The Apple Watch SE has quickly become one of the most popular smartwatches in Apple’s lineup. Known for its combination of affordability and functionality, the SE model appeals to a wide range of users. However, many potential buyers are curious about its health-related features. One of the most commonly asked questions is whether the Apple Watch SE supports blood oxygen monitoring, a feature found in the more premium Apple Watch models like the Series 6 and later.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at blood oxygen monitoring, how it works, and whether the Apple Watch SE can track this important health metric. We’ll also compare it to other models and explain what users can expect from the Apple Watch SE when it comes to health and wellness features.
What is Blood Oxygen Monitoring?
Blood oxygen monitoring refers to the process of measuring the percentage of oxygen in your blood, known as SpO2 (peripheral capillary oxygen saturation). Oxygen is essential for the proper functioning of your body, and blood oxygen levels can offer insight into your overall health, particularly the health of your lungs and heart.
In general, a healthy SpO2 level ranges from 95% to 100%. If your blood oxygen saturation drops below this threshold, it can indicate potential health problems, such as respiratory conditions, heart issues, or even sleep apnea. This is why blood oxygen monitoring has become a popular feature in many fitness trackers and smartwatches, particularly for people who are concerned about their health or have pre-existing conditions.
How Does Blood Oxygen Monitoring Work?
Blood oxygen monitoring on smartwatches is typically done using sensors that emit light into your skin. These sensors use a method called pulse oximetry to detect the amount of oxygen in your blood. The Apple Watch, for example, uses a combination of red and infrared light, which is absorbed differently by oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood. This information is then used to calculate your blood oxygen levels.
Apple Watch SE and Blood Oxygen Monitoring: The Key Question
So, does the Apple Watch SE support blood oxygen monitoring? The simple answer is: no. Unlike the more advanced models such as the Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, or Ultra, the Apple Watch SE does not come with the hardware needed to measure blood oxygen levels. The Series 6 was the first Apple Watch to introduce this feature, and it continues to be available on newer models.
The Apple Watch SE focuses on offering a more affordable alternative to the premium models, so some of the advanced health and wellness features, such as blood oxygen monitoring, are excluded. However, the SE still offers a wide range of health tracking capabilities, such as heart rate monitoring, fall detection, and emergency SOS.
What Health Features Does the Apple Watch SE Offer?
Although the Apple Watch SE doesn’t support blood oxygen monitoring, it does come equipped with several health features that make it an excellent option for many users.
1. Heart Rate Monitoring
The Apple Watch SE features an optical heart rate sensor that can track your heart rate throughout the day. This can be particularly useful for fitness enthusiasts or anyone who wants to monitor their cardiovascular health.
2. Emergency SOS and Fall Detection
Fall detection is an important safety feature, especially for elderly users. The Apple Watch SE uses an accelerometer and gyroscope to detect if you’ve taken a hard fall. If the watch detects a fall, it will send an alert to emergency services and share your location with them.
3. Sleep Tracking
The Apple Watch SE provides sleep tracking, which monitors your sleep patterns. It can track the amount of time you spend in different sleep stages, such as deep sleep and REM sleep.
4. Workout Tracking
For fitness tracking, the SE supports various workout types, including running, cycling, and swimming. It provides real-time metrics on heart rate, calories burned, and duration, allowing users to track their fitness progress.
5. High and Low Heart Rate Notifications
If your heart rate goes above or below a certain threshold while you’re inactive, the watch will notify you. This can be helpful for detecting irregularities in your heart rate early on.
Apple Watch SE vs. Other Models: What’s the Difference in Health Features?
To better understand why the Apple Watch SE doesn’t have blood oxygen monitoring, it’s helpful to compare it with other Apple Watch models that do support this feature.
Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, and Ultra
These models include the ability to measure blood oxygen levels, as well as several other advanced health features like ECG (electrocardiogram) monitoring. The Series 6 was the first Apple Watch to include the SpO2 sensor, and this feature has remained a staple in the newer models.
Apple Watch Series 5 and Earlier
Earlier models, such as the Series 5 and Series 4, did not have blood oxygen monitoring. However, they did offer other health features like heart rate monitoring and ECG (Series 4 and later). These models may still be a good choice for users who don’t need blood oxygen tracking but want other advanced health features.
Apple Watch Ultra
The Apple Watch Ultra is the most advanced model in the lineup and offers the most robust set of health and fitness features. It includes not only blood oxygen monitoring but also more accurate GPS tracking, advanced dive capabilities, and an extra-large display.
Is Blood Oxygen Monitoring Necessary for Everyone?
While blood oxygen monitoring is an important feature for some people, particularly those with respiratory or heart conditions, it’s not necessarily a must-have for everyone. Many users will find the other health and fitness features on the Apple Watch SE to be sufficient for their needs.
For example, if you’re primarily interested in fitness tracking, heart rate monitoring, or fall detection, the Apple Watch SE may be all you need. If, however, you want to closely monitor your blood oxygen levels, especially if you have a medical condition or are an athlete, you may want to consider a model like the Series 6 or Ultra, which offer more advanced health features.
Alternatives for Blood Oxygen Monitoring Without the Apple Watch SE
If you’re set on the Apple Watch SE but still want blood oxygen monitoring, you may want to consider using an external device. There are many standalone pulse oximeters available on the market that can measure your SpO2 levels and sync with your smartphone. These devices are often compact, affordable, and easy to use.
Another option is using apps on your smartphone or fitness trackers that provide blood oxygen readings through other methods, although these might not be as accurate or convenient as having it directly on your wrist.
Conclusion
While the Apple Watch SE is a powerful and affordable smartwatch, it does not support blood oxygen monitoring. This feature is available on more advanced models like the Series 6, 7, 8, and Ultra. However, the SE still offers an impressive array of health features, including heart rate monitoring, fall detection, sleep tracking, and workout tracking, making it a solid choice for many users.
If blood oxygen monitoring is essential to you, you may want to consider one of the more premium Apple Watch models. Otherwise, the Apple Watch SE remains a fantastic option for anyone looking for a reliable, affordable smartwatch with essential health features.