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
| Apple Watch SE (44mm) (GPS) | Apple Watch SE (44mm) (Cellular) | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
ABOUT DEVICE | ||
| Device name | Apple Watch SE (44mm) (GPS) | Apple Watch SE (44mm) (Cellular) |
| Device type | Sport/Fitness smartwatch | Standalone/Fitness smartwatch |
| Predessesor | __ | __ |
| Successor | -- | -- |
| Released date | September, 2020 | September, 2020 |
| Ideal for | Unisex | Unisex |
DISPLAY | ||
| Display type | LTPO OLED | LTPO OLED |
| Display size | 1.78 inches (44mm) | 1.78 inches (44mm) |
| Display resolution | 448 x 368 pixels (44mm) | 448 x 368 pixels (44mm) |
| Pixel density | -- | -- |
| Input type | Touchscreen 1 Physical button plus Digital Crown with haptic feedback | Touchscreen 1 Physical button plus Digital Crown with haptic feedback |
| Always-on | No | No |
| Customizable watch face | Yes | Yes |
BODY | ||
| Shape | Rectangular/curved | Rectangular/curved |
| Dimension | 44 x 38 x 10.4 mm | 44 x 38 x 10.4 mm |
| Weight | 36.2 grams | 36.36 grams |
| Casing material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Strap/band material | Solo loop (silicone) Braided loop (Silicone and Polyester) | Solo loop (silicone) Braided loop (Silicone and Polyester) |
| Bezel Material | Ceramics | Ceramics |
| Strap size | 125 - 210mm | 125 - 210mm |
| Interchangeable band | Yes | Yes |
| Screen protection | Ion-X glass | Ion-X glass |
| Water resistant/Protection | Yes, IP68, 5ATM | Yes, IP68, 5ATM |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| Color(s) | Space gray Gold Silver Red Blue | Space gray Gold Silver Red Blue |
MEMORY | ||
| RAM | 1GB | 1GB |
| Internal storage | 32GB | 32GB |
| Memory card slot | No | No |
CONNECTIVITY | ||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v5.0 | Bluetooth v5.0 |
| Bluetooth calling | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Payment system | Apple Pay | Apple Pay |
| GPS | A-GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO/QZSS | A-GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO/QZSS |
CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY | ||
| Technology | No | 2G/3G/4G |
| SIM | No | e-SIM |
| Band | No | __ |
NOTIFICATIONS | ||
| Email alert | Yes | Yes |
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes |
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes |
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Weather | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party apps | Yes | Yes |
| Text response | Yes | Yes |
FITNESS TRACKING | ||
| Sleep apnea | No | No |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Steps | Yes | Yes |
| Floors climbed | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Calories | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | Yes | Yes |
| Stress | Yes | Yes |
| VO2 Max. | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen | No | No |
| Blood pressure | No | No |
| Menstrual cycle tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Swim tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Under-water heart rate tracking | __ | __ |
| Preloaded maps | No | No |
| On-screen workout modes | No | No |
| Triathlon mode | Yes | Yes |
| ECG Tracking | No | No |
| Preloaded sport modes | Yes | Yes |
| Safety tracking | Yes | Yes |
MEDIA | ||
| Audio | mp3/mp4 | mp3/mp4 |
| Music streaming | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth music | Yes | Yes |
| Radio | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | No | No |
SENSORS | ||
PLATFORM | ||
| Operating system (OS) | WatchOS 7 | WatchOS 7 |
| Chipset | Apple S5, 64bit | Apple S5, 64bit |
| CPU | Dual core | Dual core |
| GPU | PowerVR | PowerVR |
BATTERY | ||
| Type of battery | Non-removable Li-ion battery | Non-removable Li-ion battery |
| Battery capacity | -- | -- |
| Battery life | Mixed usage: 18 hrs | Mixed usage: 18 hrs |
| Charging type | Magnetic charging | Magnetic charging |
| Charging time | About 1-2 hours | About 1-2 hours |
| Battery saver mode | Yes | Yes |
| Solar power | No | No |
| Rapid charging | No | No |
CLOCK FEATURES | ||
| Time/Date | Yes | Yes |
| Stopwatch | Yes | Yes |
| Alarm | Yes | Yes |
OTHER FUNCTIONS | ||
| Control camera | Yes | Yes |
| Music control | Yes | Yes |
| Find phone | Yes | Yes |
MISC | ||
| Compatibility | iPhone 5s+ iOS 12+ | iPhone 5s+ iOS 12+ |
| Companion app | Apple watch APP | Apple watch APP |
| Voice command | Yes | Yes |
BOX CONTENTS | ||
| Apple Watch SE (44mm) | Apple Watch SE (44mm) | |
| Straps | Straps | |
| Magnetic charging cable + USB adapter | Magnetic charging cable + USB adapter | |
| Quick start guide | Quick start guide | |
| NOTE: We can't guarantee that all the information on this table are 100% correct. Read full disclaimer. Please, report an error. | ||
| Official Site | Official Site | |
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
| FEATURES | Apple Watch SE (GPS) | Apple Watch SE (Cellular) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 1.78 inches Brighter than Series 3 | 1.78 inches Brighter than Series 3 |
| Share Watch Faces | Yes | Yes |
| Add Widget to Watch Face | Yes | Yes |
| Always-On Display | No | No |
| Materials | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Storage | 32GB | 32GB |
| Memoji App Allows you to send emojis as sticker in messages or use it as your watch face. | Yes | Yes |
| Family Setup Allows family members who don't own an iPhone to still enjoy all the features of an Apple Watch by adding and assigning numbers to different Apple Watches which can be managed from a single iPhone. | No | Yes (Cellular) |
| Smart Money With Apple Cash | Yes | Yes |
| Find my App A feature that lets you know the location of family members. | No | Yes (Cellular) |
| Cycling Maps A feature that guides cyclists by showing direction, suggesting lanes, and more. | Yes | Yes |
| Hearing Protection Alerts you when you have reached the maximum recommended listening dose for the week, and also allows you to set maximum volume for your headphone. | Yes | Yes |
| Handwashing App Guides you to wash your hand for up to 20 seconds recommended by WHO. Also reminds you to wash your hands when you get home. | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Incidental Fall Detection | No | Yes (Cellular) |
| International Emergency Calling Allow you to call emergency contacts almost anywhere in the world. | No | Yes (Cellular) |
| Blood Oxygen Tracking Monitors your blood oxygen to determine how well your blood absorbs oxygen. | No | No |
| ECG tracking Allows you to take an electrocardiogram test on your wrist that's capable of detecting irregular heart rhythm and can help you prevent atrial fibrillations. | No | No |
| Fitness+ Apple introduces a fitness service that features workout plans and coaching from professionals around the world. $9.99/month after the first 3 months. | Yes | Yes |
| Processor | S5 chip dual-core processor and W3 wireless chip 2x faster than S3 | S5 chip dual-core processor and W3 wireless chip 2x faster than S3 |
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.
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Hi! I’m Jude, the chief editor at Smartwatchseries.com
I’m a graduate of biochemistry, a 3D artist and a passionate fitness enthusiast. On here, I and other smartwatch fans work hard to help you find the right smartwatch for you with our guides, reviews, and comparisons.
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