals, deep blacks, and high brightness levels of up to 1000 nits. This ensures excellent visibility even in bright outdoor environments.
  • Size Options and Resolution: Both models come in 40mm and 44mm sizes, with the same screen resolution in each case: 324 x 394 pixels for the 40mm version and 368 x 448 pixels for the 44mm. This means both watches offer identical display clarity and screen real estate.
  • Water Resistance: Both watches are rated for 50 meters of water resistance, making them swim-proof and suitable for swimming, showering, and shallow water activities.
  • Digital Crown with Haptic Feedback: The Digital Crown on both models includes haptic feedback, offering a tactile response when scrolling through menus or lists. This enhances the user experience by providing more precise control.
  • Health and Fitness Tracking: Both models have advanced health features like optical heart rate monitoring, an accelerometer that detects falls and can trigger Emergency SOS, and a gyroscope for detecting motion. Both watches support Fall Detection, which can automatically contact emergency services if a hard fall is detected.
  • Battery Life: Both the Series 4 and SE offer up to 18 hours of battery life, typical for most Apple Watch models, supporting a full day of usage for fitness tracking, notifications, and more.
  • Bluetooth & Cellular Connectivity: Both watches use Bluetooth 5.0, which allows faster and more energy-efficient wireless connections. Additionally, both models are available in GPS and GPS + Cellular versions, enabling users to make calls, send texts, and stream music without a connected iPhone when using the cellular version.
  • Operating System Compatibility: Both models run on watchOS, giving users access to the same app ecosystem, features like Siri integration, Apple Pay, and the Walkie-Talkie feature. Regular updates from Apple keep both models functional and up-to-date.
  • Wireless Charging: Both models support wireless charging, making it easy to recharge the watch using the included magnetic charger.

Common Features

FeatureApple Watch SEApple Watch 4
Display TypeLTPO OLED Retina DisplayLTPO OLED Retina Display
Display Size Options40mm, 44mm40mm, 44mm
Resolution (40mm)324 x 394 pixels324 x 394 pixels
Resolution (44mm)368 x 448 pixels368 x 448 pixels
BrightnessUp to 1000 nitsUp to 1000 nits
Digital Crown with Haptic FeedbackYesYes
Water Resistance50 meters (swim-proof)50 meters (swim-proof)
AccelerometerFall detection, up to 32 g-forcesFall detection, up to 32 g-forces
GyroscopeYesYes
Emergency SOSYesYes
Fall DetectionYesYes
Bluetooth VersionBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.0
Cellular OptionGPS and GPS + Cellular models availableGPS and GPS + Cellular models available
Battery LifeUp to 18 hoursUp to 18 hours
Wireless ChargingYesYes
Operating System CompatibilityWatchOSWatchOS
Siri IntegrationYesYes
Apple Pay SupportYesYes
Walkie-Talkie FunctionalityYesYes
PriceCheck SE PriceCheck Watch 4 Price

FAQ

Q: Do both watches have the same display technology and size options?
A: Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 4 and the Apple Watch SE use the same LTPO OLED Retina display and offer two size options: 40mm and 44mm. Both models also have the same resolution for each size, providing identical visual quality and screen real estate.

Q: Does the Apple Watch SE have better performance than the Apple Watch Series 4?
A: Yes, the Apple Watch SE has the S5 chip, which is newer and slightly more powerful than the S4 chip in the Apple Watch Series 4. The S5 chip is faster and more energy-efficient, providing smoother performance for apps and other tasks.

Q: Is the battery life the same for both the Apple Watch Series 4 and the Apple Watch SE?
A: Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 4 and the Apple Watch SE offer up to 18 hours of battery life, which is sufficient for a full day of typical usage, including fitness tracking, notifications, and more.

Q: Can both the Apple Watch Series 4 and SE track heart rate and detect falls?
A: Yes, both models include optical heart rate sensors for continuous heart rate monitoring. They also have fall detection, which can alert emergency services if a hard fall is detected.

Q: Does the Apple Watch SE have ECG functionality like the Series 4?
A: No, the Apple Watch SE does not support ECG (Electrocardiogram) monitoring. The ECG feature, which allows users to take heart readings, is available on the Series 4 but not on the SE.

Q: Are both watches water-resistant and suitable for swimming?
A: Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 4 and the Apple Watch SE are water-resistant up to 50 meters, making them suitable for swimming and shallow-water activities.

Q: Can both models make calls and send texts without an iPhone?
A: Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 4 and the SE come in GPS + Cellular models, which allow you to make calls, send texts, and stream music without needing an iPhone nearby.

Q: Do both the Apple Watch Series 4 and the SE have the Always-On Display feature?
A: No, neither the Apple Watch Series 4 nor the SE has the Always-On Display. This feature was introduced in the Apple Watch Series 5 and is not available on these models.

Q: Can I use both watches with the latest version of watchOS?
A: Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 4 and the Apple Watch SE are compatible with the latest version of watchOS, meaning they will receive the same software updates and access to new features.

Q: Which watch is better for health tracking: Apple Watch Series 4 or Apple Watch SE?
A: The Apple Watch Series 4 is better for advanced health tracking because it has the ECG feature, which is not available on the SE. However, both watches offer heart rate monitoring, fall detection, and emergency SOS, making them good options for general health tracking.

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