Apple Watch SE, upgraded with new processor. Comes at a lower price

Apple has officially dropped the Apple Watch Series 3 from its offering and is introducing a new “SE” model to take its place as the base model. Unlike the previous SE model, it gets a few design changes as well as performance upgrades, and is based on the same hardware platform as the new Series 8 model, but with a few tweaks to achieve a more affordable price point.

Apple Watch SE gets a small upgrade and a small design change

First off, the new Apple Watch SE is cheaper than the last generation model. While the original SE started at $329 US, the new SE now comes in at $249, $80 cheaper, but also $50 more expensive than the previous base model, the outgoing Series 3.

The new watch retains the overall design from the past, i.e. the Series 4, but changes the bottom, which takes contact with the skin. Previously, this component was made of ceramic material, as it is on all Apple Watch models from Generation 4 onwards, but now it is made of nylon.

Compared to the Watch Series 8, the new Apple Watch SE doesn’t come with Always-On for the display, sensors such as ECG, blood oxygen saturation monitoring, or temperature sensor, but it does have all the sports monitoring features available. Other differences would be the lack of dust resistance, but it keeps the water resistance for swimming functions. Otherwise, it’s a fully functional Apple Watch with the same Apple S8 processor inside as the current model.

All Apple Watch bands released so far remain compatible with the new Watch SE, and new software features like car accident detection and user fall detection are available on this new model as well.

Apple Watch SE is only available in three colors, Silver, Starlight and Midnight. It launches in the US on September 16.