Don’t buy the Apple Watch Series 8 on Prime Day | Digital Trends

If you want to grab a smartwatch on Prime Day and own an iPhone, the only one you should consider is the Apple Watch.

However, we’re going to tell you not to buy the Apple Watch Series 8. Instead, you should save some money and take Amazon on its Apple Watch SE 2 offer. Madness? No, absolutely not, and that’s why.

How much does the Apple Watch SE 2 cost?

Amazon has a great deal on both sizes of Apple Watch SE 2. The 40mm Apple Watch SE 2 is yours for $199, down from $249, and the 44mm Apple Watch SE 2 is $229. down from $279. Apple products don’t always get deep discounts, so seeing $50 knocked off an Apple Watch is welcome, and makes it a really tempting deal. If you want an Apple Watch SE with cellular connectivity, it’ll set you back $249 or $279. Let’s say it’s worth buying at a reduced price.

Why do we recommend it over the Apple Watch Series 8, which is also discounted on Prime Day? It’s because the Apple Watch SE 2 is already a good buy, but now it’s a great deal, and that makes it the perfect product for Prime Day. Bringing the Apple Watch under $200 if you want the smaller size it they fall short of many other non-Apple smartwatches, including the Fitbit Sense 2, and since you don’t really lose many of the features of the 8 Series, you can feel very satisfied with your purchase.

What is missing?

What you’re missing? The big feature that the SE 2 lacks is the always-on screen. When the watch is not in use, the screen is black, but on the 8 series it shows an energy saving watch screen. The Apple Watch Series 8 definitely looks more like a clock, but don’t let the SE 2’s black screen bother you too much, as the wake-up function is incredibly fast and accurate, so the time appears instantly with a twist of the wrist.

Otherwise, the Apple Watch SE 2 is based on the Apple Watch Series 6, so the screen is a bit smaller than the Series 8, it has a slightly older heart rate sensor on the back, it doesn’t have an electrocardiogram (ECG) or blood oxygen monitoring function and the back is made of plastic material and not ceramic. It uses the same processor inside, and you can use all the same apps, bands, and accessories with both versions. It runs on the same watchOS software, which will be updated for several years to come, and it also has the same fitness and connectivity features.

This has always been the sensible choice

I love the Apple Watch Series 8 and personally appreciate the always-on screen, but thankfully I’m not able to need an ECG on my wrist, plus I find the SE 2s sensor array to be as accurate and reliable as the newest one on the Series 8. The one thing that draws me to the Apple Watch Series 8 is the always-on screen, but for anyone who doesn’t care for such a feature, the Apple Watch SE 2 makes a much more sensible purchase. I’ve worn both versions since release and never really miss the 8 Series when wearing the SE 2.

Amazon’s offering is available in Midnight, Starlight, or Silver finish with various choices of connected sports bands. Since the Apple Watch SE 2 is made only of aluminum (rather than the stainless steel or titanium options that come with the Series 8), there’s no other decision to make. The Sport band is comfortable and suitable for most situations, but there are plenty of other bands out there if you want to grow your collection, which is something we highly recommend.

But I really want the 8 series!

If you’re looking at the Apple Watch SE 2 and think you’d rather have the Series 8 and its always-on screen, there’s good news, as well as Amazon’s Prime Day deals. You’ll just have to dig deeper to get it, and for that reason, it doesn’t represent as great a value as the SE Watch 2. A 41mm aluminum Apple Watch Series 8 is yours for $299, or $399 with cellular and a 45 mm is $329 or $429. with a cellular connection.

If you can afford it, the 8 series undoubtedly offers you more, but the Apple Watch SE 2 offers all the main features, style, customization and integration with your iPhone, which makes the Apple Watch the l It’s the only sensible smartwatch choice for iPhone owners, for a significant amount of money less. Buy it, you won’t regret it.

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