Apple Watch SE 3: In abstract
- Apple’s new, extra reasonably priced smartwatch
- Launched on 9 September, releasing on 19 September
- Identical £219/$249 beginning value as its predecessor
- Upgrades embrace new chipset, always-on show and higher battery life
Apple has launched its new vary of smartwatches for 2025, and there’s loads to speak about.
Nonetheless, with the high-end Apple Watch Extremely 3 and common Apple Watch Collection 11 now official, it’s simple to miss the most affordable mannequin within the lineup.
However accomplish that at your peril. The Apple Watch SE 3 introduces a number of helpful upgrades, but maintains an impressively reasonably priced price ticket. Right here’s all the pieces you have to know in regards to the latest version to Apple’s SE smartwatch lineup.
Apple Watch SE 3: Key Upgrades
In abstract
- New Apple S10 chip
- 24-hour battery life based on Apple
- At all times-on show
- A number of new well being metrics
- watchOS 26 out of the field
New S10 chipset
Not like earlier fashions, the brand new SE will get the very same chipset as its extra premium siblings – the Collection 11 and Extremely 3.
The Apple S10 chip appears set to be a major improve in comparison with the S8 discovered within the 2022 Apple Watch SE.
However flagship-level efficiency isn’t the one factor that the brand new chipset allows…
New well being metrics
Because of the S10 chip and a brand new temperature sensor, the Watch SE 3 is able to a number of well being metrics that have been beforehand unique to the extra premium fashions.
Amongst them are suspected sleep apnea detection, on-device Siri, ovulation estimates and gestures together with double-tap and wrist flick.
Nonetheless, it nonetheless misses out on the devoted ECG sensor, blood oxygen monitoring and hypertension notifications which are all obtainable on the Collection 11 and Extremely 3.
Apple
Higher battery life and quicker charging
Apple by no means formally discloses battery life for its gadgets, so we don’t know for positive how large the SE 3’s cell is. Nonetheless, the corporate is now claiming 24 hours of battery life on a single cost, up from 18 hours on the earlier mannequin.
It additionally says that the Watch SE 3 prices “as much as 2x quicker than the earlier era”. 45 minutes plugged in will supposedly get you to 80%, whereas a fast 15-minute top-up will allow sufficient cost for eight hours of utilization.
Apple
Different {hardware} enhancements
The opposite large change price mentioning is the always-on show, bringing the SE 3 in keeping with Apple’s extra premium smartwatches.
The watch additionally now helps 5G and permits you to use the built-in speaker for media playback, each of which have been absent on the SE 2.
watchOS 26
The Watch SE 3 runs watchOS 26 out of the field. Apple’s new working system for its smartwatches consists of its new ‘Liquid Glass’ design, plus new options together with further widget customisation, a featured pictures shuffle and a devoted model of the corporate’s Notes app.
Apple
When is the Apple Watch SE 3 launch date?
In abstract
- Introduced on 9 September
- Releases on 19 September
- Pre-orders dwell now
The Watch SE 3 launched at Apple’s large “Awe-Dropping” occasion on 9 September 2025, which was headlined by the iPhone 17 vary.
Pre-orders for the watch are dwell now, forward of it being launched on 19 September.
Right here’s when the earlier Watch SE fashions made their debuts. As you’ll be able to see, a 3rd era was overdue.
Apple
How a lot does the Apple Watch SE 3 price?
In abstract
- Begins at £219/$249 for 40mm case – similar as predecessor
- 44mm from £249/$279
- Mobile fashions from £289/$299 (40mm) or £319/$329 (44mm)
Regardless of the upgrades on the Watch SE 3, Apple has saved pricing similar to its predecessor from three years in the past. Right here’s how a lot you’ll be able to count on to pay at launch:
- GPS, 40 mm – £219/$249
- GPS + Mobile, 40mm – £249/$279
- GPS, 44mm – £289/$299
- GPS + Mobile, 44mm – £319/$329
And right here’s how they evaluate to earlier generations:
Apple Watch SE (2nd gen)
- GPS, 40 mm – £219/$249
- GPS + Mobile, 40mm – £289/$279
- GPS, 44mm – £289/$299
- GPS + Mobile, 44mm – £319/$329
Apple Watch SE (1st gen)
- GPS, 40mm – £269/$279
- GPS + Mobile, 40mm – £319/$329
- GPS, 44mm – £299/$309
- GPS + Mobile, 44mm – £349/$359
For context, the Apple Watch Collection 11 begins at £369/$399, whereas the Watch Extremely 3 will set you again not less than £749/$799.
See extra alternate options in our full information to the most effective smartwatches you should buy. Nonetheless, word that this doesn’t but embrace the Pixel Watch 4, because it isn’t launched till 9 October.