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Apple Watch 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch SE 3 — which one should you buy?
Dan Bracaglia
17 September 2025
Here’s how all the new 2025 Apple Watch models compare
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(Image credit: Future)
Specs compared
Design and durability
Health and fitness features
Safety features
AI features
Battery life
And just like that, there are three shiny, new Apple Watch models to tempt you in 2025, including the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3. The question is, which one is best for you?
I’m here to help. With major upgrades across the board for all three Apple Watch families, from under-the-hood enhancements to impressive new health and safety features, I’ve broken down how the Apple Watch 11 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs. Apple Watch SE 3 compare across seven categories.
Short on time? Jump to the conclusion for my TLDR on the Apple Watch 11 vs. Ultra 3 vs. SE 3.
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Apple Watch 11 vs Ultra 3 vs SE 3: Specs compared
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell – Column 0
Apple Watch Series 11
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch SE 3
Starting price
Dimensions
46mm: 46 x 39 x 9.7mm / 42mm: 42 x 36 x 9.7mm
49 x 44 x 12 mm
44mm: 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm / 40mm: 40 x 34 x 10.7 mm
Case colors
Aluminum: Rose Gold, Silver, Space Gray, Jet Black / Titanium: Gold, Natural, Slate
Titanium: Natural, Black
Aluminum: Starlight, Midnight
46mm:416 x 496 pixels / 44mm: 374 x 446 pixels (Always-On LTPO3 Wide-Angle OLED)
422 x 514 pixels (Always-On LTPO3 Wide-Angle OLED)
44mm: 368 x 448 pixels / 40mm: 324 by 394 pixels (Always-On Retina OLED)
Display brightness
46mm: 37.8 g / 44mm: 30.3 g
44mm: 32.9 g / 40mm: 26.3 g
5G (optional)
5G, Satellite
5G (optional)
Water resistance
Battery life with always-on display (rated)
Compatibility
iOS 26 or later
iOS 26 or later
iOS 26 or later
Health sensors
HRM, ECG, SpO2, Skin Temperature
HRM, ECG, SpO2, Skin Temperature
HRM, Skin Temperature
Apple Watch 11 vs Ultra 3 vs SE 3: Price
(Image credit: Future)
The latest Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 each cost the same as their predecessors. Good looks, Apple.
The most affordable 2025 Apple Watch model is the SE 3 for $249 in 40mm (add $50 for 5G). The larger 44mm SE 3 starts at $279 or $329 for 5G.
The Series 11 starts at $399 for the 42mm option or $429 for the 46mm model. The 5G-compatible Series 11 models are $499 and $529, respectively.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 comes in only one size with 5G for $799. All three models are available for preorder now and are expected to ship by the end of the week.
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Winner: Apple Watch SE 3
Apple Watch 11 vs Ultra 3 vs SE 3: Design and durability
(Image credit: Future)
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 sports a larger, tougher-built case than the Apple Watch Series 11 or SE 3. The standard Series 11 case is made out of aluminum, though you can fork over extra cash for a titanium version, while the Ultra 3 case only comes in titanium.
The Apple Watch SE 3, meanwhile, has the same all-aluminum case as its predecessor, with the same weight and dimensions to boot. In fact, all three new models have roughly the same size and weight dimensions as their predecessors.
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Thicker and heavier than the Series 11 and SE 3, the Ultra 3 boasts a water resistance rating of 100 meters, compared to 50 meters for the Series 11 and SE 3. This means that you can wear the former during activities like high-impact water sports and diving, while the Series 11 and SE 3 are only rated for short surface-level swims.
You also get an additional customizable button on the Apple Watch Ultra 3, located on the left side of the case. Finally, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 sports a more durable sapphire crystal display compared to a hardened glass display on the Series 11 and SE 3.
The SE 3 inherits Apple’s latest Ion-X protective glass screen technology, which makes it four times less likely to crack compared to its predecessor. The Series 11, meanwhile, is just as crack-resistant as the SE 3, but boasts even better scratch resistance thanks to a state-of-the-art ceramic coating.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch 11 vs Ultra 3 vs SE 3: Display
(Image credit: Future)
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 screen is a tiny bit larger than the display on the largest 46mm Apple Watch Series 11. Both use Apple’s latest LTPO3 wide-angle OLED panels with 326 pixels per inch of resolution, but the Ultra 3’s display gets brighter than the display on the Series 11.
I’m talking 3,000 nits versus 2,000 nits. This should make the Ultra 3 easier to read in direct sunlight or at a quick glance, compared to the Series 11. LTPO3 also provides superior viewability at odd angles, compared to standard OLED.
The Apple Watch SE 3 has the same standard LTPO OLED panel with 1,000 nits of max brightness as its predecessor.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch 11 vs Ultra 3 vs SE 3: Health and fitness features
(Image credit: Future)
Health and fitness features are a match between the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the Apple Watch Series 11. They both offer Apple’s new hypertension detection tool and daily sleep score metric.
