Which Apple Watch is best for your child?
Apple sells a variety of Apple Watch models at different price points, but not all of them are suitable for your child. Since children often aren't careful with wearables, make sure you select the right device to avoid wasting money.
The Apple Watch SE is the best choice for your child
You might want to buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2 because it's the most durable Apple Watch currently available. However, you'd be spending too much money on a wearable device that your child might not take care of properly.
Instead, consider the Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), which is officially priced at $249 (cheaper on e-commerce platforms).
Sure, you'll miss out on the tougher sapphire crystal glass, but if you assume your child will use the Apple Watch roughly, you should buy a hard case with tempered glass to protect the screen.
Why is the Apple Watch SE suitable for kids?
Besides being the cheapest Apple Watch you can buy, making it perfect for a birthday gift, it's also the smallest wearable Apple sells. The Apple Watch Ultra might be durable, but its 49mm size could be too large for your child's wrist. In comparison, the Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) is available in sizes 40mm and 44mm.
The Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) is also the lightest Apple Watch you can buy, weighing only 26.4 grams for the 40mm GPS models and 32.9 grams for the 44mm model. The Apple Watch Ultra is twice as heavy, while the Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) 41mm weighs 31.9 grams. Therefore, the Apple Watch SE will be more comfortable for your child to wear for extended periods.
Lastly, unlike the Apple Watch Ultra, you can buy the Apple Watch SE without cellular connectivity. Assume your child doesn't have their own phone; they don't need cellular connectivity. However, if you opt for the cellular version, you can use Family Setup to allow your child to use the Apple Watch without an iPhone. Remember, you can save money by choosing the GPS-only Apple Watch.
Although the Apple Watch SE lacks the advanced sensors found in the Series 9, like the blood oxygen sensor and the electrical heart sensor for ECG measurements, it still has everything your child needs. Important safety features of the Apple Watch like Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS are not lost when opting for a cheaper Apple Watch.
