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On a tight budget? The OG Apple Watch SE can still be a very smart buy at these huge discounts

Published: Oct 14, 2022, 9:09 AM

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On a tight budget? The OG Apple Watch SE can still be a very smart buy at these huge discounts

Following the long overdue retirement of the ancient Apple Watch Series 3, the entry point to Cupertino's market-leading smartwatch lineup has jumped to $249 last month. While not exactly prohibitive for the masses, the starting price of the hot new Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) can easily be undercut by many of the best budget smartwatches sold by other major brands, especially during events such as the recently concluded Amazon Prime Early Access extravaganza.

But that's where the first-gen Apple Watch SE comes in... even after its own official discontinuation. Yes, the affordable 2020-released device is still available from a number of different US retailers, and if you hurry, you can get one of several different models at a great discount.

Apple Watch SE (40mm)

GPS, Bluetooth, Aluminum Case, Sport Band, Multiple Colors

$80 off (29%)

$199

$279

Buy at Walmart

Apple Watch SE (44mm)

GPS, Bluetooth, Silver Aluminum Case, Silver Sport Band

$100 off (32%)

$209

$309

Buy at BestBuy

Apple Watch SE (40mm)

GPS + Cellular, Silver Aluminum Case, Abyss Blue/Moss Green Sport Loop

$100 off (30%)

$229

$329

Buy at Walmart

Apple Watch SE (44mm)

GPS + Cellular, Space Gray Aluminum Case, Midnight Sport Band

$120 off (33%)

$239

$359

Buy at BestBuy

An entry-level GPS-only 40mm variant, for instance, is currently up for grabs at Walmart for $199 instead of its original list price of $279, while Best Buy is ready to treat folks with larger wrists to a massive $100 markdown on a non-cellular-enabled 44mm unit normally available for $309.

If you need to make and receive voice calls sans an iPhone nearby while keeping your spending to a minimum ahead of the holidays, you'll undoubtedly be glad to see Walmart charging just $229 and Best Buy a measly $239 for 4G LTE-capable Apple Watch SE versions in 40 and 44mm sizes respectively.

These are by far the greatest deals you can make at the time of this writing on an OG Apple Watch SE, and although slightly higher discounts have been offered once or twice before on at least some of these models, their limited availability suggests you might want to hurry and not rely on those record low prices returning... ever again. Obviously, that could happen on Black Friday and/or Cyber Monday next month... or the Apple Watch SE could go out of stock for good in the very near future.

With an admittedly outdated processor under the hood but still-awesome software support, plenty of handy sensors and health monitoring tools, and an undeniably high-quality display in tow, this thing remains an excellent low-cost alternative to the Apple Watch Series 8 for iPhone fans to strongly consider.

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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.