The Apple Watch SE 3 boasts a lengthy list of features new to Apple’s most affordable smartwatch, including an always-on display, temperature sensor, 5G and more. But the price didn’t go up.
“Apple Watch SE offers a great way for users to start their Apple Watch journey, delivering outstanding health, fitness, safety, and connectivity features at an incredible value,” said Stan Ng, Apple’s vice president of Apple Watch and Health Product Marketing. “With even more health features, an Always-On display, and fast charging, we’re excited to see the ways Apple Watch SE 3 supports more people around the world to live a healthier and more active life.”
Apple Watch SE 3: Pro-specs at a bargain
Apple doesn’t introduce new Apple Watch SE models very often. The second-generation version debuted in September 2022 — three years ago. With that model starting to show its age, it’s time for a fresh one.
To keep its new budget wearable up to date, Apple built in an S10 processor. That’s the same chip in the new Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3, also unveiled on Tuesday. Apple promises faster on-device Siri, and a general performance boost. And the S10 enables the double tap and wrist flick gestures that were previously reserved for pricier models.
But what users will really notice in the Apple Watch SE 3 is the new always-on display. This allows users to glance at their Watch to check the time or notifications without the screen needing to activate. And the cover glass is four times more resistant to cracks than the previous generation.
Not everything changed. The screen size options are either 44mm or 40mm, like its predecessor.
The affordable wearable offers optional 5G cellular so music, podcasts, and apps download faster.
The new type of screen and 5G don’t hurt battery life. Apple promises 18 hours on a single charge. And this third-generation model also features fast charging for the first time. It juices up to 2x faster than the previous generation. 15 minutes can add up to eight hours of battery, and the wearable can charge to about 80% in 45 minutes.
New health and fitness features
Apple Watch SE 3 keeps the same health-tracking capabilities of its predecessors, like heart-rate monitoring and fall detection, but adds fresh ones to the list.
Among the new features is a sleep score, which tracks sleep duration, bedtime consistency, how often a person wakes up, and how much time is spent in each sleep stage.
Wrist temperature sensing provides insight into overall wellbeing, but also makes retrospective ovulation estimates possible.
The smartwatch also now offers sleep apnea notifications.
Thanks to watchOS 26, Apple Watch SE 3 features Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence. This uses the wearer’s workout data and fitness history to deliver personalized, spoken motivational comments.
Graphic: Apple
The limitations
The Apple Watch SE 3 is the most affordable watchOS model, and some features must be left out to keep the price down. Heath features Apple Watch Series 11 offers that the cheaper model does not include a blood oxygen sensor, an ECG sensor and hypertension notifications.
The largest SE 3 display tops out at 44mm, while Series 11 goes up to 46mm. And while the SE 3 goes for up to 18 hours on a single charge, Series 11 lasts up to 24 hours.
Apple Watch SE 3 launch price and release date
Price is the most critical feature of the Apple Watch SE series. The third generation version comes in at $249 for the 40mm base model, the same price as its predecessor. The 44mm variant starts at $279.
Apple starts taking pre-orders today, September 9. The smartwatch begins reaching customers on September 19.
Buy it from: Apple
Apple Watch SE 3 offers health, fitness, connectivity, and safety features running on the powerful S10 chip. The smartwatch boasts an Always-On display, the double tap and wrist flick gestures, on-device Siri and fast charging.
- Packed with pro-level features
- Most affordable Apple Watch
- Lacks blood oxygen sensor, ECG sensor
It’s one of many products introduced during Tuesday’s Awe Dropping event, along with Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
