The second-generation Apple Watch SE is here and it's redesigned

If the new Apple Watch Series 8 and newly introduced Apple Watch Ultra are just a bit too much for you to spend on a watch, Apple's got you covered.

At Wednesday's Apple event, the Cupertino-based company unveiled the second generation of its most affordable smartwatch line, Apple Watch SE. The latest SE model is not only more powerful than ever before, but it has a refreshed design, too.

The second-generation Apple Watch SE comes in three new colors. Credit: Apple

The second-generation Apple Watch SE borrows from the colors Apple launched for its latest Macbook Air M2 line and comes in silver, midnight, and starlight. The Apple Watch SE is made of 100 percent recycled aluminum and has a new back design made of nylon composite materials. According to Apple, the second-generation Apple Watch SE reduces its carbon footprint by 80 percent.

Feature-wise, Apple says the second-generation Apple Watch SE has all the "core" features of the new Apple Watch Series 8 like high/low heart-rate monitoring, fall detection, and has motion sensors to support crash detection. The SE is swim-proof as well.

The SE is clearly being pushed as the model for families with kids. Credit: Apple

The new SE has a display that is 30 percent larger than that of the Apple Watch Series 3. It's also 20 percent faster with the SiP 8 processor.

During the event, Apple really honed in on the family setup features, which basically allows families to setup the Apple Watch SE to provide kids with emergency phone call features and GPS tracking without the need for them to have their own phone.

The second-generation Apple Watch SE at a glance. Credit: Apple

The second-generation Apple Watch SE hits stores on September 16th with two models: a $249 version that comes with GPS and a $299 version that has GPS and cellular connectivity.