Refreshed in September 2025, the Apple Watch SE 3 is Apple's most affordable Apple Watch option. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of the Apple Watch Series 11 or the Apple Watch Ultra 3, as it lacks ECG functionality, hypertension alerts and blood oxygen monitoring, but it otherwise provides much of the key Apple Watch functionality.

Apple just updated the Apple Watch SE, which means now is a good time to buy.

Apple debuted the Apple Watch SE 3 in September 2025 alongside the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3. The Apple Watch SE is designed for people who want a more affordable, fitness-focused Apple Watch option that has all of the essential Apple Watch functionality at a lower price point. Apple also markets it to parents who are looking for a device for their children.

The third-generation Apple Watch SE looks identical to the SE 2, with no design changes. It does not support ECG, blood oxygen, or temperature sensing functionality, as those health features require hardware components that Apple did not include in the Apple Watch SE in order to keep costs down.

The Apple Watch SE is available in 40mm and 44mm size options, and it has the same design as the Apple Watch Series 4, 5, and 6 models. It has an upgraded S10 SiP, which Apple introduced with the Apple Watch Series 10. It is significantly faster than the prior-generation Apple Watch SE.

The S10 chip enables several new features that weren't available with the Apple Watch SE 2. The Apple Watch SE 3 can use the wrist flick and double tap gestures, with wrist flick available to dismiss incoming calls and notifications one-handed, and double tap offering a way to control watch functions with finger taps. Siri is also able to answer queries about on-device health readings thanks to the faster chip, and the Apple Watch SE 3 offers 64GB storage like the more expensive Apple Watch models.

Apple added Always-On display capabilities to the Apple Watch SE 3, so the time and complications remain visible even when the wrist is down. The SE 3 has a Retina OLED display with up to 1,000 nits maximum brightness and 2 nits minimum brightness, and other than Always-On functionality, the display has not changed and the bezels are the same size.

All Apple Watch SE models are aluminum and this model can't be purchased with a stainless steel or titanium casing. Casing colors include Midnight and Starlight, with Apple eliminating the previous Silver color. The Apple Watch SE is compatible with all Apple Watch bands other than those intended for the Apple Watch Ultra.

The Apple Watch SE includes a haptic Digital Crown for navigating through the operating system, and Ion-X glass protects the display. The Ion-X glass has been updated and it offers 4× better scratch protection than before. The Apple Watch SE 3 has the same speaker as the prior-generation version, but an upgraded microphone that supports voice isolation.

The Apple Watch SE is water resistant to 50 meters and supports Apple Pay much like prior models, and though it lacks ECG and blood oxygen monitoring, it has an optical heart rate sensor, gyroscope, and accelerometer so it can monitor steps taken, calories burned, stairs climbed, and heart rate, plus it can track sleep, look out for falls with fall detection, make emergency calls with SOS, check orientation with the compass, and watch out for overly loud sounds with sound detection features.

The Apple Watch SE 3 includes Sleep Apnea detection, which is a new feature that the prior version did not support. The Apple Watch SE can monitor for breathing disturbances during sleep, and send an alert if sleep apnea is a possibility. Apple also added a temperature sensor that can measure wrist temperature at night, providing updated Vitals information and other temperature sensing features.

With watchOS 26, the Apple Watch SE also supports Sleep Score, a feature that quantifies sleep quality with a daily numerical grade.

Apple sells both GPS + 5G and GPS-only Apple Watch SE models, so there is an option to use the low-cost Apple Watch with cellular plans. 5G connectivity is new this year, and it is an upgrade over the prior LTE support. 5G is limited to select countries, and when it's not available, the Apple Watch SE 3 will revert to LTE.

Since it supports 5G/LTE, the Apple Watch SE can be used with Family Setup. Family Setup allows multiple Apple Watches to be paired with and managed by a single iPhone, so a family member without an iPhone can use an Apple Watch. Apple envisions this feature being used for children and elderly adults who need assistance.

