Apple began selling refurbished Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch SE 3 last week in its Certified Refurbished store, all of which debuted alongside the iPhone 17 last September. The GPS version of the 46 mm Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $369, while the Ultra 3 and 40mm SE 3 go for $699 and $209, respectively.
That’s good news if you want the peace of mind that comes when buying directly from Apple. Every refurbished Apple Watch goes through a thorough inspection and cleaning process, ships in new packaging, and comes with the same one-year limited warranty Apple offers with a new device. And they are eligible for AppleCare+ as well.
However, for some models, you can find much better deals elsewhere.
How much do you save with refurbished Apple Watches?
Apple’s refurbished store typically offers a bit of relief from the company’s premium pricing. For budget-conscious buyers, that makes the refurbished store one of the few places to score meaningful discounts on Apple’s newest devices without gambling on the used market.
The arrival of these three Apple Watch models marks an unusually fast turnaround. Less than a year after launch, the latest watches are already getting the Apple-certified second life treatment, complete with fresh batteries, new outer shells and warranty coverage.
The discounts vary by model. Apple Watch Series 11 buyers can save $60 off the 46 mm model’s regular $429 price. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 shaves $100 off the standard $799 price tag.
The sweet deal among the three is the 40 mm GPS version of the Apple Watch SE 3, at $40 off the regular price of $249.
Stock is limited and rotates regularly in the Apple Certified Refurbished store, meaning not every color or configuration will be available at any point. At the time of writing, both Apple Watch Ultra 3 colorways were in stock alongside numerous SE 3 and Series 11 options.
Is this the best deal on refurbished Apple Watches?
As per usual, this isn’t the biggest discount you will find on refurbished Apple gear. And, in fact, Apple’s refurbs cost more than what some third-party retailers charge for new Apple Watch Series 11 devices.
If savings are your priority, Amazon and Best Buy are still your best options. But if you want the peace of mind of buying directly from Apple — with warranty and official documentation — the Apple Refurbished Store is your best bet. Just don’t expect to find the best price or every configuration in stock.
Buy from: Apple Certified Refurbished
Anurag Chawake is a tech-focused writer specializing in smartphones, apps and consumer technology. His interest in computers began during the Windows 98 era, eventually leading him to explore everything from operating systems to mobile devices and PC hardware. Anurag previously contributed to The Indian Express, covering Apple, Android, gaming and the broader technology landscape.
