INTRODUCTION
So Apple recently released some new watched. Within these, there was an Apple Watch SE. Guess What? I decided to purchase one. With the lower price, and mostly the same features it was a no brainer! The features it was missing I didn’t need, but more on that later.
So I have been using the watch “full time” now for around a week and I thought I would let you know what I think about it, how I am getting on, do I regret not getting the model up. I think a good place to start would be going over which one I bought, the specs and the plan.
WHICH ONE DID I GET?
So which model did I get? Well, I ended up going for the Apple Watch SE – Nike Edition. Why did I go for the Nike edition? No other reason than I like one of the watches faces you get, I like the band (ended up getting the pride edition as the band is colourful), and that it doesn’t cost any extra. So it seemed like a no brainer.
The SE is missing a few features, like the always-on display, the ECG and blood oxygen sensor. Apart from that, they are, for the average user, the same watch. I didn’t see myself using the ECG and Blood oxygen features. So it wasn’t bothered about them not being on the Apple Watch SE. So, how was I planning on using my Apple Watch SE?
HOW WAS I PLANNING TO USE?
The main reason for buying the Apple Watch SE is to track various stats. Heart Rate, Sleep, steps and also workouts. I have been very interested in the Apple Watch for a few years now, but have always been put off with the price. Well, with the release of the Apple Watch SE I thought it would be the perfect time to try it out.
I was a big Strava user, when going on bike rides, runs or even just a nice walk I would use Strava to track what I could. Now, I can use the Apple Watch’s built-in workout options and track distance, time, heart rate, pace and calories burnt. The best bit? It syncs with Strava! So I can still use Strava but control it all through the Apple workout feature.
I have also been using it to track my sleep and resting heart rate. If I am 100% honest I don’t know what to do with this information, I am a pretty good sleeper and have no issues falling asleep, but it is always nice to see some statistics. Seeing when you woke up and what your heart rate was while sleeping.
The last feature I am using a lot is the step counter. Now my phone did count steps but the downside of that is if I put the phone down and walk it won’t count my steps. I want to try to be as consistent as possible and having a counter attached to your wrist all day is the best way. It has massively helped me increase my daily steps.
HOW IS THE BATTERY?
The biggest negative I feel about wearable tech is the charging. The fact that it has a battery! I am a huge mechanical watch fan. So going from wearing a watch that never needs charging or a battery changed, to wearing a watch that needs charging every night is a big leap. However, after a few days, I have incorporated the charging into my daily life.
I find that the battery will last around a day and a half, but I never let it fully run down. If I can charge it, then I will put it on charge. As I said I am wearing it to bed so can’t charge it overnight. So I am charging it while showering or eating in the evenings. I am trying to charge it while I am at my least active. Which, I am finding is working well.
I feel that the Apple Watch 6 would have a shorter battery life due to the extra sensors and the always-on display. Which, as we said in the beginning I am not fussed aren’t on the Apple Watch SE.
WHAT ARE THE WORKOUT FEATURES LIKE?
Now, time to talk about the main reason I purchased the Apple Watch SE. The workout features/tracker. I have used the feature for various workouts (Weights, Functional Training and Cardio). So let us go through each type of workout and explain how I go on.
Weight training is a funny one. The calorie counter works off your heart rate, which when weight lifting might not get that high. So you have to give and take the calorie’s burned when using it for weight lifting. However, it is nice to see a timer and also your heart rate. Another factor to control during your workouts.
Functional training it works well with. You will still run into the same issue as above but because it will be higher intensity, with maybe some cardio mixed in, your heart rate will be higher so will be more accurate on the calories burned. This is my favourite workout to use. Mainly because I am doing more functional training now.
ANYTHING ELSE?
Cardio! This is where the watch comes into its own. I have been on several walks and runs (Both indoor and outdoor) and have had amazing results using the watch. Helping me improve my times and distance. Thanks to the notifications it lets you know if you are ahead of your average pace or behind, meaning you always know how you are performing on each run. Again, it will track distance, heart rate and time. Then calculate the calories. Which I would say are fairly accurate.