The Apple Watch SE 3 features an 18-hour battery life that can be extended to 32 hours with Low Power Mode. The new model adds support for fast charging, so it can charge from 0 to 80 percent in approximately 45 minutes. A 15-minute charge provides eight hours of normal use, and an 8-minute charge provides enough battery for eight hours of sleep tracking.

A Crash Detection feature uses an updated gyroscope and accelerometer along with an advanced sensor-fusion algorithm to detect severe car crashes and alert emergency services. When a crash occurs, the Apple Watch checks in with the user and if no response is received within a 10-second countdown, emergency responders are contacted.

The Apple Watch SE is priced starting at $249 for the 40mm model and $279 for the 44mm model. The Apple Watch SE is being sold alongside the more expensive Apple Watch Series 11 and the high-end Apple Watch Ultra 3.

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The Apple Watch SE is available for order from Apple and other retails, and it launched on September 19. The 40mm model is priced starting at $249, and the 44mm model is priced starting at $279.

Reviewers were impressed with the upgrades that Apple made to the Apple Watch SE 3. It includes several features that were previously limited to the more expensive Apple Watch models, but the price of the SE 3 hasn't changed.

Always-On Display technology is a major improvement because it allows for the time and complications to be viewed without wrist movement. Reviewers liked the speed improvement that came with the S10 upgrade, especially because it enables new Double Tap and Wrist Flick gestures.

On the downside, the Apple Watch SE 3 didn't get any design updates, and it has the same old design as the Apple Watch Series 6. It isn't as modern looking as the Apple Watch Series 11.

Reviewers liked the fast charging addition because it cuts down on charging time and makes it more feasible to use the Apple Watch SE for sleep. It was a surprise that the Apple Watch SE 3 got the same 5G connectivity that Apple brought to the Ultra 3 and the Series 11, and reviewers were pleasantly surprised with the feature parity.

Overall, the Apple Watch SE 3 got the biggest upgrade in the Apple Watch line this year. It is an excellent value for what it offers, and many reviewers think that most people won't miss features exclusive to the Series 11 like ECG and blood oxygen sensing. It is the best Apple Watch option for first-time buyers, and a good pick for those upgrading from an older model.

The third-generation Apple Watch SE is identical in overall design to the Apple Watch SE 2, featuring slim-bezeled displays in 40mm and 44mm size options to fit a variety of different wrists. The first-generation SE was modeled after the Apple Watch Series 6, and the current model still uses that same design. It hasn't gotten any of the design changes that came with the Series 10.

The Apple Watch SE 3 is 10.7mm thick and it features the same square-shaped design that Apple has used since the Apple Watch launched in 2015. With no design changes to the case, the Apple Watch SE 3 works with all previous-generation Apple Watch band options other than those intended for the Apple Watch Ultra.

Apple's 40mm models measure in at 40mm high and 34mm wide, while the 44mm models are 44mm high and 38mm wide. The 40mm models weigh in at 26.4 grams and the 44mm models weigh in at 32.9 grams.

All Apple Watch SE models are made from 100 percent recycled 7000 series aluminum, which is lightweight, inexpensive, and designed for an active lifestyle. The Apple Watch SE 3 is available in a limited color palette that includes Starlight and Midnight colors, with Apple dropping the Silver color option.

The SE 3 has a back case made from a nylon composite material, and the backing includes an optical heart rate sensor to enable the heart rate detection features.

A Digital Crown on the side of the Apple Watch is available for navigation purposes, and there's a side button that's used to bring up frequently used apps, access emergency services, confirm Apple Pay purchases, and more.

The Digital Crown is equipped with haptic feedback that offers a precise, mechanical feel when scrolling through lists and controlling various aspects of the Apple Watch.

The Apple Watch SE 3 offers many of the same display specifications as the Series 11, with Apple adding Always-On display functionality. Always-On means the watch face, time, and complications are visible without raising the wrist. The display dims when the wrist is down to preserve battery, but key features like the time remain visible.

