Apple Watch SE 3 Review: The new Apple Watch SE (3rd Gen) might just be the best Apple Watch for 90% of people out there. Yeah, I know that sounds bold, but after using it for a while, it’s hard to justify spending double or triple the money on the Series 11 or Ultra 3.
Apple somehow kept the same $249 price tag but packed this thing with upgrades that make it feel like a flagship, minus the unnecessary extras.
Design & Build: Same Classic Look, Smarter Inside
The design hasn’t changed much, and honestly, that’s fine. It still looks clean and premium, just like every other Apple Watch. You get two size options — 40mm and 44mm. I went with the 40mm, and while it feels a bit small on my wrist, it’s perfect for people with smaller wrists — women, kids, or anyone who prefers a lighter, compact fit.
You can pick between Starlight and Midnight colors. The aluminum body gives it that soft matte finish, though it’s a bit prone to scratches. So yeah, maybe grab a case if you’re not super careful.
And yes, we finally get an Always-On Display on the SE — no more awkward wrist flicking to check the time.
Display & Durability
It’s still a 1000-nit LTPO Retina display, sharp and bright enough even in harsh daylight. Apple also gave it a 4x better crack-resistant glass, matching the Series 11.
The bezels? Still chunky, not gonna lie. They’re less noticeable on the 44mm model, though, so go bigger if you care about screen-to-body ratio.
Performance & Connectivity
Here’s where things get interesting. The SE 3 now runs on the same S10 chip as the $400 Series 11 and even the $800 Ultra 3. That means speed and performance are identical across all three. The UI feels snappy, apps load instantly, and Siri actually responds quickly now — a small miracle.
And yep, 5G support is finally here (previous SE models were stuck with LTE). Will you notice it daily? Probably not. But for people who want to leave their phone behind — like runners, kids, or elderly users using fall detection — it’s a great option to have.
Fitness & Health Tracking
Apple quietly made this SE a serious fitness tracker.
You get heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, temperature sensing, sleep apnea alerts, and solid GPS accuracy (though not dual-band).
I tested its heart rate accuracy against the Polar H10 chest strap — one of the gold standards — and the SE3 was almost spot-on. It even outperformed some expensive fitness watches like Garmin and Whoop in intervals.
Sleep tracking is solid, but not perfect. The new Sleep Score system is simple — it mainly cares about three things:
- How long do you sleep
- How consistent is your bedtime?
- How often do you wake up
That’s it. It feels a little too basic, especially if you care about things like deep sleep cycles or heart rate variability. But if you just want a clear score and motivation to sleep better, it works.
GPS Accuracy
For outdoor runs, GPS performance is great in open areas. It stays on track and rarely drifts off. But when you’re between tall buildings or under bridges, it struggles a bit — that’s the trade-off for no dual-band GPS. Still, for this price, it’s accurate enough for daily workouts.
Battery Life & Charging
Battery life is the same old 18 hours — not amazing, but manageable. The good news is that fast charging has finally made it here. A quick 15-minute top-up in the morning gives you roughly 8 hours of use.
If you’re like me and charge while showering, it’s ready before you’re done.
Storage also doubled to 64GB, which is a nice bump if you want to keep songs, photos, or offline maps.
WatchOS 26: Small but Smart Updates
The new WatchOS 26 feels polished. The redesigned Smart Stack is actually useful — I swipe through my sleep score, weather, calendar, and reminders all in one place.
Siri is faster now thanks to on-device processing. You can also raise your wrist and talk without saying “Hey Siri,” which sounds convenient but sometimes triggers accidentally (especially if you talk with your hands like me).
You’ve still got all the essentials:
- Apple Pay
- Find My iPhone
- Fall & Crash Detection
- Compass Backtrack
- Noise level alerts
- Camera remote
- Breathing reminders
Basically, all the core Apple Watch magic remains intact.
Real-World Experience
In daily use, this watch just nails the basics. It’s fast, reliable, and incredibly accurate. Whether you’re tracking a workout, checking notifications, or paying with Apple Pay, it never misses a beat.
And yeah, I know — it doesn’t have ECG, blood oxygen, or satellite SOS. But be honest: how many people actually use those features daily?
For most people, the SE 3 covers everything you actually need without wasting your money.
Pros
- Same S10 chip as Series 11 and Ultra 3
- Always-on display
- Temperature sensor and sleep apnea detection
- Fast charging
- Lightweight, clean design
- Great accuracy for workouts
- Starts at just $249 — same price as three years ago
Cons
- Chunky bezels
- No dual-band GPS or ECG
- No satellite communication
- Basic sleep tracking logic
- Battery still capped at 18 hours
Also Read: iOS 26.1 Review — Apple’s Most Polished Update Yet (And That New “Liquid Glass” Feature Is Wild)
Final Verdict
If you want an Apple Watch that feels modern, runs fast, tracks accurately, and doesn’t drain your wallet — this is the one.
The SE 3 gives you 90% of the premium Apple Watch experience for almost half the price. Unless you specifically need ECG, dual-band GPS, or satellite SOS, the Apple Watch SE 3 is hands down the smartest choice for most people in 2025.
It’s reliable, fast, stylish, and surprisingly capable — and that’s exactly what most of us really need.
