Image: apple
TL;DR: As of Sept. 16, you can pre-order the new Apple Watch Series 6 from Best Buy, Amazon, or Apple starting at $399. The cheaper Series SE, meanwhile, is available for pre-order exclusively at Amazon and the Apple Store starting at $279.
2020 continues to surprise, but this time in a good way.
Apple unveiled not one but two new smartwatches via livestream during its product event Tuesday: the Apple Watch Series 6 and the more affordable Series SE. Both are available for pre-order from the Apple Store and Amazon starting at $399 and $279 (respectively) for a Sept. 18 release, though we recommend shopping around if you’re interested in the Series 6. Here’s the sitch:
Apple Watch Series 6
Image: APple
The Series 6 boasts several new features (compared to 2019’s Series 5 model), including a SpO2 sensor that can monitor your blood oxygen levels and a brighter always-on display with an altimeter, or altitude-tracker. There’s also a snazzy new dual-core processor within its aluminum frame that makes it 20% faster than its predecessor, and faster charging that gets you up to 80% juice in just an hour. (Its battery life still hovers around 18 hours for all-day use.)
Starting at $399 for the GPS version and $499 for one with LTE connectivity, the Series 6 is available for pre-order from Apple, Amazon, and Best Buy. But if we were you, we’d order it from the latter: Best Buy is giving away six whole months of Apple Fitness+ for free with the purchase of an Apple wearable, compared to the three free months you’d get with a preorder directly from Apple. (Amazon doesn’t list any Fitness+ freebies on its product pages, FWIW.)
SHOP: Best Buy | Amazon | Apple
Apple Watch Series SE
Image: Apple
Available in a ton of cool new colors, Apple is its billing the new Series SE smartwatch as a wallet-friendly option that doesn’t skimp too much on specs. Its design is pretty much the same as that of the Series 6, only with a processor from last year and no SpO2 sensor, always-on display, or heart rate monitor. (The always-on altimeter, fall detection, and Emergency SOS are still there, though.)
Pre-order one from Amazon or the Apple Store starting at $279 for GPS only and $329 for cellular connectivity.