Amazon Prime Day 2023 is in full swing, and if you're in the market for Prime Day Apple Watch deals, now is a great time to find just that. Some of the best smartwatches on the market are being discounted today and Apple is at the top of that list.
Amazon is offering discounts on a variety of different Apple Watch models for Prime Day 2023, but the cheapest options are the Apple Watch Series 8 and the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen). Both smartwatches are available at a considerable discount right now for the standard GPS versions and offer different features. If you're wondering which watch you should buy today, we break down the key differences below.
Specs and Features
The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is Apple's budget smartwatch option and doesn't offer as much as the Series 8 in terms of features. That being said, it's still an Apple Watch and has many of the same features. Both the Apple Watch Series 8 and SE come packing the S8 chip, water resistance, an optical heart sensor, crash detection, and up to 18 hours of battery life. It's only when you dig further into the specs that the differences become apparent.
Some of the biggest differences between the two Apple Watch models are the materials used and the fitness applications. The Series 8 offers a ceramic back case, an always-on retina display, and a larger variety of color options. On the fitness side of things, The Series 8 offers a third-gen optical heart sensor (compared to 2nd gen on the SE), a blood oxygen sensor, an electrical heart sensor, and temperature sensing. Additionally, the Series 8 comes with fast charging that the SE doesn't have.
All in all, the Apple Watch series 8 is the superior smartwatch in terms of features. That being said, the price point is higher because of it.
Prime Day Price Comparison
In terms of price, the clear winner is the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen). For the base 40mm model, a $50 Prime Day discount brings the price under $200. The Apple Watch Series 8 is receiving a healthy discount of $120 off MSRP, which drops the base 41mm model down to just $279. Both of these prices make it a good time to buy an Apple Watch, but if you're looking for the most affordable option, the SE is your best bet.
That being said, the discount on the Apple Watch Series 8 is quite notable. If you're looking for a step up from the budget Apple Watch SE, it's a good time to buy. The cellular versions of each smartwatch are more expensive, with the Apple Watch SE Cellular option coming in at just $249 for Prime Day.
Which Apple Watch Deal Should You Buy?
The answer to his question really comes down to how much you value additional features over price. If you're just in the market for a good Apple Watch that does pretty much everything you need an Apple Watch to do, then the Apple Watch SE is the best possible option for the price. You may be able to find better discounts on renewed versions of the Series 7, but it won't have that new Apple feeling.
If you don't mind spending about $80 more for additional features, then the Apple Watch Series 8 is the way to go. It's especially worth buying if you need access to all of the latest fitness features it provides. It also has the always-on retina display you don't get with the SE.
Finally, if you're looking for the cheapest possible cellular version, then the Apple Watch SE cellular model is the way to go. At just $249, it is still cheaper than the GPS Series 8 version that doesn't come with cellular connectivity.
Other Things to Consider
One of the biggest benefits of Apple Watches from an aesthetic perspective is how customizable they are. If there's a discount on a model with a band you don't like, you can always pick up a different Apple Watch band that suits your style. And if you opt for the always-on display of the Series 8, there are plenty of different Apple Watch faces to choose from that will allow you to personalize the appearance.
Once you've made a purchase, make sure to check out all of the Apple Watch games you can play on your smartwatch. Or see our list of the best Prime Day Apple deals happening now.