The Apple Watch SE 3 is reasonable, but it surely would not skimp out on what issues

Since its launch a couple of years in the past, the Apple Watch SE has been Apple’s almost-good-enough entry-level smartwatch aimed squarely on the common iPhone person. It encompasses a design much like the Sequence line, however bigger bezels and a smaller show, together with key well being options like a coronary heart price monitor, leading to a strong, all-around smartwatch bundle.

There’s at all times been one key shortcoming, although — it hasn’t featured an always-on display screen. At the very least not till now.

When the Apple Watch Sequence 5 launched again in 2019, the addition of an always-on show was a real game-changer. In a short time, the Apple Watch went from a nice-to-have gadget, to at least one that I really missed once I wasn’t sporting it. Whether or not it is checking the time, the climate, or glancing at a notification, the truth that the display screen was always-on made the Sequence 5 extra dependable and, in flip, simpler to make use of (earlier Apple Watches’ raise-to-wake performance did not work reliably, regardless of Apple’s claims). Quick-forward to the Apple Watch Series 11 in 2025, and I can not bear in mind what it was like to make use of an Apple Watch with out an always-on show.

This has at all times been the Apple Watch SE’s key difficulty. Lacking options like further well being sensors and a barely sleeker design aren’t dealbreakers for most individuals, however the lack of an always-on display screen was a significant shortcoming. Fortunately, with the Apple Watch SE 3, Apple has lastly introduced its always-on display screen to the wearable, in flip, making it the last word $250 smartwatch.

4.5/5

Model

Apple

Materials

Aluminum

Measurement

44mm, 40mm

Sleep Monitoring

Sure

Professionals & Cons

• All the time-on show
• Strong characteristic set for entry-level
• Nice value

• Not as many well being options as Sequence 11
• Display has sizable bezels
• Thicker and heavier than Sequence 11

So what is the Apple Watch SE 3 truly lacking now?

The Apple Watch Sequence 11 and Extremely 3 are designed for extra area of interest customers

First off, probably the most notable improve with the Apple Watch SE 3 is the brand new always-on show. This implies you’ll be able to see the time, problems, exercises, and no matter you’ve got on the wearable’s watch face, all with out waking it up. This would possibly seem to be a minor characteristic addition, however belief me, it is a game-changer for rapidly accessing info at a look. That stated, there isn’t any at all times seen second hand, like with the Apple Watch Sequence 11 and Extremely 3 (nonetheless, it does seem if you faucet the display screen or raise your wrist). I just like the added aptitude the second hand provides the higher-end Apple Watch’s, but it surely’s removed from a must have characteristic.

The Apple Watch SE 3’s display screen continues to be the identical dimension because the SE 2’s, although. This implies its bezels are a bit bulkier than the Sequence 11’s. Nonetheless, since I exploit darkish Watch Faces more often than not, I’ve discovered I do not discover a lot of a distinction between the SE 3’s and the Sequence 11’s show.

To drive this level residence, this is an anecdote; someday, I absentmindedly grabbed my Apple Watch SE 3 from my nightstand pondering it was the Sequence 11, and did not notice it was truly the lower-end smartwatch for a number of hours — and even then, it wasn’t the show that gave it away. As a substitute, it was its dimension and weight, because the Apple Watch SE 3 is a bit thicker and heavier than the Sequence 11.

It is price noting that the Apple Watch SE 3’s show is not as vibrant because the Sequence 11 (2,000 nits) or Extremely 3’s (3,000 nits) display screen, coming in at simply 1,000 nits. Whereas an apparent downgrade, I solely actually discovered the show troublesome to view beneath actually vibrant direct daylight.

There are different additions this 12 months, too, together with the double-tap and wrist-flick gestures that have been beforehand out there solely on the Sequence and Extremely smartwatches. I discovered a technique to comfortably combine these gestures into my day-to-day life, however they are a welcome addition to the Apple Watch SE 3’s characteristic set.

Different additions embody Sleep Apnea notifications, alongside the identical Sleep Monitoring options the SE 2 featured, and the power to test pores and skin temperature for cycle monitoring and ovulation estimates. Whereas the Apple Watch SE 3 is not as fitness-focused because the Sequence 11 or Extremely 3, these are strong new options that add further worth to the Apple Watch SE 3.

On the {hardware} aspect, the Apple Watch SE 3 will get a bump as much as the S10 chip from the S8, alongside the W3 chip that was featured within the Apple Watch SE 2. This is identical processor featured within the Apple Watch Sequence 11 and Extremely 3, and it delivers simply as easy efficiency with Apple’s entry-level wearable. It is shocking the tech big did not use a lower-end chip within the Apple Watch SE 3, however I am glad it did not. The result’s an inexpensive smartwatch that feels far snappier than I anticipated.

Concerning storage, the Apple Watch SE 3 now gives 64GB of inside storage, up from the SE 2’s 32GB. Since I add a number of songs from Spotify for offline listening whereas working, I’ve discovered the storage improve helpful.

Apart from the always-on show, not a lot else is new this 12 months

Battery life would not handle to hit 24 hours, but it surely’s most likely sufficient for most individuals

With the upgrades out of the best way, there’s quite a bit that is nonetheless the identical this 12 months, together with the Apple Watch SE 3’s roughly day-long battery life. The smartwatch would not final fairly so long as the Apple Watch Sequence 11’s roughly 24 hours or the Apple Watch Ultra 3’s multi-day battery, but it surely manages to eke out a full day in my expertise. Since I’ve at all times plugged my Apple Watch in on the finish of the day, this is not a difficulty for me.

Nonetheless, when you’re trying to stretch the battery into the following morning or for a number of days, this is not the smartwatch for you. Lastly, like the remainder of the Apple Watch lineup, the mobile model of the Apple Watch SE 3 is 5G-capable. Much like the S10 chip, I am a bit shocked Apple introduced this characteristic to its entry-level watch, but it surely’s a welcome addition (although, since no wi-fi service gives 5G smartwatch plans in Canada but, I wasn’t in a position to take a look at it). The Apple Watch SE 3 additionally would not characteristic satellite tv for pc connectivity just like the Apple Watch Sequence 11 and Apple Watch Extremely 3, although given that is the bottom smartwatch in Apple’s lineup, it is smart that it would not.

Broadly although, the Apple Watch SE 3 is principally the Apple Watch SE 2, solely with an always-on show.

What Apple Watch is best for you?

That is the important thing query surrounding the Apple Watch SE 3

Whereas the Apple Watch Sequence 11 and Apple Watch Extremely 3 supply comparable characteristic units, and in flip, are aimed on the identical kind of person, the Apple Watch SE 3 is a really totally different smartwatch. Whether or not it is smart for you, requires unpacking a couple of key questions. Would you like satellite tv for pc connectivity, an expansive show, and a number of other further hours of battery life? Perhaps well being monitoring options like hypertension notifications, ECG, and blood oxygen monitoring are essential to you.

Then the costlier $800 USD ($1,100 CAD) Apple Watch Extremely 3 and Apple Watch Sequence 11 $400 USD ($550 CAD) are extra your pace. However, when you purpose to make use of your Apple Watch as… nicely, a watch, have a little bit of an urge for food for well being monitoring options, and do not want each system you personal to be top-of-the-line, then the $250 USD ($330 CAD) Apple Watch SE 3 is the right smartwatch for you.

Model

Apple

Materials

Aluminum

Measurement

44mm, 40mm

Sleep Monitoring

Sure

Working System

watchOS 26

Battery

As much as 18 hours