Skip to main content
Tom’s Guide
Newsletters
View Profile
Search Tom’s Guide
You May Like
Apple Watch SE 3 unveiled — cost, release date, key features, battery and more
Apple Watch SE 3 rumors — release date, price and new features
Apple Watch SE 3 — 5 Reasons I Want a New Budget-Friendly Apple Watch More Than a Series 11 or Ultra 3
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Over-Ear Headphones
Bluetooth Speakers
Smart Speakers
TV & Audio Brands
Entertainment
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
PlayStation
Handheld Gaming
Gaming Peripherals
Connections
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
Operating Systems
Identity Theft Protection
Parental Controls
Malware & Adware
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Smart Glasses
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
Home Brands
Popular Brands
View Phones
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
View Network Carriers
Android Phones
View Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
View Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Headphones
View Headphones
Over-Ear Headphones
View Speakers
Bluetooth Speakers
Smart Speakers
TV & Audio Brands
Entertainment
View Entertainment
View Streaming
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
View Gaming
PlayStation
Handheld Gaming
Gaming Peripherals
Word Games
Connections
View Computing
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
View Hardware
View Software
Operating Systems
View Security
Identity Theft Protection
Parental Controls
Malware & Adware
View VR & AR
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Smart Glasses
View Laptops
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
View Desktops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
View Tablets
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
AI Engines
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
View Wellness
Mattresses
View Mattresses
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
View Fitness
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
View Outdoors
Home Brands
Popular Brands
Exclusive Apple Interview
iPhone 17 Pro
Wordle Today
Best laptops
Best Mattress
Don’t miss these
Smartwatches
Apple Watch SE 3 unveiled — cost, release date, key features, battery and more
Smartwatches
Apple Watch SE 3 rumors — release date, price and new features
Smartwatches
Apple Watch SE 3 — 5 Reasons I Want a New Budget-Friendly Apple Watch More Than a Series 11 or Ultra 3
Smartwatches
Apple Watch SE 3 looks set to drop tomorrow — and this is the rumored upgrade I’m most excited about
Smartwatches
Meet the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — the first Android smartwatch with Gemini AI built in
Smartwatches
Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 — biggest rumored upgrades explained
Smartwatches
Apple Watch 10 vs Pixel Watch 4 — Which is the Better Smartwatch?
Smartwatches
Apple Watch 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3 — which one should you buy?
Smartwatches
Apple Watch Ultra 3 rumors — release date, price, new features, battery life and more
Smartwatches
Apple Watch 11 — 5 reasons I’d buy the new Series 11, and 2 reasons I’d skip it
Smartwatches
Apple Watch Series Ultra 3 unveiled — 42 hours of battery, satellite messaging, and Apple’s largest screen ever
Smartwatches
Pixel Watch 4 vs Pixel Watch 3 — Which Google Smartwatch Should You Buy?
Smartwatches
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Galaxy Watch 7: How to Choose Which is Best for You
Smartwatches
Apple Watch 11 vs Apple Watch 10 — biggest upgrades explained
Fitness Trackers
I’m not buying the Apple Watch Ultra 3 — here’s why my Garmin Fenix is staying put on my wrist
Smartwatches
I reviewed the Apple Watch SE 3 and it’s easily the best smartwatch value around right now
The Apple Watch SE 3 is a small price to pay for big upgrades
Kate Kozuch
16 September 2025
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Recommended
(Image: © Future)
Tom’s Guide Verdict
The Apple Watch SE 3 is Apple’s most complete budget-friendly smartwatch to date, finally adding an Always-On display, 5G connectivity, on-device Siri, and expanded health features. At $249, it delivers nearly all the essentials of the Series 11 for significantly less, though its dated design and lack of ECG may remain drawbacks for some buyers.
Check Amazon
Check Walmart
Great value for $249
Always-On display
5G connectivity
Robust health tracking
Outdated design
Best picks for you
Best Apple Watch in 2025: Each model tested and rated by our experts
Best smartwatch tested and rated: 2025 top picks for iPhone and Android
Best cheap smartwatch in 2025: Expert tested and reviewed
Why you can trust Tom’s Guide
Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what’s best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
Quick facts
Price and availability
When people ask me which Apple Watch to buy, I usually steer them toward the SE. It’s the model I think makes the most sense for first-time smartwatch owners. To sum up the Apple Watch SE, it’s an affordable way to get the essentials of fitness tracking and iPhone connectivity without overspending.
