Buy the Apple Watch SE 3

What's missing from the Apple Watch SE 3?

Four things, and it’s good to know them before you order: the ECG app and the electrical heart sensor, blood oxygen monitoring, hypertension alerts, and about half the screen’s peak brightness. On top of that, the battery lasts 18 hours instead of 24, and you can choose from two aluminum colors instead of four colors plus titanium. Everything you use on a daily basis is still included. To see how the SE 3 fits into the rest of the lineup, check out our page on Apple smartwatches.

What’s the same as on the more expensive models

The biggest misconception about the SE 3 is that it’s slower. That’s not true: it uses the same S10 chip as the Apple Watch Series 11, so apps open just as quickly and watchOS feels identical. It also features the always-on display, fast charging (80 percent in less than an hour, according to Apple), and the optional 5G version. Notifications, heart rate monitoring, activity rings, sleep tracking, fall detection, and Apple Pay work exactly the same as on the more expensive models.

The four features that are truly missing

For most people, this is an acceptable trade-off. For those with a family history of heart disease or who want to monitor their blood pressure, it’s a reason to keep saving up.

• ECG app and electrical heart sensor: the SE 3 cannot take an ECG and therefore cannot provide indications of atrial fibrillation.
• Blood oxygen level measurement: completely absent; the Series 11 does have this feature.
• Hypertension alerts: the SE 3 does not detect patterns indicative of high blood pressure.
• Screen brightness: the SE 3 stays at about half the 2,000 nits of the Series 11. It’s harder to read in bright sunlight.

40mm or 44mm: choose based on wrist circumference

The SE 3 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes. The smaller case is less noticeable under a sleeve and is more comfortable to wear at night, which matters if you sleep with the watch on for sleep tracking. The 44mm model displays more text per screen, which is handy if you read messages often or want to check your heart rate while exercising. Measure your wrist and compare it to the watch you’re currently wearing; that works better than relying on photos.

Looking for a gift for a child? Check out the Cellular model

With Family Setup, a child can use their own Apple Watch without needing their own iPhone: a parent manages the watch from their own device. The catch: this only works with a Cellular model (with 5G), plus a separate plan from your carrier. So expect to pay the extra cost of the watch plus monthly fees. If you want to compare cheaper alternatives side by side, check out smartwatches for kids.

What to Expect

The 18-hour battery life is the weakest point: that’s exactly one day, so charging it daily isn’t a choice but a habit you’ll need to get into. If you wear the watch at night, plan to charge it while you’re showering or having dinner. If you’re looking for a watch that can go days or even weeks on a single charge, you’re better off with Garmin. And just like any Apple Watch, the SE 3 works only with an iPhone; if you have an Android device, you’re better off looking at the Samsung Galaxy watches.