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AppleInsider reported the 40mm SE 2 offer at $189 on December 12, 2024, and separately listed a 44mm SE 2 at $219. Check current listings directly before buying: price, availability, configuration, seller, and condition can differ.
The holiday deals reported in December 2024
The $189 figure refers to a historical deal, not a current price. AppleInsider’s December 12, 2024 report listed the 40mm Apple Watch SE 2 at $189, $60 off, and a 44mm SE 2 at $219. MacRumors also reported a 40mm GPS SE at $189 in its November 6, 2024 Black Friday roundup.
| Model or offer | Historical reported price | Source and context |
|---|---|---|
| 40mm Apple Watch SE 2 | $189 | AppleInsider, December 12, 2024; reported as $60 off |
| 44mm Apple Watch SE 2 | $219 | AppleInsider, December 12, 2024 |
| 40mm Apple Watch SE | $189 | MacRumors, November 6, 2024 Black Friday roundup |
These reports establish historical prices only. They do not establish that any of these offers, coupons, or models are currently available at those prices.
#1 Best Overall
![Apple Watch Series 8 [GPS + Cellular, 45mm] - Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band, M/L (Renewed)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41aSKpvnsFL._SL160_.jpg)
- WHY APPLE WATCH SERIES 8 — Your essential companion for a healthy life is now even more powerful. Advanced sensors provide insights to help you better understand your health. New safety features can get you help when you need it. The bright, Always-On Retina display is easy to read, even when your wrist is down.
- CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY — Send a text, make a call, and stream music without your iPhone, even while traveling internationally. Use Family Setup to manage Apple Watch for family members who don’t have an iPhone.
- EASILY CUSTOMIZABLE — Available in a range of sizes and materials, with dozens of bands to choose from and watch faces with complications tailored to whatever you’re into.
- INNOVATIVE SAFETY FEATURES — Crash Detection and Fall Detection can automatically connect you with emergency services in the event of a severe car crash or a hard fall. And Emergency SOS provides urgent assistance with the press of a button.
- ADVANCED HEALTH FEATURES — Temperature sensing is a breakthrough feature that provides deep insights into women’s health. Keep an eye on your blood oxygen. Take an ECG anytime. Get notifications if you have an irregular rhythm. And see how much time you spent in REM, Core, or Deep sleep with Sleep Stages.
What Apple Watch is current now?
Apple’s U.S. shop lists these current starting prices. They are official starting prices, not a promise of a retailer sale price or current stock.
| Current Apple Watch family | Apple U.S. listed starting price | How it relates to the 2024 deal |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch SE 3 | $249 | Current least expensive SE generation listed by Apple; newer than the SE 2 in the historical deal |
| Apple Watch Series 12 | $399 | Current Series family |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | $700 | Current Ultra family |
| Apple Watch Hermès Series 12 | $900 | Current Hermès Series listing |
| Apple Watch Hermès Ultra 4 | $950 | Current Hermès Ultra listing |
Apple is the source for these 2026 U.S. starting prices. The $189 figure comes from AppleInsider and MacRumors reporting in 2024. Do not compare the historical SE 2 deal with the SE 3 as if they were the same generation, or assume Apple’s listed price is a current retailer deal.
Some features depend on the specific model, software, iPhone, language, and region. Apple’s Series 12 announcement notes feature requirements and says the Vitals app is for wellness, not medical use. Check Apple’s current product information for the model and region you are considering rather than assuming every Apple Watch supports the same features.
Could the $189 price still appear?
An older model may be discounted again, but the research available for this article does not verify a live $189 SE 2 listing, retailer stock, coupon, or discount. Check the seller’s current listing and checkout price before relying on a search result or an archived deal report.
Rank #2
![Apple Watch Series 8 [GPS, 45mm] Silver Aluminum Case with White Sport Band, M/L (Renewed)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31JdazwLVlL._SL160_.jpg)
- WHY APPLE WATCH SERIES 8 — Your essential companion for a healthy life is now even more powerful. Advanced sensors provide insights to help you better understand your health. New safety features can get you help when you need it. The bright, Always-On Retina display is easy to read, even when your wrist is down.
- EASILY CUSTOMIZABLE — Available in a range of sizes and materials, with dozens of bands to choose from and watch faces with complications tailored to whatever you’re into.