But with the Apple Watch SE 3, most of the trade-offs or caveats I needed to disclaim with the Apple Watch SE 2 are gone. It feels less like a compromise than ever with an always-on display, 5G connectivity, on-device Siri powered by the same S10 chip found in the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, plus a skin temperature sensor and all the software upgrades in watchOS 26.
Apple Watch Series 11 vs. Ultra 3 vs. SE 3 | In-Depth Comparison Review – YouTube
In other words, Apple’s entry-level watch is starting to look a lot less entry-level. In fact, for me, a certified Apple Watch enthusiast, it’s the most exciting pick among the best Apple Watch options, looking at the upgrades available to this year’s family alone.
But whether it’s the best smartwatch for you depends on whether the compromises that are still present contradict what you’re looking for out of a connected wearable. Read my full Apple Watch SE 3 review below to get the breakdown of how it compares to the Series 11 and Ultra 3.
Apple Watch SE 3: Quick facts
All-aluminum case: The Apple Watch SE 3 is more durable than its predecessor thanks to an all-aluminum case design and a 4x more crack-resistant screen. It comes in two colors, Starlight and Midnight.
S10 chip: The Apple Watch SE 3 runs on the same S10 chip as the Series 11 and Ultra 3, a major upgrade over the S7 chip in the SE (2022). This powers performance upgrades like on-device Siri.
Always-On display: The Apple Watch SE 3 finally gets an Always-On display option, due in part to the S10 chip’s efficiency.
Gestures: The new processor also unlocks gesture controls on the SE 3, including Double Tap and the handy new wrist flick gesture, which can be used to dismiss incoming notifications and calls.
Battery life: The Apple Watch SE 3 lasts up to 18 hours with the Always-On display enabled. For comparison, the Apple Watch Series 11 lasts up to 24 hours and the Apple Watch Ultra lasts up to 42 hours.
Fast charging: The Apple Watch SE 3 has two times faster charging than the previous generation, and just 15 minutes on the charger results in 8 hours of battery life.
Sleep Score and Sleep Apnea alerts: The Apple Watch SE 3 is the first model in Apple’s entry-level range with sleep apnea alerts. It also provides a daily Sleep Score from one to one hundred, similar to what the competition has long offered.
Skin temperature sensor: The Apple Watch SE gets the skin temperature sensor that debuted in the Apple Watch Series 8. The sensor provides deeper insights into your cycle, such as retroactive ovulation estimates.
Apple Watch SE 3: Specs
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell – Column 0
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple Watch SE 2
Apple Watch Series 11
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Starting price
Dimensions
44mm: 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm / 40mm: 40 x 34 x 10.7 mm
44mm: 44 x 38 x 10.7mm / 40mm: 40 x 34 x 10.7mm
46mm: 46 x 39 x 9.7mm / 42mm: 42 x 36 x 9.7mm
49 x 44 x 12 mm
Case colors
Aluminum: Starlight, Midnight
Aluminum: Starlight, Silver, Midnight
Aluminum: Rose Gold, Silver, Space Gray, Jet Black / Titanium: Gold, Natural, Slate
Titanium: Natural, Black
44mm: 368 x 448 pixels / 40mm: 324 by 394 pixels (Always-On Retina OLED)
44mm: 368 x 448 pixels / 40mm: 324 by 394 pixels (Always-On Retina OLED)
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)
Display brightness
44mm: 32.9 g / 40mm: 26.3 g
44mm: 32.9 g / 40mm: 26.3 g
46mm: 37.8 g / 44mm: 30.3 g
5G (optional)
LTE (optional)
5G (optional)
5G, Satellite
Water resistance
Battery life with always-on display (rated)
Compatibility
iOS 26 or later
iOS 18 or later
iOS 26 or later
iOS 26 or later
Health sensors
HRM, Skin Temperature
HRM, ECG, SpO2, Skin Temperature
HRM, ECG, SpO2, Skin Temperature
Apple Watch SE 3: Price and availability
From right to left: Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3 (Image credit: Future)
The Apple Watch SE 3 debuted alongside the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, with all three watches available as of September 19.
