When Tim Cook stepped onto the virtual stage for Apple’s "Time Flies" event in September 2020, the world was in a weird place. We were all stuck at home, obsessively washing our hands, and looking for ways to track our health without spending a fortune. That’s when it happened. The Apple Watch SE 1 release date was officially set for September 18, 2020.
It was a pivot. For years, if you wanted an Apple Watch, you either bought the brand-new expensive one or the ancient "budget" model that felt like it was running on a hamster wheel. The SE changed that. It was basically a "Greatest Hits" album of Apple tech, shoved into a case that didn't cost a mortgage payment.
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The Day Everything Changed: Apple Watch SE 1 Release Date Details
The announcement came on September 15, 2020. Pre-orders opened immediately, and by September 18, the first units were hitting wrists. Honestly, the timing was perfect. Apple knew people wanted the larger screen and the fall detection, but they didn't necessarily need the blood oxygen sensor or the ECG tech that debuted with the Series 6 on that same day.
Pricing was the real kicker.
The 40mm GPS model started at $279.
The 44mm was $309.
If you wanted cellular (the one that lets you leave your phone at home while you run), it was only an extra fifty bucks.
Think about that. You were getting the S5 chip—the same one from the previous year’s flagship Series 5—for a fraction of the cost. It felt like a steal. Still kinda does when you look at the secondary market today.
What Was Actually in the Box?
You’ve probably forgotten, but this was right when Apple started their "green" initiative. They stopped including the USB power adapter. You got the watch, the band, and the magnetic charging cable. That was it. At first, it was a USB-A cable, but by late 2021, Apple quietly swapped it for a USB-C version in newer shipments, even though the SE 1 didn't actually support fast charging. Life is full of little ironies like that.
Why the SE 1 Was a Weird Frankenstein Device
It’s easy to call it a "budget" watch, but that’s not quite right. It was a hybrid.
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Apple took the design and the screen from the Series 4, 5, and 6—meaning those lovely thin bezels—and the processor from the Series 5. But then they stripped out the Always-On Display. That was the big trade-off. To get that $279 price point, you had to be okay with your watch face going black when you weren't looking at it.
Some people hated that. Others? They didn't care. They just wanted a watch that didn't look like a chunky Series 3 postage stamp.
Performance and the S5 Chip
The S5 SiP (System in Package) was a beast for its time. It was two times faster than the Series 3. Apps opened instantly. Siri actually listened. It also had the always-on altimeter, which was a big deal for hikers because it tracked elevation in real-time using a more power-efficient barometer.
Comparing the Launch: SE 1 vs. Series 6
If you were standing in an Apple Store in late 2020, you had a tough choice. Do you get the SE or the Series 6?
The Series 6 had the Blood Oxygen sensor. It had the ECG. It had the U1 Ultra Wideband chip for precise location tracking. And it had the Always-On Display. But it started at $399.
Was an Always-On screen worth an extra $120? For a lot of us, the answer was a hard "no." The SE 1 gave you the Fall Detection, the Emergency SOS, and the Noise app (to make sure you aren't blowing out your eardrums at a concert) without the premium "pro" tax. It was the "People’s Watch."
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The Sad Reality of Software Support
Nothing lasts forever, especially in tech.
The Apple Watch SE 1 had a solid run. It was discontinued on September 7, 2022, when the second-generation SE (the one with the S8 chip) took its place. But the real gut punch came in 2024.
When watchOS 11 was announced, the SE 1 was left off the list.
Basically, if you bought an SE 1 in 2020, you got four years of major software updates. If you were one of the unlucky folks who bought it right before it was discontinued in 2022, you only got two. That's a bitter pill to swallow. Experts like those over at MacRumors and 9to5Mac have often noted that the entry-level watches tend to have shorter lifespans because they use "last year's" chips from day one.
Current Status in 2026
Since we are now in 2026, the SE 1 is officially a legacy device. It still works for basic fitness tracking and notifications on watchOS 10, but it won't get any of the fancy new AI features or UI overhauls found in the newer OS versions. It's essentially "feature-locked."
Misconceptions You Should Stop Believing
I hear this all the time: "The SE 1 is just a rebranded Series 3."
Wrong. The Series 3 had a 38mm/42mm case with huge "forehead and chin" bezels. The SE 1 had the 40mm/44mm case with the modern, rounded screen. The Series 3 couldn't do Fall Detection. The SE 1 could. It's like comparing a flip phone to an iPhone 8; they aren't even in the same league.
Another one? "The battery life is worse because it's cheaper."
Actually, because the SE 1 doesn't have an Always-On Display, many users found the battery lasted longer than the Series 5 or 6 in real-world use. It didn't have to power those pixels all day. 18 hours was the "official" rating, but most people could squeeze 24 to 30 hours out of it if they weren't doing 4-hour GPS workouts.
Actionable Insights for Owners and Buyers
If you’re still rocking an SE 1 or thinking about picking one up used, here is the ground truth:
- Check the Battery Health: If your "Maximum Capacity" is below 80%, the watch is going to start stuttering. Apple offers battery replacements, but for an SE 1, it might be cheaper to just upgrade to a newer model.
- Don't Buy "New" Old Stock: You might see "Brand New" SE 1s on eBay or at random liquidators. Don't do it. The battery has likely degraded just sitting in the box for five years.
- Security Matters: Even though it doesn't get watchOS 11 or 12, Apple usually pushes "point" updates (like 10.x.x) for security vulnerabilities. Keep your software updated to the latest version available to keep your data safe.
- Resale Value: Honestly? It’s worth about $50-$70 today. It’s better used as a "hand-me-down" for a kid or a secondary watch for sleep tracking than something you'd try to sell for profit.
The Apple Watch SE 1 release date marked the moment Apple finally admitted that not everyone needs a $400 health clinic on their wrist. It was a great device then, and it remains a significant milestone in how we wear our tech today. If you're looking for the next step, look toward the SE 3 or a refurbished Series 9 to ensure you're getting the latest software support for the next few years.