- INNOVATIVE SAFETY FEATURES — Crash Detection and Fall Detection can automatically connect you with emergency services in the event of a severe car crash or a hard fall. And Emergency SOS provides urgent assistance with the press of a button.
- ADVANCED HEALTH FEATURES — Temperature sensing is a breakthrough feature that provides deep insights into women’s health. Keep an eye on your blood oxygen. Take an ECG anytime. Get notifications if you have an irregular rhythm. And see how much time you spent in REM, Core, or Deep sleep with Sleep Stages.
- SIMPLY COMPATIBLE — It works seamlessly with your Apple devices and services. Unlock your Mac automatically. Find your devices with a tap. Pay and send money with Apple Pay. Apple Watch requires an iPhone 8 or later with the latest iOS version.
Apple’s shop also links to trade-in, certified refurbished products with a one-year warranty, Apple Card installments, and education pricing. Eligibility, terms, and actual savings vary, so review Apple’s details before treating any of these as a discount that applies to you.
If you find an SE 2 listing, compare it with the current SE 3 starting price and verify the model, case size, GPS or cellular configuration, condition, seller, warranty, and return terms. A refurbished or used listing is not equivalent to a new watch.
SE 2 versus the current SE 3
| Consideration | Apple Watch SE 2 | Apple Watch SE 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Role in this deal story | Earlier-generation model behind the historical $189 offer | Current least expensive SE generation listed by Apple |
| Price evidence | $189 historical offer reported by AppleInsider and MacRumors in 2024 | $249 starting price listed by Apple in 2026 |
| Current deal status | No current $189 offer verified | Apple’s listed starting price is not a verified retailer sale |
| What to verify | Exact generation, case size, connectivity, condition, seller, warranty, and returns | Exact configuration, live price, seller, and any applicable offer terms |
The SE 3 is the direct current comparison for a buyer considering Apple’s entry-level line, but a starting price does not establish which watch offers better value for a particular buyer. Compare the actual configuration and live price, plus condition and protections for any older or refurbished SE 2.
Checks to make before buying
1. Confirm the generation and case size
The $189 historical deal was reported for a 40mm SE 2; AppleInsider separately listed a 44mm SE 2 at $219. Confirm the exact generation and case size in the listing rather than relying on a headline or search-result description.
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![Apple Watch Series 8 [GPS, 41mm] - Silver Aluminum Case with White Sport Band - S/M (Renewed)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31k1ER+038L._SL160_.jpg)
- Temperature Sensing Technology: Advanced sensors provide temperature insights and support health tracking features.
2. Check GPS versus GPS + Cellular
Verify whether a listing is GPS or GPS + Cellular. Connectivity affects what the watch can do away from its paired iPhone, and cellular use may require a compatible carrier plan. Check the exact model details and carrier terms before buying.
3. Inspect the seller and condition
For a marketplace or refurbished listing, check whether the watch is new, used, or refurbished; who sells it; what warranty applies; and what the return terms are. Do not compare a refurbished or used watch directly with a new listing without accounting for those differences.
4. Read the deal mechanics
A displayed price may depend on a coupon, trade-in, financing, or eligibility requirement. Confirm the terms and final checkout price. The historical deal reports do not establish that any coupon or promotion is still active.
5. Confirm compatibility and feature requirements
Check Apple’s current compatibility information for the specific watch and iPhone you plan to use. Features may require a particular model, software version, iPhone, language, or region; do not assume a feature is available on every Apple Watch or in every location.
Rank #4
![Apple Watch Series 8 [GPS, 41mm] - Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band, S/M (Renewed)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31ADLYA39JL._SL160_.jpg)
- WHY Apple WATCH SERIES 8 Your essential companion for a healthy life is now even more powerful. Advanced sensors provide insights to help you better understand your health. New safety features can get you help when you need it. The bright, Always-On Retina display is easy to read, even when your wrist is down.
- EASILY CUSTOMIZABLE Available in a range of sizes and materials, with dozens of bands to choose from and watch faces with complications tailored to whatever you’re into.
- INNOVATIVE SAFETY FEATURES Crash Detection and Fall Detection can automatically connect you with emergency services in the event of a severe car crash or a hard fall. And Emergency SOS provides urgent assistance with the press of a button.
