Apple Watch SE which was released alongside Apple Watch Series 6 is a cheaper option housing the same S5 chip as Apple Watch Series 5, but lacks blood oxygen and ECG tracking and is only available in aluminum unlike the Watch 6 which is available in stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium materials. Besides that, it has all the features the Watch 6 can offer and runs on the new WatchOS 7 which ushers in new features like family setup, emoji apps, find my app, share watch faces, handwashing app, improved Siri, updated hearing protection, cycling app, new workout modes, and many more interesting features. Just like Watch 6, Apple Watch SE is available in two sizes; 44mm and 40mm and each of these is available in two models; GPS and Cellular – The difference is that the Cellular model is a standalone smartwatch and as result has more features. In this post, I compare the difference between Apple Watch SE (44mm) GPS vs Cellular to find what separates these two and to help you make the right choice.

Apple Watch SE (44mm) GPS vs Cellular – Full Specifications Compared

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The difference between Apple Watch SE GPS vs Cellular model is that the latter comes with an eSIM that enables cellular connectivity and thus makes it a standalone smartwatch that can make and receive calls directly from the watch independent of an iPhone. The Cellular model also supports features like family setup, find my app, incidental fall detection, and international emergency calling which the GPS model lacks.

Apple Watch SE (44mm) GPS vs Cellular – Features Compared

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As you can see from the tables above, the Cellular model is a more complete smartwatch that has more features than the GPS model. The Cellular model has the family setup feature that enables family members who own an Apple Watch (Apple Watch 3 upwards) but don’t own an iPhone to enjoy all the benefits of an Apple Watch. And they’re also the Find My App feature that alerts you when a family member gets home as well as allows you to monitor the locations of your kid which is not possible with the GPS model.

While not forgetting the incidental fall detection that sends out a call to a preset emergency contact when the watch detects a fall and you’re unresponsive for sometime, and the international emergency calling feature that allows you to call emergency contacts almost anywhere in the world.

The GPS model lacks these features, yet it’s still one of my favorites.

Which Should You Buy?

Clearly, the Cellular model is a better bargain. It’s a more comprehensive smartwatch with more features than the GPS model. It’s a better choice for seniors, fitness enthusiasts that enjoy outdoor workouts, and anyone wanting the extra freedom a standalone smartwatch offers. But, it’ll cost you extra bucks.

On the other hand, apart from standalone calls, family setup, incidental fall detection, and emergency features, the GPS model offers the same features as the Cellular model at a reduced price of about $280, a decent choice for a moderate price.

Meanwhile, you might also want to check out the Apple Watch 6 44mm GPS model which offers blood oxygen monitoring, ECG tracking, and always-on display which Apple Watch SE lacks.

Prices

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