While the SE 3 has the same Always-On functionality as the Series 11, the display is not as bright, and it does not feature the same wide-angle OLED technology. The Apple Watch SE 3 features 1,000 nits brightness, 2 nits minimum brightness, and Ion-X glass. This year, the Ion-X glass has been improved and it offers 4x better scratch protection.

The 40mm Apple Watch SE features a resolution of 324 x 394 pixels, while the larger 44mm Apple Watch Series has a resolution of 368 x 448. This translates to a 759 sq mm display area for the 40mm Apple Watch and a 977 sq mm display area for the 44mm Apple Watch.

Water Resistance

Apple Watch SE models are rated for immersion in water as deep as 50 meters thanks to seals and adhesives. The speaker, which needs air to produce sound, is the only point of ingress and has been designed to expel water from itself using sound vibrations after exposure to moisture.

Because it is rated for 50m immersion, the Apple Watch SE can be used when swimming in the ocean or in a pool. It is only suited to shallow water activities, though, and can't be used for scuba diving, waterskiing, showering, or other activities that involve high-velocity water or deep submersion.

Apple's Apple Watch warranty does not cover water damage, so it is best to use caution when exposing the watch to water.

The Apple Watch SE 3 uses the same S10 System-in-Package (SiP) with a 64-bit dual-core processor that Apple uses in the Series 11. Compared to the S8 chip that was in the SE 2, the S10 is faster and more efficient.

The S10 chip has 5.6 billion transistors and a four-core Neural Engine for machine learning tasks.

Gestures

The S10 chip powers Double Tap, a gesture that you can use to control the Apple Watch. When you double tap your index finger and thumb, the sensors in the Apple Watch detect the motion and can activate what's on the display, allowing you to do things like answer a call, end a call, open a notification, play or pause music, start or stop a timer, check your Smart Stack, and more. Double Tap also works in third-party apps.

The S10 chip also powers Wrist Flick, a gesture that Apple introduced in watchOS 26. Wrist Flick lets you dismiss incoming notifications, calls, and more with a flick of the wrist.

Storage

The Apple Watch SE 3 has 64GB of storage, up from 32GB in the prior-generation model.

The Apple Watch SE offers many of the same health features as the Apple Watch Series 10, but it lacks a blood oxygen sensor, hypertension alerts, and the capability to take an ECG reading.

There is a second-generation optical heart rate sensor that calculates metrics like calorie burn, activity level, heart rate, and more, plus Apple added Sleep Score this year. The second-generation optical heart rate sensor is not as advanced as the third-generation version in the Apple Watch Series 11.

The Apple Watch can detect a low heart rate, a high heart rate, and an abnormal heart rate, monitoring for health problems like atrial fibrillation and sending notifications when anomalies are detected.

A built-in accelerometer and gyroscope enable other important health-related features such as fall detection and a new Crash Detection feature, and the LTE models support international SOS capabilities so you can call emergency services no matter where you are.

Sleep Tracking

The Apple Watch SE 3 can be worn at night to monitor your sleep, with Apple providing data on how long you sleep each night. With watchOS 26, Apple added a new Sleep Score feature. Sleep Score takes into account sleep duration, bedtime consistency, and how often the wearer wakes in the night, and how long is spent in each sleep stage.

Sleep Score shows the breakdown in each category so users can understand their sleep quality and learn steps to make it more restorative. Sleep Score is available on the Apple Watch Series 9 and later.

The Apple Watch SE 3 also supports sleep apnea alerts, a feature that's new to the SE line. Sleep apnea detection uses the accelerometer to determine whether the wearer might be experiencing breathing issues at night.

The Apple Watch is able to sense small movements at the wrist that are associated with interruptions in normal respiratory patterns, and the data can provide insight into the restfulness of sleep.

The Apple Watch is able to analyze 30 days of sleep, letting you know if signs of sleep apnea are detected. Sleep apnea data can be viewed in the Health app on iPhone.