You also get features like sleep apnea detection, heart rate monitoring, Sp02 tracking, and a whole host of workout tools, including Apple’s new AI fitness coach, Workout Buddy.
The Apple Watch SE, meanwhile, supports Apple’s new daily sleep score and Workout Buddy, but not hypertension detection. Compared to the Apple Watch SE (2022), the new model gains an onboard body temperature sensor for improved holistic insights, including women’s health tracking. However, unlike the Series 11 and Ultra 3, there’s no onboard ECG sensor or SpO2 tracking.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch 11 vs Ultra 3 vs SE 3: Safety features
(Image credit: Future)
While fall and crash detection come standard on all three models, only the Apple Watch Ultra 3 has the brand’s new satellite-based emergency messaging capability, for contacting help when off-the-grid/out of cellular range.
This new safety feature, similar to emergency satellite messaging on the Google Pixel Watch 4 and Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, makes a lot of sense on the Ultra 3, given its positioning as a rugged smartwatch for hardcore outdoorsy types and athletes.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch 11 vs Ultra 3 vs SE 3: AI features
(Image credit: Future)
None of the new Apple Watch models offer a handy, onboard AI assistant, similar to what you get from Google’s Gemini voice assistant on the latest Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Google Pixel Watch 4.
Sadly, Apple Watch wearers are likely stuck with a non-AI version of Siri for the foreseeable future. However, that doesn’t mean the new models don’t have any AI goodies.
All three support Workout Buddy, Apple’s personalized AI-powered fitness coach, and real-time message translations. The catch: You’ll need an AI-compatible iPhone (15 Pro or newer) to run these features. Not even the Ultra 3 has enough computational power for onboard AI processing.
For what it’s worth, the Apple Watch Ultra 3, Series 11, and SE 3 all sport the same, cutting-edge S10 processor, meaning that Apple’s entry-level wearable is just as powerful as its highest-end model. Put another way, the $249 SE 3 has the same AI capabilities as the $799 Ulta 3.
Winner: Apple Watch SE 3
Apple Watch 11 vs Ultra 3 vs SE 3: Battery life
(Image credit: Future)
Both the Ultra and standard Series Apple Watches received welcomed battery life bumps this time around. The Apple Watch Series 11 now lasts for 24 hours per charge, compared to 18 hours on the Series 10. The Ultra 3 is good for 42 hours per charge, compared to 36 hours on the Ultra 2.
In low-power mode, the Series 11 offers 38 hours of juice, and the Ultra 3 lasts for up to 72 hours, the same as the Ultra 2.
The Apple Watch SE 3, meanwhile, has the same 18-hour battery life rating as its predecessor. However, when you consider the fact that the new model gains an always-on display, it’s hard to be disappointed. In low-power mode, the SE 3 is now good for up to 32 hours, while the SE (2022) didn’t offer such a mode.
All three new Apple Watch models charge up ridiculously fast. In 15 minutes of charging, you can get 8 hours of use from the Series 11 and SE 3, and 12 hours from the Ultra 3.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch 11 vs Ultra 3 vs SE 3: Which should you buy?
(Image credit: Future)
With so many Apple Watch models to choose from, which is best for you: the flagship Apple Watch Series 11, rugged-built Apple Watch Ultra 3, or wallet-friendly Apple Watch SE 3?
For a lot of folks, the Apple Watch Series 11 is going to be the sweet spot. You get all the same health features found on the Ultra 3, packed into a sleeker design. It’s also significantly less exspensive.
The Apple Watch SE 3, meanwhile, is perfect for first-time smartwatch owners, youngsters who aren’t quite ready for a smartphone, and budget-minded folks. Smaller than the other models, especially in 40mm, it offers the same processing power as the pricier models, the same 5G connectivity, and the same AI features. It also gains an always-on display and supports all the new Apple Watch gesture controls, including my favorite, wrist flicks.
Finally, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the powerhouse model for folks who must have the largest screen, toughest case design, and longest-lasting battery, not to mention exclusive access to Apple’s new satellite communication safety tool. Best of all, you don’t need to be a hardcore adventurer to appreciate the latest Ultra model.
Which new Apple Watch model are you most excited for? Let me know in the comments below.
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Dan Bracaglia
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Senior Writer, Fitness & Wearables
Dan Bracaglia is the Tom’s Guide editorial lead for all things smartwatches, fitness trackers and outdoor gear. With 15 years of experience as a consumer technology journalist testing everything from Oura Rings to instant cameras, Dan is deeply passionate about helping readers save money and make informed purchasing decisions. In the past year alone, Dan has assessed major product releases from the likes of Apple, Garmin, Google, Samsung, Polar and many others.
An avid outdoor adventurer, Dan is based in the U.S. Pacific Northwest where he takes advantage of the beautiful surroundings every chance he gets. A lover of kayaking, hiking, swimming, biking, snowboarding and exploring, he also makes every effort to combine his day job with his passions. When not assessing the sleep tracking and heart rate accuracy of the latest tach gadgets, you can find him photographing Seattle’s vibrant underground music community.
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