Thanks to the bright and clear display I have had no issue seeing the screen while running. I have even been on a run in the rain and haven’t had any issues with it. Then after you completed the workout, you can go into the stats and get more information, Working heart rate, recovering heart rate, splits etc. Very useful for seeing where you need to improve or finding your weaknesses.
The last point to make is that there are loads of workouts to chose from. From indoor running, outdoor running, boxing, skiing, boxing and loads more. Each one set up for that sport. Very good to keep track of what workouts you are doing when.
BEEN SWIMMING YET?
I have not! For no other reason than I haven’t got round to it. I will take it swimming but with the current climate with lockdown restrictions, my local pool are running restricted time limits. So I don’t want to pay for a swim and spend most of the time setting up the watch.
Once everything eases a little, then I will take it for a swim and see how the watch (and myself) perform. On a side note, if you haven’t seen how the Apple Watch removes water go check out the video here. It is so clever!
ANY OTHER FEATURES YOU HAVE ENJOYED?
Apart from the workout features and the fitness side of the watch, there are many other features that I have enjoyed. The Timer and Stopwatch app can come in useful for not only my workouts but also anything else I need to time. For example, cooking food! Once the timer is up, it doesn’t make a sound but vibrates on your wrist!
Speaking of vibrating on your wrist. The alarm. I am using the Apple Watch SE while sleeping, so I am setting an alarm on my phone, however, I turn the volume down on my phone. When the time comes to wake up, the watch uses its haptics and vibrates to wake you up. I am finding this a much more natural way to wake up. Less sudden and quieter. Love this feature.
Of course, the notifications are also really helpful on the app. Getting text, calls Instagram or Facebook notifications all come through on the watch. Meaning with a glance I can tell If it is something I need to address quickly. If so I can either get my phone and reply or reply from the watch.
ANY NEGATIVES?
No matter how you look at it, if you are just after a fitness tracker, the Apple Watch SE, while much cheaper than the Apple Watch 6, is still a fair amount of money. There are plenty of fitness trackers out there for a lot less than the Apple Watch. It is up to you to decide which one is best for you.
Also, The Apple Watch SE does work with Android but to get the most out of the watch you want to use it with an iPhone. This way 100% of the features will work as indented. If you have an Android, you might be better looking into a Garmin or Samsung wearable.
There is also a bit of a learning curve with the software. Not so much in how to use it because it is all touch, there are only 2 buttons (1 button and 1 button/scroll wheel). However getting it set up, getting apps across and also syncing it up with other fitness apps you might use can be a challenge. As well as all the customisable options it can be a challenge figuring it all out.
Durability! I haven’t owned the watch long enough yet to give my full opinion on this, but what I can tell you is that coming from Mechanical watches, which are made out of stainless steel and Sapphire glass. Those things are bulletproof, won’t scratch or crack or smash when dropped. I do not get that impression from the Apple Watch. I am having to be careful not to hit it or knock it on anything. I might be wrong and it might be solid but for now, I will take it carefully!
CONCLUSION
So in conclusion, I am enjoying my time with the Apple Watch SE. I would highly recommend picking one up. I feel it will make anyone more active and also more aware of their habits. As we have mentioned above, they work best with an iPhone. However, they will work with other devices, I just don’t know how well.
If you have an Apple Watch of any kind what do you think? Do you enjoy it? Use it regularly? Or you see yourself upgrading to the latest models? Let us know over on our Instagram! Do you have another fitness tracker? We would love to see what devices everyone is using for their fitness tracking.
If you want to find out your Macros/Daily Calories then check out our app for a free calculator.
Written by Kieran Blacker
Kieran is the CEO and Founder of Sets & Reps. He decided to make an application that helped people get a gym workout when not at the gym. He designed, Coded and built the application himself.
2 thoughts on “The Apple Watch SE Review – After One Week(ish) on the Wrist”
Comments are closed.