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Verdict: The first-generation Apple Watch SE remains a pleasant, capable smartwatch for notifications, workouts, safety features and iPhone integration. In 2026, however, it is only a sensible purchase when a used or refurbished unit is substantially cheaper than an Apple Watch SE 2 or newer model, has healthy battery capacity and meets your limited feature needs. Apple’s current watchOS 26 compatibility list starts with the SE 2, not the 2020 SE, so support longevity—not its original launch value—should drive the decision.
Do not confuse this model with the Apple Watch SE 2 released in 2022. “Apple Watch SE (2020)” means the first-generation SE.
Who should buy the Apple Watch SE (2020)?
It can make sense for
- An iPhone owner who wants notifications, timers, calls, Apple Pay, activity rings and basic workout tracking.
- A family member who values fall detection, Emergency SOS, heart-rate alerts and simplified activity monitoring.
- A first-time Apple Watch buyer finding a very inexpensive, well-maintained used unit.
- Someone who does not need an always-on display, ECG, blood-oxygen readings or the newest watchOS features.
Skip it when
- You want the longest remaining software-support runway.
- You need long battery life or advanced training metrics for endurance sports.
- You expect the time and complications to remain visible with your wrist down.
- You need ECG, blood-oxygen, temperature-based or newer sleep-health features.
- You use an Android phone; Apple Watch is designed around iPhone pairing.
- The asking price is close to an SE 2 or another currently supported Apple Watch.
What the 2020 SE is
Apple introduced the SE in September 2020 as a lower-cost aluminum watch using the design language of the Series 4, 5 and 6. It has a dual-core S5 system-in-package, a Retina OLED display, haptic Digital Crown, speaker, microphone, GPS, compass and altimeter. Apple described the S5 as up to twice as fast as the Series 3. The watch comes in 40mm and 44mm cases, with GPS or GPS + Cellular configurations, and 32GB of storage. See Apple’s launch details at Apple’s Apple Watch SE announcement.
| Specification | Apple Watch SE (2020) |
|---|---|
| Generation | First-generation SE |
| Case sizes | 40mm and 44mm |
| Case | Aluminum |
| Processor | S5 SiP, dual-core |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Display | Retina OLED; no always-on mode |
| Wireless | Bluetooth 5.0; GPS; optional cellular |
| Water rating | 50 meters for shallow-water use when in suitable condition |
| Apple-rated battery | Approximately 18 hours under Apple’s test scenario |
What it does well
Everyday smartwatch features
For ordinary use, the SE still feels like a full Apple Watch: message previews and notifications, calls and Siri through its speaker and microphone, timers, alarms, reminders, weather, music controls, Apple Pay, navigation, watch-face complications and third-party apps. Its integration with iPhone and the Health app is the main reason to choose it over a basic fitness band.
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- Personalized Design: The bands provide different size for your choice. Various colors personalize your iwatch and fit your mood, outfit in daily life, dress up your iwatch and highlight your unique taste, perfectly fits for women men wear. Breathable holes are easier to adjust the length, a good choice for daily wear and exercise.
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- Size: 38mm/40mm/41mm/42mm(series 11 10) S/M Size: Suitable for 5.1"-7.1" (130mm-180mm) wrist; 38mm/40mm/41mm/42mm(series 11 10) M/L Size: Suitable for 5.9"-7.9" (150mm-200mm) wrist; 44mm/45mm/46mm/49mm/42mm(series 3 2 1) S/M Size: Suitable for 5.5"-7.5" (140mm-190mm) wrist; 44mm/45mm/46mm/49mm/42mm(series 3 2 1) M/L Size: Suitable for 6.3"-8.3" (160mm-210mm); Please choose the correct watch model and size for yourself.
Fitness tracking
Built-in GPS records routes for running, walking and cycling without relying entirely on the phone. Workout tracking also covers swimming and many other activities. The optical heart-rate sensor supplies continuous workout data and high- and low-heart-rate alerts. A compass and always-on altimeter provide direction, elevation and route context. Apple also includes fall detection and noise notifications. The altimeter can use GPS and nearby Wi-Fi networks to estimate elevation changes, according to Apple’s launch documentation.
It is a strong general-purpose fitness watch, but not an ideal endurance-training tool. The approximately one-day battery cycle and relatively limited sports-science metrics are restrictive for long events or users who want detailed training load and recovery analysis.
Safety features
Fall detection can call for help after a detected hard fall, while Emergency SOS provides an emergency-calling route. High- and low-heart-rate alerts, irregular-rhythm notifications where supported by software and region, and Noise app exposure warnings add useful monitoring. These are not medical diagnoses or guaranteed emergency response: detection can fail, settings and region matter, and communication requires a nearby iPhone, Wi-Fi or an activated cellular connection as appropriate.
Rank #2
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The compromises that matter in daily use
No always-on display
The screen turns off when your wrist is down. You must raise or tap the watch to see the time or complications. Wrist detection is usually convenient but not infallible, and glancing at data during a meeting or workout is less effortless than on an always-on Series model. The display is bright and readable when active, but the absence of an always-on mode is the most noticeable everyday compromise.
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No ECG or blood-oxygen sensor
The first-generation SE has optical heart-rate monitoring and alerts, but no ECG app and no blood-oxygen (SpO2) sensor. It also lacks newer temperature-based and advanced health functions found on later Apple Watches. Treat its health data as wellness information, not a substitute for clinical testing.