Like the SE models before it, the SE 3 starts at a reasonable $249 for the smaller 40mm model without cellular or $299 for the model that supports the new 5G connectivity through your mobile carrier. The larger 44mm model is $279 without cellular or $329 with it.
That means even the highest configuration of the Apple Watch SE 3 is more affordable than the $399 starting price of the Apple Watch Series 11. Your other option is the Apple Watch Ultra 3 for $799, making it far from one of the best cheap smartwatches.
Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Make sure to check out the best Apple Watch deals for further savings on all of these smartwatches.
Apple Watch SE 3 review: The ups
Great value for $249
I’ll get more in the weeds on the Apple Watch SE 3’s best (and worst) features in later sections, but I want to establish just how great a value this watch is compared to the other options out there.
With watchOS 26, the Apple Watch SE 3 offers much of the same experience you’ll find on the Series 11, plus it’ll be eligible for annual software updates with new features. Currently, it gets the Flow watch face for showing off Liquid Glass, the on-wrist Notes app, live message translations and even Workout Buddy, the Apple Intelligence-powered fitness coach.
The S10 chip also means the Apple Watch SE 3 has motion gestures and on-device Siri. Now nothing between you and Siri is being sent up to the cloud, meaning Apple’s voice assistant can execute certain commands even when the Apple Watch is disconnected from Wi-Fi or a smartphone.
And in a fun upgrade, you can now play music straight out of the SE’s speaker, something previously limited to the Series line.
Always-On display
(Image credit: Future)
My favorite Apple Watch SE 3 upgrade is easily the Always-On display. When I tested the SE 2, the lack of Always-On really distracted from the experience, especially coming from a Series model, which has had always-on since Series 5. For me, being able to glance at the time without having to lift my wrist every single time is essential.
The only distinction is that the Series 11 and Ultra 3 use Apple’s latest LTPO3 displays, which can refresh once per second in Always-On mode to track things like passing seconds on a watch face. But honestly, that level of precision doesn’t feel like a meaningful advantage over what you get with the SE 3.
5G connectivity
(Image credit: Future)
One of the Apple Watch SE 3’s most surprising upgrades is 5G connectivity. Honestly, I thought Apple might reserve this for the Series 11 and Ultra 3, but here it is on the entry-level model. The Ultra 3 still stands alone with satellite SOS support, but on the SE 3, you’re getting faster, more reliable connections for calls and texts directly from your wrist.
The new 5G antenna supports more bands, can sense when you’re in a weak coverage area, and intelligently merges connections to keep you online without draining your watch’s battery. Even better, going cellular on the SE 3 is just a $50 premium, compared to the $100 upgrade on the Series watch. To me, that makes having the option to enable it through your carrier well worth the cost.
Robust health tracking
Health and fitness tracking has always been central to the Apple Watch, and the SE 3 delivers a mostly complete experience. You get the essentials like step counting, automatic workout detection, and custom workout creation, plus seamless syncing with Apple Fitness+ and other fitness apps. With the new Workout Buddy feature powered by Apple Intelligence, the watch feels like a personalized coach on your wrist.
(Image credit: Future)
That said, the SE 3’s heart rate sensor isn’t as advanced as the one on the Series 11 or Ultra 3, so it won’t support the hyped up Hypertension alerts. What you do get, though, is a skin temperature sensor that takes readings every five seconds overnight. This helps the Cycle Tracking app provide more accurate ovulation predictions, which can be valuable whether you’re trying to conceive or avoid pregnancy.
The SE 3 also brings over Apple’s growing suite of sleep features, including FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection introduced last year. By analyzing overnight movement patterns with its accelerometer, the watch can flag signs of sleep apnea. On top of that, a new Sleep Score translates all your data into an easy-to-understand snapshot of your nightly performance, complete with actionable insights.
Apple Watch SE 3 review: The downs
Outdated design
(Image credit: Future)
If there’s one area where the Apple Watch SE 3 shows its trade-offs, it’s the design. It still very much looks like an Apple Watch, but the overall aesthetic is closer to the Series 4 era. At this point, it’s starting to feel dated.
The display is noticeably smaller than what you get on the Series 11, and the 1,000-nit brightness just doesn’t hold up as well in direct sunlight.