- ADVANCED HEALTH FEATURES Temperature sensing is a breakthrough feature that provides deep insights into women’s health. Keep an eye on your blood oxygen. Take an ECG anytime. Get notifications if you have an irregular rhythm. And see how much time you spent in REM, Core, or Deep sleep with Sleep Stages.
- SIMPLY COMPATIBLE It works seamlessly with your Apple devices and services. Unlock your Mac automatically. Find your devices with a tap. Pay and send money with Apple Pay. Apple Watch requires an iPhone 8 or later with the iOS version.
Where to check for a current price
Apple: Apple’s U.S. shop is the source for the current lineup and listed starting prices in this article. Apple also provides information about trade-in and certified refurbished options; review the terms and eligibility before estimating savings.
Retailers: The historical reports named retailer offers in 2024, but that does not establish current prices or stock. Check the live listing and checkout price at any retailer you are considering, including seller, condition, configuration, and return and warranty terms.
What not to assume from the old headline
- The Apple Watch SE 2 is not confirmed to be $189 now.
- The $189 report referred to an earlier-generation SE, not the current SE 3.
- Apple’s current starting prices are not verified retailer sale prices.
- A historical coupon or promotion is not assumed to remain active.
- A listing is not automatically new, in stock, sold by the retailer, or covered by a particular warranty.
For a current purchase, compare the live checkout price and exact configuration with Apple’s listed starting price for the SE 3, Series 12, or Ultra 4. If considering an older SE 2, weigh its condition and seller protections against the current model rather than relying on the archived $189 price.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Was the $189 Apple Watch deal a December 2024 holiday price?
Yes. AppleInsider reported a 40mm Apple Watch SE 2 at $189 on December 12, 2024, and MacRumors also reported a 40mm SE at $189 in its November 2024 Black Friday roundup. Those are historical reports, not confirmation of a current offer.
Best Value
![Apple Watch Series 8 [GPS, 41mm] - Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band, M/L (Renewed)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41v7923IMkL._SL160_.jpg)
- WHY Apple WATCH SERIES 8 — Your essential companion for a healthy life is now even more powerful. Advanced sensors provide insights to help you better understand your health. New safety features can get you help when you need it. The bright, Always-On Retina display is easy to read, even when your wrist is down.
- EASILY CUSTOMIZABLE — Available in a range of sizes and materials, with dozens of bands to choose from and watch faces with complications tailored to whatever you’re into.
- INNOVATIVE SAFETY FEATURES — Crash Detection and Fall Detection can automatically connect you with emergency services in the event of a severe car crash or a hard fall. And Emergency SOS provides urgent assistance with the press of a button.
- ADVANCED HEALTH FEATURES — Temperature sensing is a breakthrough feature that provides deep insights into women’s health. Keep an eye on your blood oxygen. Take an ECG anytime. Get notifications if you have an irregular rhythm. And see how much time you spent in REM, Core, or Deep sleep with Sleep Stages.
- SIMPLY COMPATIBLE — It works seamlessly with your Apple devices and services. Unlock your Mac automatically. Find your devices with a tap. Pay and send money with Apple Pay. Apple Watch requires an iPhone 8 or later with the iOS version.
What Apple Watch is current now?
Apple’s U.S. shop lists the SE 3 from $249, Series 12 from $399, and Ultra 4 from $700. These are listed starting prices, not verified live retailer discounts.
Is the $189 Apple Watch deal still available?
The research for this article does not confirm that it is. Check the live listing and final checkout price, including the seller, condition, configuration, and any coupon or eligibility terms.
How should I compare an SE 2 with an SE 3?
First confirm the generation, case size, GPS or cellular configuration, condition, seller, warranty, and return terms. Then compare the actual price with Apple’s current SE 3 starting price of $249.
Does every Apple Watch have the same features?
No. Feature availability can depend on the model, software, iPhone, language, and region. Check Apple’s model-specific information; Apple says the Vitals app is for wellness, not medical use.
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The $189 Apple Watch was a reported December 2024 price for an earlier-generation SE, not a confirmed current deal. Apple’s U.S. shop now lists the SE 3 from $249, Series 12 from $399, and Ultra 4 from $700. Verify live price, configuration, condition, seller, and purchase terms before buying.
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.