Short, aging battery
Apple’s approximately 18-hour figure is a test rating, not a promise for a five- or six-year-old battery. GPS workouts, cellular use, music, notifications, temperature and battery age can reduce endurance substantially. A used unit’s current battery condition matters more than the original specification.
Rank #3
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Design, comfort and water use
The aluminum case is light and comfortable, and the curved-corner Retina display uses the larger-screen shape introduced before the SE. Bands from the same Apple Watch connector family generally fit when the case-size pairing is correct. Apple rates it to 50 meters under ISO 22810:2010 for shallow-water activities such as pool or ocean swimming—not scuba diving, waterskiing or high-velocity water sports.
Water resistance is not permanent. Age, impacts, cracked glass, chemicals and prior repairs can weaken seals, so do not assume an unknown-condition 2020 watch remains swim-safe. Inspect the display and corners for cracks or lifted glass, check for dead pixels or touch problems, operate the Digital Crown and side button, and look for damage around the rear crystal, speaker, microphone and charger.
Sleep tracking is usable but requires a charging routine
The SE can track sleep through watchOS, giving useful bedtime-consistency and time-asleep information. The analysis is lighter than what some Fitbit, Withings or specialist trackers provide. Because the watch commonly needs daily charging, overnight tracking works best if you charge before bed or during a fixed daytime window.
Rank #4
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Software support in 2026
Apple’s watchOS 26 compatibility list begins with the Apple Watch SE 2 and excludes the first-generation SE. Apple says an incompatible watch remains on the newest watchOS version available for that model; it does not receive watchOS 26. That can limit future features, app compatibility, security updates and pairing with future iPhones. Apple’s current list is at Apple Support.
This does not make the watch instantly unusable. It does mean you should treat it as a finite-support product and avoid paying a premium for it. Apple has not published a guaranteed final security-update date for this model.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.GPS or GPS + Cellular?
Choose GPS when
- You normally carry your iPhone.
- You want the lowest purchase price and no recurring watch plan.
- You do not need calls, streaming or emergency communication away from the phone.
Choose GPS + Cellular when
- You regularly leave the iPhone behind during runs or errands.
- You want calls, texts, streaming or cellular emergency features away from the phone.
- Your carrier and region support the specific watch and plan.
Cellular is not automatically independent. Activation requires a supported carrier plan, and coverage varies by network and location. For requirements, see Apple’s cellular and connectivity guidance. With a used cellular watch, verify that it is not carrier-locked, that the model matches your region and carrier, and that Activation Lock has been removed.
Best Value
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Battery health and a used-buying inspection
Ask the seller for a screenshot of Settings > Battery > Battery Health > Maximum Capacity. Apple explains that this percentage compares current capacity with the battery’s original capacity at Apple Support.
- 90% or higher: attractive if the price is low.
- 80–89%: usable, but negotiate for the reduced endurance.
- Below 80%: buy only at a substantial discount and assume service may not be economical.
- No screenshot: treat the battery as an unknown risk.
These thresholds are practical buying guidance, not Apple purchasing rules. Apple’s repair process is inspection-based, and authorized providers can set their own fees; see Apple Watch repair information.
Before paying
- Request photos of the powered-on display, rear sensor, crown, side button and charger.
- Confirm the exact model, 40mm or 44mm size, storage and GPS or GPS + Cellular configuration in the About screen.
- Confirm that the seller has erased the watch and removed Activation Lock from their Apple Account.
- Check battery health and ask whether the touchscreen, speaker, microphone, haptics, GPS and charging work.
After delivery
- Pair it with your iPhone and verify that setup completes without an Activation Lock prompt.
- Test charging, touch registration, the Digital Crown, side button, speaker, microphone and haptics.
- Start an outdoor workout and confirm GPS acquisition and heart-rate readings.
- Test Wi-Fi and cellular activation if you bought the cellular model.
- Return it if it overheats, shows swelling, will not pair or has unacceptable battery behavior.
How it compares with alternatives
| Option | Why choose it | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch SE (2020) | Lowest used cost for notifications, workouts, safety and Apple integration | No always-on display or ECG/blood oxygen; excluded from watchOS 26; aging batteries |
| Apple Watch SE 2 or newer supported SE | Basic Apple Watch experience with a longer current support runway | Still lacks some premium health and display features |
| Current standard Apple Watch | Always-on display and broader health features, depending on model | Higher purchase price |
| Garmin or Fitbit | Often better battery life or endurance-training analysis | Less complete iPhone calling, Apple Pay and Apple ecosystem integration |
Use Apple’s comparison page to check the exact models offered in your market: Apple Watch comparison. When comparing used prices, add likely battery, charger and band costs. If the total approaches an SE 2, the newer model is usually the more defensible purchase because watchOS 26 support starts there.
Final buying advice
Buy the Apple Watch SE (2020) only as a clearly discounted, inspected used or refurbished watch. It remains fast enough for basic tasks, accurately handles everyday GPS workouts and offers useful safety features, but its missing always-on display and advanced sensors are permanent limitations. Its exclusion from watchOS 26 is the decisive 2026 warning. If battery health is uncertain, the seller cannot remove Activation Lock, or the price is close to an SE 2, skip it and buy the newer supported model.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