More frustrating for me personally, the older chassis design means the sensors on the back aren’t recessed as neatly, so the watch doesn’t sit as flush on my wrist compared to the Series 11. That said, I suspect first-time buyers likely won’t think twice about it.
The limited color choices don’t help either: the SE 3 is only available in Starlight and Midnight, one fewer option than the SE 2 offered.
(Image credit: Future)
The other missing piece on the Apple Watch SE 3, for me, is ECG. If there’s one feature that could make this the ultimate all-around Apple Watch, it’s the ability to take an electrocardiogram and detect signs of atrial fibrillation. Maybe it’s because of my line of work, but I know more people than I can count who first learned they had AFib thanks to their Apple Watch. It’s hard not to see ECG as one of those undeniably life-saving tools.
That’s why, if I were gifting this watch to a parent or someone at higher risk, the lack of ECG would give me pause. The SE 3 still offers robust health tracking in many ways as I’ve outlined, but ECG is the kind of feature that could genuinely change lives. It’s too bad it remains reserved for Apple’s higher-end smartwatch models.
Apple Watch SE 3 review: Verdict
The Apple Watch SE 3 doesn’t just refresh Apple’s entry-level smartwatch; it redefines it. With the addition of an Always-On display, 5G connectivity, on-device Siri, and a deeper roster of health and fitness features, the SE 3 dismisses many of the caveats that held it back.
For $249, it delivers an experience that’s remarkably close to the Series 11 at a far lower price. Of course, the design is starting to feel dated, and the lack of ECG keeps it from being the perfect solution, especially if you’re buying for someone at higher health risk. But for most first-time buyers, this shouldn’t outweigh just how much watch you’re getting with the SE for the money.
Apple Watch Series 1: Price Comparison
685 Amazon customer reviews
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price informationCheck Walmart
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
powered by
Apple Watch
Kate Kozuch
Social Links Navigation
Kate Kozuch is the managing editor of social and video at Tom’s Guide. She writes about smartwatches, TVs, audio devices, and some cooking appliances, too. Kate appears on Fox News to talk tech trends and runs the Tom’s Guide TikTok account, which you should be following if you don’t already. When she’s not filming tech videos, you can find her taking up a new sport, mastering the NYT Crossword or channeling her inner celebrity chef.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Apple Watch SE 3 unveiled — cost, release date, key features, battery and more
Apple Watch SE 3 rumors — release date, price and new features
Apple Watch SE 3 — 5 Reasons I Want a New Budget-Friendly Apple Watch More Than a Series 11 or Ultra 3
Apple Watch SE 3 looks set to drop tomorrow — and this is the rumored upgrade I’m most excited about
Meet the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — the first Android smartwatch with Gemini AI built in
Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 — biggest rumored upgrades explained
Latest in Smartwatches
I reviewed the Apple Watch Series 11 for a week and this is the feature that blew me away
Upgrading to watchOS 26? Try these 7 Apple Watch features first
How to download watchOS 26 — your guide to installing the latest Apple Watch software
watchOS 26 is here — and these Apple Watch models are eligible for an upgrade
Forget the Apple Watch Ultra 3 — my favorite fitness tracker has a built-in coach and is on sale right now for under $70
watchOS 26 arrives today — I tried the new Apple Watch faces and there’s a clear winner
Latest in Reviews
iOS 26 review: Great new features and a brand new look
Apple macOS Tahoe review: Apple Intelligence and Liquid Glass upgrades are a winning combo
iPadOS 26 review: Your iPad is more Mac-like than ever — and that’s great news
Apple AirPods Pro 3 review: The best AirPods yet
I spent two weeks testing the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3, and I barely noticed it was there
Klipsch The One Plus review
LATEST ARTICLES
I tried 14 ChatGPT ‘cheat codes’ to unlock its full potential — here’s the 5 best ones to use
Huge REI jacket sale — 9 deals I’d personally recommend on Patagonia, Arc’teryx and Columbia from $29
Want to get the most out of Spotify Lossless? Grab one of these headphones
I did the Pilates ‘roll like a ball’ exercise for a week, and my mobility improved in a way I didn’t expect
I just found the perfect co-op game for new players — and it’s one of the best Lego titles ever
Tom’s Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Terms and conditions
Contact Future’s experts
Privacy policy
Cookies policy
Accessibility Statement
Advertise with us
Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait…
