At a look
Skilled’s Score
Execs
- Good worth
- Core options work effectively
- All the time-on display screen
- Quick charging
Cons
- Chunky bezel
- Solely two colors
- Restricted battery life
Our Verdict
In the event you’re okay with particular areas stored easy, the Watch SE 3 is the worth all-rounder in Apple’s smartwatch vary. Many customers received’t discover that the Collection 11 or Extremely 3 are price splashing further on.
Worth When Reviewed
This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined
Finest Pricing At this time
Worth When Reviewed
From $249
Finest Costs At this time: Apple Watch SE 3
Final 12 months was an enormous one for wearables, together with a minimum of three new fashions from Apple. The flagship fashions might need received the limelight, however the SE 3 might be the only option for many iPhone customers. I’ve been testing it for 3 months to see the way it performs in day-to-day life.
In case you didn’t know, the SE mannequin is the finances choice in Apple’s vary, though it’s a tad complicated as a result of the cheaper iPhone has switched from iPhone SE to easily ‘e’.
Particular Version doesn’t actually really feel like the fitting description for a tool like this, however nonetheless, it’s now the most effective worth Apple Watch you will get. Why purchase a Collection 11? Effectively, certainly.
Design & Construct
- Nonetheless seems the identical
- Accessible in two sizes
- Solely two colors
At this level, with Apple seemingly unwilling to revamp the Apple Watch’s long-standing design, there’s not a lot to say in regards to the SE 3 on this space.
It’s, effectively, one other Apple Watch – sq., with a digital crown on the aspect in direction of the highest and a button under that.
Chris Martin / Foundry
This design has been the identical eternally and whereas I nonetheless favor a round smartwatch, loads of folks on the market appear blissful sufficient with the Apple Watch model.
It’s as soon as once more accessible in 40- and 44mm sizes (I’m testing the smaller choice), however Apple has minimize down the colourway choices to only two – Midnight and Starlight, which implies Silver is not on the roster.
The largest improve to the design is the Ion-X glass
The construct stays aluminium fairly than the stainless-steel or titanium of extra premium Apple smartwatches, however this received’t matter to individuals who search worth.
The system is light-weight, comfy and nonetheless feels very effectively made. It’s additionally waterproof to 50m, which Apple calls “swimproof”.
Though the change is invisible, the largest improve to the design is the Ion-X glass, which Apple claims is 4 instances extra sturdy (particularly crack-resistant) than the Watch SE 2. I’ve been carrying the SE 3 for 3 months now and there’s not even the tiniest mark on the glass, although I haven’t dropped it.
Display & Speaker
- Now always-on
- Nonetheless a chunky bezel
- No brighter than earlier than
As talked about above, the SE 3 is available in 40- and 44mm sizes, so the display screen is smaller than the Collection 11 fashions. That is perhaps excellent news in case you have a small wrist. There’s one other optimistic, because it lastly has an always-on display screen.
This was one of many massive issues lacking from the SE collection and it could, like me, have put you off contemplating one. It means you don’t want to lift your wrist or faucet the display screen to wake it up and get the time or see different data.
Thanks, Apple.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Elsewhere, the show is basically the identical, with an OLED panel that ensures popping colors and deep blacks. And it’s nonetheless that iconic 326 pixels per inch decision, aka Retina, which is completely crisp for an inexpensive system.
The bezel continues to be very thick and makes the watch look fairly dated, however that’s simply one of many sacrifices it’s important to settle for with an SE.
The Collection 11 has to look extra premium with its tiny bezel to distinguish, and it additionally has a display screen that’s twice as vivid. Nonetheless, I’ve not had any issues with the SE 3’s show at 1,000 nits – although I’ve been testing it within the winter, not in vivid daylight.
Chris Martin / Foundry
There’s additionally a speaker on the aspect of the system, that means you may take telephone calls or hearken to music and podcasts. I can’t think about wanting to utilize it, however it sounds respectable sufficient if it does attraction to you.
Efficiency & Software program
- S10 chip
- watchOS 26
- New gestures
Regardless of being the most cost effective within the Apple Watch vary, the SE 3 nonetheless makes use of the identical S10 chip discovered within the Collection 11 and Extremely 3.
It’s no shock that efficiency is extraordinarily clean and I’ve not seen even a touch of a blip.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Onto software program then and it’s basically extra of the identical as in years passed by, and that’s high-quality, particularly when you’re used to Apple Watch. In the event you’re coming from one other platform, nonetheless, it could really feel fairly completely different.
The SE 3 comes with watchOS 26, which launched final September. The principle change visually is the introduction of Liquid Glass to match iOS 26. This translucent, glass-like impact divides opinion, however it’s much less seen on a smartwatch.
