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Apple Watch SE 3
Apple

Watch SE 3

Apple's $249 SE 3 adds an always-on screen and the S10 chip, but it skips ECG and blood oxygen.

Smartwatches
8.7/10What the pros sayExcellentExpert consensus · Verified Oct 8, 2026See score breakdown ↓
Buying call

Buy the Apple Watch SE 3 if you have an iPhone and want Apple's safety and health basics for the least money: Apple lists it from $249 (Oct 8, 2026). You get the S10 chip, an always-on display, sleep apnea notifications, wrist temperature and fall and crash detection, and reviewers called it the best value in smartwatches. Skip it if you want ECG or blood-oxygen readings, which need the $399 Series 12. Apple rates battery at 18 hours, or 32 in Low Power Mode, so sleep tracking means charging every day.

Full verdict ↓
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Real-world useBased on everyday testing, not a spec sheet
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Watch SE 3Check priceSee price
Key specs
Battery life
18
Display
44 mm
Weight
26.3 g (40mm GPS) / 32.9 g (44mm)
Water resistance
50 m (ISO 22810:2010)
Highlights

Specs that matter

Display
Panel
OLED
Brightness
1000 nits
Performance
Processor
S10 chip with 64-bit dual core processor
Body
Dimensions
height: 44mm; width: 38mm; depth: 10.7mm
At a glance

Product highlights

Verified attributes, grouped for quick scanning.

DisplayOLEDOLED
ChipsetS10 chip with 64-bit dual core processor
20 attributes · See all specifications
Price & availability

Where to buy

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Buying decision

Should you buy it?

Buy the Apple Watch SE 3 if you have an iPhone and want Apple's safety and health basics for the least money: Apple lists it from $249 (Oct 8, 2026). You get the S10 chip, an always-on display, sleep apnea notifications, wrist temperature and fall and crash detection, and reviewers called it the best value in smartwatches. Skip it if you want ECG or blood-oxygen readings, which need the $399 Series 12. Apple rates battery at 18 hours, or 32 in Low Power Mode, so sleep tracking means charging every day.

Best for

iPhone owners, kids and first-time buyers who want core Apple Watch features at the lowest price.

Not for

Anyone who wants ECG, blood oxygen or multiday battery.

Main strengthAlways-on display and S10 chip in Apple's cheapest watch
Main weaknessNo ECG or blood-oxygen sensor
Reasons to buy
Always-on display and S10 chip in Apple's cheapest watch
Sleep apnea notifications, wrist temperature and crash detection
Fast charging and an optional 5G model
Comfortable, light design
Reasons to avoid
No ECG or blood-oxygen sensor
18-hour battery rating
Dated design with thick bezels
Measured view8.7/10What the pros say · verified oct 8, 2026.
ScoreVerified Oct 8, 2026
Independent coverage

What other reviewers say

Reviews from other sites and creators. They don't change the Gadget Clash score.

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CNET9/10
Article · Full reviewI Tested the Apple Watch SE 3 and Didn’t Feel Any FOMOVanessa Hand Orellana · Oct 2025Read on CNET ↗
The Verge9/10
Article · Full reviewApple Watch SE 3 review: major glow-upVictoria Song · Sep 2025Read on The Verge ↗
Tom's Guide4/5
Article · Full reviewApple Watch SE 3 reviewKate Kozuch · Sep 2025Read on Tom's Guide ↗
DesFitApple Watch SE 3 In-Depth Review // All This For Just $250?!Watch on YouTube ↗
The Quantified ScientistApple Watch SE 3 - Scientific Initial Review (GREAT on a Budget!)Watch on YouTube ↗
CNETApple Watch SE 3: The $250 Smartwatch That Beats My FOMO | All Things MobileWatch on YouTube ↗
Head to head

How it stacks up

Open a comparison for the full side-by-side view.

Choose a gadget
Apple Watch SE 3
This deviceWatch SE 3
VS
AlternativeWatch Series 6
Chipset
S10 chip with 64-bit dual core processorS6 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor
Full comparison
Apple Watch SE 3
This deviceWatch SE 3
VS
AlternativeWatch Series 5
Chipset
S10 chip with 64-bit dual core processorS5 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor
Full comparison
Apple Watch SE 3
This deviceWatch SE 3
VS
Watch Series 7
AlternativeWatch Series 7
Chipset
S10 chip with 64-bit dual core processorS7 with 64-bit dual-core processor
Full comparison
Same category

Alternatives worth a look

Other phones in the database, with their stored scores and prices.

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8.5
AppleWatch Series 11S10 chip with 64-bit dual-core processor
8.6
AppleWatch Series 10S10 SiP with 64-bit dual core processor
Watch Ultra 28.7
AppleWatch Ultra 2S9 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor
Watch Series 98.5
AppleWatch Series 9S9 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor
Product data

Full specifications

20 attributes, grouped for quick scanning. Verified Oct 8, 2026. Spot a wrong value? Hit the next to it.

Battery

Battery life
18

Display

Display
44 mm
Display type
Always-On Retina display with OLED and LTPO
Brightness
1000
Always-on display
✓

Performance

Neural engine
4-core Neural Engine

Connectivity

Bluetooth
5.3
Wi‑Fi
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)

Body

Weight
26.3 g (40mm GPS) / 32.9 g (44mm)
Water resistance
50 m (ISO 22810:2010)
Dimensions
44 x 38 x 10.7 mm
Vote & discuss

Community says

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Watch SE 3No store price yetSpecs
Apple Watch SE 3 Specs, Price & Features | Gadget Clash