Apple Watch SE 3 review

Apple Watch SE 3 is the cheapest way to get an Apple Watch, and its $249 price earns it a high value score. Apple's comparison lists an Always-On display up to 1000 nits in 40mm or 44mm aluminum, sleep tracking, sleep apnea notifications, a sleep score, wrist temperature sensing, cycle tracking, high and low heart rate notifications and irregular rhythm notifications. The S10 chip supports wrist flick and double tap gestures. Compared with Series 12, the comparison drops hypertension notifications and other heart features, Emergency SOS via satellite is absent, and battery is lower at up to 18 hours, or 32 hours in Low Power Mode. Charging from 0 to 80% takes about 45 minutes. It still requires an iPhone 11 or later with iOS 27. We compared documented features and published prices only.

Who it is for

iPhone owners on a budget or buying a first smartwatch

Price

From $249 one-time.

Apple Watch SE 3 From $249
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• 44mm or 40mm aluminum case with an Always-On display up to 1000 nits
• Sleep tracking, sleep apnea notifications and sleep score
• Wrist temperature sensing and cycle tracking
• S10 chip with wrist flick and double tap gestures
• Up to 18 hours of battery, or 32 hours in Low Power Mode

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: $150 less than Series 12
• Strength: Keeps sleep apnea notifications and wrist temperature sensing
• Strength: Fast charging: 15 minutes gives up to 8 hours
• Weakness: Apple lists fewer heart features than Series 12, with no hypertension notifications
• Weakness: Shortest battery on this list at up to 18 hours
• Weakness: Works only with iPhone 11 or later on iOS 27 or later

Key facts

• Price: From $249
• Phone: iPhone 11 or later, iOS 27 or later
• Battery: Up to 18 hours, 32 in Low Power Mode
• Display: Up to 1000 nits
• Chip: S10

Where it ranks

Apple Watch SE 3 is No. 4 in our Best Smartwatches verdict.