Good Stack is one place that you need to use Apple’s good pinch gesture
You’ll see it primarily in notifications in addition to Management Centre and Good Stack. I typically overlook Good Stack is there however it’s a traditional space of the software program, displaying you playing cards for climate, photographs and exercise progress.
Good Stack is one place that you need to use Apple’s good pinch gesture (not accessible on the SE 2). Faucet your finger and thumb collectively twice and the watch will magically scroll by the Good Stack.
Wrist Flick is a brand new function which I discover very helpful. Merely flick your wrist away from you and again to carry out duties resembling dismissing a notification, silencing an alarm, or ‘going again’ from a menu or app you’re viewing.
I’d nonetheless favor a round Apple Watch, however the software program expertise is actually cohesive and effectively thought out.
Well being & Health Monitoring
- Strong core monitoring
- Some new options
- Misses out on others like ECG
Up to now, you is perhaps questioning why you’d trouble spending extra on a Collection 11 or Extremely 3 – and also you’d have a degree.
We’ve arrived on the one space wherein the SE 3 has important variations from its stablemates, although. Certain, it may well do all of the core, fundamental stuff you’d count on a smartwatch to do, resembling coronary heart fee monitoring, sleep monitoring (now with a rating) and Apple’s notorious exercise rings.
Chris Martin / Foundry
If options resembling hypertension (hypertension) notifications, ECG, and blood oxygen are must-haves, you’ll must look elsewhere. It additionally lacks a water temperature sensor and depth gauge.
I’ve examined loads of smartwatches with superior sensors like these and so they don’t really feel that essential to me, however they is perhaps for you. The SE 3 does a superbly good job of reporting my exercise, sleep and routinely monitoring exercises with GPS, like taking the canine for a stroll.
It additionally features wrist temperature monitoring, sleep apnea notifications and cycle monitoring with retrospective ovulation estimates.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Battery Life & Charging
- Nonetheless rated 18 hours
- Now has quick charging
- Almost 80% in half-hour in my testing
Regardless of numerous upgrades over the SE 2, battery life is static, with Apple nonetheless score it at 18 hours, or 32 hours in Low Energy Mode. It’s a disgrace and one of many largest downsides to this smartwatch.
It will possibly actually last more than that, and I’ve seen it go 24+ on days of lighter utilization, however I’ve additionally misplaced rely of the variety of instances the wearable has died on me.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Many non-Apple smartwatches can go a number of days longer. For instance, the Huawei Watch Match 4 and CMF Watch 3 Professional can each final greater than per week.
Thankfully, it’s now ‘Quick-charge succesful’, with Apple claiming you may stand up to an 80% cost in round 45 minutes.
I’ve additionally misplaced rely of the variety of instances the wearable has died on me
I bought higher ends in my testing, with the Apple Watch SE 3 reaching 40% in quarter-hour and 78% in half-hour.
Conserving it topped up is straightforward… when you bear in mind to do it earlier than leaving the home.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Worth & Availability
It’s not quite common as of late, however the Apple Watch SE 3 is available in on the identical worth as its predecessor.
Meaning it begins at £219/$249 for the smaller 40mm dimension and £249/$279 for the bigger 44mm. It’s good to add further if you would like 5G mobile knowledge fairly than simply GPS.
You should buy it from Apple in addition to loads of retailers, together with Amazon, Argos, Very, Currys and John Lewis.
Within the US, head to BestBuy, Walmart and Goal.
On the time of writing, the smartwatch is definitely discovered for below £200 within the UK, making it even higher worth.
It places it firmly within the finances smartwatch class, providing wonderful worth for cash, despite the fact that you should buy less expensive rivals in the event that they fit your wants.
Do you have to purchase the Apple Watch SE 3?
For many individuals, the Apple Watch SE 3 is the no-brainer of the present vary of Apple smartwatches.
It’s the most cost effective and ticks all of the bins you seemingly need from a smartwatch. Plus, it’s the one option to get a smaller 40mm dimension. Conversely, you may want one thing larger, in addition to extra selection than simply two colors.
It’s a case of doing the fundamentals effectively, gaining lots on its predecessor, together with an always-on display screen, quick charging, gestures, higher well being insights and a extra highly effective processor.
Specs
- watchOS 26
- 40/44mm aluminium case
- All the time-on OLED display screen, 1000 nits brightness
- S10 chip
- Coronary heart fee monitoring
- Sleep monitoring with rating
- Pores and skin temperature
- Cycle monitoring with retrospective ovulation estimates
- Sleep apnoea notifications
- Automotive crash detection
- GPS + optionally available 5G
- Barometer
- All the time-on altimeter
- Non-compulsory mobile connectivity with worldwide roaming
- 18-hour battery life
- 32-hours with Low Energy mode
- 5ATM water resistance
- Launch colors: Starlight, Midnight