Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
Both are good picks with different strengths. The Apple Watch Series 10 has a brighter screen and has more storage (64 GB), while the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) has more training metrics.
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Key differences
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Battery life
Evenly matched
Similar battery life: up to 18 hours and 18 hours.
-
GPS
Evenly matched
Both have built-in GPS with similar features.
-
Display
Evenly matched
Both have LTPO OLED screens of a similar size.
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
-
Weight
Evenly matched
Similar weight: 36.4 g and 32.9 g.
Other differences
- Storage Apple Watch Series 10 wins
The Apple Watch Series 10 has 64 GB of storage against 32 GB, more room for music and maps.
- Training metrics Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) wins
The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) adds training metrics such as heart rate zones, Functional Threshold Power and Power Zones.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple Watch Series 10 if…
- You're outside a lot: its screen reaches 2,000 nits.
- You load music or maps onto the watch: it has 64 GB.
- You want a quick GPS lock anywhere: it uses more satellite systems.
Choose the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) if…
- You follow your training closely: it adds heart rate zones, Functional Threshold Power and Power Zones.
- You want to wear it day and night: it weighs just 32.9 g.
Full spec comparison
On the specs both makers publish, these two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Overview
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Apple | Apple |
| Series | Apple Watch Series | Apple Watch SE |
| Released | 2024 | — |
| Versions | — | 44mm GPS + Cellular, 40mm GPS, 40mm GPS + Cellular |
| Colours | Jet Black, Rose Gold, Silver, Slate, Gold, Natural | Midnight, Starlight, Silver |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | watchOS | watchOS |
| Works with | iPhone only | iPhone only |
| Minimum iOS | iOS 18 | iOS 18 |
| Chipset | S10 SiP | S8 SiP |
| Storage | 64 GB | 32 GB |
| App store | Yes | — |
Display
The Apple Watch Series 10 is ahead on the display.
It has a brighter screen, and the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | LTPO OLED | LTPO OLED |
| Display name | LTPO3 OLED Always-On Retina display | Retina LTPO OLED |
| Resolution | 416 x 496 | 368 x 448 |
| Pixel density | 326 ppi | 326 ppi |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 1,000 nits |
| Colour display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | Yes | — |
| Controls | crown, buttons | crown, buttons |
Design & durability
Both are similar in size, weight and water rating.
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 42 / 46 mm | 40 / 44 mm |
| Case shape | Rectangular | — |
| Dimensions | 46 x 39 x 9.7 mm | 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm |
| Thickness | 9.7 mm | 10.7 mm |
| Weight (case) | 36.4 g | 32.9 g |
| Case material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Lens | Ion-X | Ion-X |
| Band fitting | proprietary | — |
| Fits wrists | 140-245 mm | 140-245 mm |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| IP rating | IP6X | — |
| Water standard | ISO 22810:2010 | ISO 22810:2010 |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 35 °C | 0 to 35 °C |
| Max altitude | 3,000 m | 3,000 m |
Battery
Battery life is close on both.
How you use the screen, GPS and notifications will matter more than the difference between them.
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 18 hours | 18 hours |
| All battery modes | Smartwatch: 18 hours; Battery saver: 36 hours | Smartwatch: 18 hours |
| Battery type | Lithium-ion | Li-ion |
| Charging | — | puck |
| Wireless charging | — | Yes |
| Fast charging | 0-80% in about 30 minutes | 0-80% in about 1.5 hours |
GPS & navigation
The Apple Watch Series 10 is ahead on GPS and navigation.
It uses more satellite systems, and the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
| Satellite systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou | GPS, Galileo, QZSS |
| Maps | Downloadable maps | Downloadable maps |
| Preloaded regions | U.S. national and regional parks | U.S. only |
| Navigation features | waypoints, back-to-start | waypoints, back-to-start |
Health & sensors
Both track much the same health data.
Heart rate, sleep and the extra sensors line up closely.
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, ECG electrode, SpO2, skin temperature, accelerometer, gyroscope, altimeter, compass, ambient light, thermometer, depth | optical HR, compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light |
| Heart-rate sensor | Third-generation optical heart sensor | Second-generation optical heart sensor |
| Heart-rate tracking | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| ECG | Yes | — |
| Irregular rhythm alerts | Yes | Yes |
| High/low heart-rate alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Heart-rate variability | Yes | — |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | — |
| Skin temperature | Yes | — |
| Respiration rate | Yes | — |
| Sleep tracking | Sleep stages | Sleep stages |
| Sleep apnea alerts | Yes | — |
| Cycle tracking | Yes | — |
Safety
Both offer much the same safety features.
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency SOS | From the watch (LTE) | From the watch (LTE) |
| Fall detection | Yes | Yes |
| Crash detection | Yes | Yes |
Training
The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is ahead on training features.
It has more training metrics, and the Apple Watch Series 10 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Triathlon / multisport | Yes | Yes |
| Swim tracking | Pool and open water | Pool and open water |
| Training metrics | training load | training load, heart rate zones, Functional Threshold Power, Power Zones |
| Running dynamics | Yes | Yes |
| External sensors | Bluetooth sensors | Bluetooth sensors |
Smart features
The Apple Watch Series 10 is ahead on smart features.
It has more storage (64 GB), and the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Calls on the watch | Yes | — |
| Speaker | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Voice assistant | Siri | Siri |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Payment service | Apple Pay | Apple Pay |
| Cellular | LTE version available | LTE version available |
| Music storage | Yes | — |
| Wi-Fi | — | Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Ultra-wideband | Yes | — |
Diving, golf & more
The Apple Watch Series 10 is ahead on specialist modes.
It has a depth gauge, and the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist modes | golf, ski | golf, ski |
| Diving | Depth gauge | None |