This year, Apple released three new Apple Watch models: the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 3. If you received an Apple gift card over the holidays and are exploring the different models, we can help point you in the right direction.
With its $799 price tag, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is clearly aimed at a niche, high-end market and athletes. For most consumers, the purchasing decision likely lies between the Apple Watch SE 3 and the Apple Watch Series 11, starting at $249 and $399, respectively.
Despite its lower price tag, the Apple Watch SE 3 comes with much of the same software as the Series 11. If you’re looking for a straightforward smartwatch with essential features like step counting and sleep tracking, the SE 3 is an excellent and affordable choice.
While the Series 11 and Ultra 3 offer modest improvements over their predecessors, the SE 3 has received a significant upgrade from the SE 2. The smartwatch jumps from the S8 chip to the S10 and now features an always-on display, supports fast charging, offers better crack resistance, and introduces new health features. It also includes a wrist-temperature sensor for advanced sleep tracking and retrospective ovulation insights. Although it’s not as flashy as the Series 11 and Ultra 3, it definitely stands out and packs great value, especially for first-time buyers and younger users. The gap between the standard and budget smart watches has never felt smaller.
Of course, if you want access to more advanced health features, better battery life, and a larger display, the Series 11 would be the better option for your needs. But, it’s worth comparing both models because the SE 3 might be all you need.
We’ll walk you through the similarities and differences between the two smart watches to help inform your decision.
The Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE 3 share many key features. Both models come with the same S10 chip, which means there won’t be significant differences in performance. They each have an always-on Retina display, allowing you to see the watch face and time even when your wrist is down.
For health, both watches feature high and low heart rate notifications, irregular rhythm notifications, and low cardio fitness notifications. They include wrist flick and double tap gestures for controlling notifications and actions. Both models offer Emergency SOS, fall detection, and crash detection. They are water resistant to 50 meters, suitable for swimming.
Each watch provides sleep tracking with a Sleep Score and temperature sensing for nightly wrist temperature changes. They offer cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates. Both have fast charging capabilities and a Find iPhone feature, though the Series 11 adds precision finding.
There are several important differences between the models. The Series 11 has a battery life of up to 24 hours, extending to 28 hours in low-power mode. The SE 3 lasts up to 18 hours, or 32 hours in low-power mode.
The Series 11 includes more advanced health features like hypertension notifications, an electrical heart sensor, an ECG app, and a Blood Oxygen app, which the SE 3 does not have.
For the display, the Series 11 reaches up to 2000 nits of brightness and uses a wide-angle OLED, while the SE 3 goes up to 1000 nits with a simple OLED display.
The Series 11 is available in 46mm and 44mm sizes with aluminum or titanium cases. The SE 3 comes in 44mm and 40mm sizes with an aluminum case only. The Series 11 is also almost 10% thinner than the SE 3.
Color options differ as well. The Series 11 comes in aluminum colors like Jet Black, Silver, Rose Gold, and Space Gray, and titanium colors like Natural, Gold, and Slate. The SE 3 comes in Midnight Aluminum and Starlight Aluminum.
Other smaller differences include the Series 11 having a depth gauge to six meters, a water temperature sensor, a 1 nit minimum brightness, and certified IP6X dust resistance. The SE 3 has a 2 nit minimum brightness.