The Best Starter Apple Watch for Most People Is 30% Off

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If you've been thinking about getting an Apple Watch, but can't justify paying a higher price for features you'll never use, you should consider getting an older model at a discount. I'm not suggesting you buy a watch that's no longer supported with software updates, of course; rather, something that can run watchOS 26, as well as the features you actually need in a smartwatch. If that sounds like you, my recommendation would be the Apple Watch SE 2. 

Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS, 40mm]

The best starter Apple Watch.

$199.00 at Amazon

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Get Deal

$199.00 at Amazon

During Amazon's October Prime Day sale, the 44mm Apple Watch SE 2 is down to $200 for some variants, which is 30% off its usual price. This isn't the lowest ever price for this product, as it was very briefly available for $170 in June, but this deal matches the lowest price seen in the July Prime Day sale, and I think it's still a great value at this price. 

The Apple Watch SE 2 can track running, swimming, cycling, and many other types of workouts. It also comes with Fall Detection, which can alert loved ones and emergency services in the event you fall and become unresponsive. It's also worth noting this product, like most Apple Watches, is available in two screen sizes: 40mm and 44mm. The Apple Watch SE 2 40mm is also on sale at $179 (28% off) during Prime Day, if you're interested in a smaller watch. This isn't quite as good of a deal as the 44mm watch, respectively, as the 40mm model regularly drops to $170. But it's still $70 cheaper than the 40mm SE 3, so you'll be saving quite a bit.

Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS, 40mm]

$179.00 at Amazon

$249.00 Save $70.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$179.00 at Amazon

$249.00 Save $70.00

This pricing makes the Apple Watch SE 2 a great starter smartwatch for iPhone users, as long as you're okay skipping the newest features on the SE 3. This watch adds a more crack-resistant glass on the display, sleep apnea notifications, wrist temperature readings, support for 5G connectivity (cellular models only), wrist flick gestures, on-device Siri, and support for fast charging. These features might be worth the extra cost for some ($250 for the 40mm model and $280 for the 44mm model) but if you're looking for a smartwatch that can handle the basics, you can save the extra cash with the SE 2.

Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have Prime Day competition sales that are especially useful if you don’t have Amazon Prime.

• Walmart’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET through Oct. 12 and includes deals up to 50% off. It’s an especially good option if you have Walmart+.

• Best Buy’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Sept. 27 through Oct. 12, and has some of the best tech sales online. It’s an especially good option if you’re a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member.

• Target’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, and it has deals going up to 50% off. You can become a Circle member for free.

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