On the “Awe Dropping” media occasion, Apple at the moment launched its 2025 smartwatch line, that includes the Apple Watch Sequence 11, Extremely 3, and SE 3. Whereas the higher-end fashions proceed to pack unique perks, as anticipated, the Apple Watch SE 3 stole the highlight with the very best variety of new additions. At this level, extra informal customers can safely go for the budget-friendly mannequin—with out practically as a lot worry of lacking out.
Other than the longer battery life (24 hours on the Sequence 11 vs 18 hours on the SE), the Apple Watch Sequence 11 doesn’t actually introduce a ton of thrilling options. These with a Sequence 9 can skip this 12 months’s releases, as their watches already help all of watchOS 26’s major additions. The Apple Watch SE 3, alternatively, lastly acquired a bunch of significant upgrades that convey it nearer to the premium variants.
Maybe probably the most noticeable enhancement is help for the always-on show characteristic. Watches are anticipated to indicate the time always, and the privilege has lastly expanded to the corporate’s least expensive smartwatch. You continue to get the considerably dated 40mm and 44mm measurement choices, however it gained’t really feel historical anymore. And with new wrist-flick and double-tap gestures, it’ll really feel extra futuristic than ever.
The Apple Watch SE 3 has some vital upgrades to well being monitoring.
Apple
Just like the Apple Watch Sequence 11 and Extremely 3, the SE 3 has additionally adopted the S10 chip. Consequently, the most recent SE mannequin now helps a great deal of new well being metrics and options unavailable on its predecessors. These embrace sleep apnea notifications, wrist temperature monitoring, retrospective ovulation estimates, on-device Siri with well being knowledge entry, wrist flick and double faucet gestures, and extra. Different Apple Watch SE 3 {hardware} upgrades embrace media playback utilizing the built-in speaker, 5G help, and as much as 2x sooner charging in comparison with the SE 2.
As you’d anticipate from an entry-level smartwatch, sure Apple Watch Sequence exclusives stay unavailable on the SE 3. Among the absentees embrace the ECG sensor, blood-oxygen monitoring, brighter show, hypertension notifications, water temperature measurements, Extremely Wideband chip for precision finding in Discover My, and extra. However none of those are deal-breakers, and most customers can benefit from health monitoring with out them.
There’s one shock too: the Apple Watch SE has a pores and skin temperature sensor for cycle monitoring with ovulation estimates. It’s a small characteristic in comparison with blood-oxygen and ECG, however it’s a notable improve over the SE 2.
A chip off the previous block
Apple sometimes introduces a brand new S-branded processor with each annual watch improve. What many purchasers don’t know, nevertheless, is that the true efficiency boosts happen solely as soon as each three years. So, regardless of having completely different names, the S6, S7, and S8 chipsets truly share the identical energy.
The Apple Watch SE 3 nonetheless is available in 40mm and 44mm choices.
Apple
The corporate is ending this custom with the most recent Apple Watches by reusing final 12 months’s chip title. Your nonetheless getting the most recent chip with the Apple Watch Sequence 11, however it’s the S10—and now it’s within the SE too. As such, the Sequence 11 seemingly doesn’t introduce any unique watchOS 26 options. For instance, whereas Apple demonstrated new well being instruments for monitoring hypertension in addition to a brand new Sleep Rating, the options will truly work on the Apple Watch Sequence 9 and newer fashions working the most recent OS model. Nothing is unique to this 12 months’s version. In truth, the SE already will get the Sleep Rating characteristic.
By way of {hardware}, the Apple Watch Sequence 11 has a bigger and higher show than the SE—2x extra scratch-resistant than the Sequence 10, a welcome change for individuals who ceaselessly bump their wrist towards sharp objects. However guess what? The SE’s Ion-X glass can also be 4X occasions extra crack-resistant than the earlier technology. And many individuals are going to be comfortable there’s nonetheless a smaller 40mm choice anyway.
The Extremely is in a special universe
This 12 months’s Extremely 3 mannequin doesn’t introduce a ton of attractive options, however it’s at a special finish of the spectrum from the SE. On condition that the rugged mannequin wasn’t refreshed final 12 months, the Apple Watch Extremely 3 good points some perks initially adopted by 2024’s Sequence 10, together with the LTPO3 wide-angle OLED panel that helps viewing the ticking seconds hand in always-on-display mode. It additionally will get the identical S10 chip because the Sequence 11 and SE 3.
The Apple Watch Extremely 3 is beefier than ever.
Apple
Past the show improve, the Apple Watch Extremely 3 has equally adopted 5G and the S10 chipset. Among the new exclusives that energy customers will respect embrace satellite tv for pc connectivity for Discover My and Emergency SOS. The battery life has additionally been stretched from 36 hours to 42 hours with out Low Energy Mode, making the wearable extra appropriate for longer tenting journeys.
You may preorder the Apple Watch Sequence 11, Extremely 3, and SE 3 proper now on the identical beginning costs as earlier than: $399, $799, and $249, respectively. Delivery and normal in-store availability will observe on Friday, September 19.