Temperature Tracking

The Apple Watch SE 3 has an included temperature sensor that can measure wrist temperature at night. Temperature sensing can be used for cycle tracking and to provide metrics for the Vitals app. Wrist temperature is not as accurate as other temperature sensing methods, but over time, it can be a useful tool for determining when you're feeling under the weather.

The Apple Watch SE 3 offers all-day battery life of up to 18 hours. Apple bases "all-day" battery life on 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use, and a 60-minute workout with music playback via Bluetooth. For cellular models, Apple assumes four hours of cellular connection and 14 hours of connection to an iPhone.

With a Low Power Mode introduced the Apple Watch SE battery can last for up to 32 hours. Low Power Mode turns off heart rate notifications, background heart rate measurements, WiFi and cellular connections when the iPhone is not nearby, and other features to save power.

Fast charging is supported this year, and the SE 3 can charge from 0 to 80 percent in about 45 minutes. A 15 minute charge will provide eight hours of normal use, while an eight minute charge will provide up to eight hours of sleep tracking.

Apple Watch SE models are equipped with the same Apple-designed W3 chip that is available in the Series 10. There are two Apple Watch SE configurations: GPS and GPS + Cellular. The GPS + Cellular SE models have an LTE connection while the GPS-only models do not.

5G

Apple Watch SE 3 has an Apple-designed W3 chip, and there are two variants available: GPS and GPS + Cellular. GPS + Cellular models have a built-in 5G chip and can connect to 5G or LTE networks without an iPhone, while GPS models are Wi-Fi only.

5G connectivity is new this year, and it is the first time the Apple Watch has supported faster 5G speeds. 5G is available in multiple countries, though in some areas, Apple Watch connectivity is limited to LTE.

With a cellular connection, the Apple Watch is untethered from the iPhone and does not require an iPhone or known Wi-Fi network for an internet connection. The Apple Watch is still not entirely independent from the iPhone, because cellular connectivity through a carrier requires an Apple Watch and an iPhone 6s or later to share a cellular plan with the same carrier.

Emergency SOS

5G/LTE connectivity enables an international Emergency SOS feature. With Emergency SOS, the Apple Watch can make international calls to emergency services regardless of where the device was originally purchased or if there's an active cellular plan.

That means if you're traveling to another country and are injured or in a situation where you need help, you can activate the SOS feature on the Apple Watch by holding down the side button to automatically get in touch with that country's emergency services.

International emergency calling works with the Apple Watch's fall detection feature, so if that's enabled, it automatically places an emergency call if the watch senses the user has taken a hard fall and remains motionless afterward.

Crash Detection

Motion sensors and an advanced sensor-fusion algorithm allow the Apple Watch SE 3 to detect a severe car crash and alert emergency services. After a crash is detected, the Apple Watch checks in with the user and then dial emergency services after a 10-second period with no response. It also alerts emergency contacts.

WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS

Apple Watch SE 3 supports 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.3. It does not support 5GHz WiFi, which is supported on the Series 11.

GPS has been included in the Apple Watch since the Series 2, and all Apple Watch SE models feature an L1 GPS chip that allows the Apple Watch to determine its position without needing to be near an iPhone.

With GPS, the Apple Watch is able to keep tabs on speed, distance, and route when you're walking, running, hiking, or biking, providing more insight into your fitness activities. GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS systems are supported for positioning technology across multiple countries.

Sensors

The Apple Watch SE 3 includes a second-generation optical heart rate sensor (the Apple Watch Series 10 models use a third-generation sensor), a high-g accelerometer, a gyroscope, an ambient light sensor, and an always-on altimeter to track flights of stairs climbed, elevation gains when climbing, and more.

Compass

Apple Watch SE models are equipped with a built-in compass feature and a Compass app that allows users to see their heading, incline, latitude, longitude, and current elevation.

The Compass app supports dropping waypoints and a backtrack feature that can retrace your route should you become lost.

Compass functionality is baked into the Maps app to let users see which way they're facing when getting directions, and there are three new Compass complications for Apple Watch faces.

• September 17 - Overhauled for the Apple Watch SE 3.