Apple quietly refreshed its entry-level smartwatch lineup with the Apple Watch SE 3, and it finally addresses some long-standing complaints.
Announced alongside the new iPhones, the SE 3 adds a faster S10 processor, an always-on display, stronger front glass, and slightly better battery life.
The 40mm starts at $249, preorders are live, and it ships September 19th. Apple also offers a 44mm model, both in midnight and starlight aluminum.
The SE 3 is still Apple’s budget watch, a mix of older parts and current tech. But this year it feels more capable.
The front crystal uses Apple’s Ion-X glass, now twice as scratch-resistant. Charging is twice as fast, and 5G cellular is included.
Gestures like double-tap and wrist-flick make navigation feel more intuitive, and the watch can play music and podcasts directly through its speaker.
Battery life is rated at 18 hours, which is solid for a full day of notifications, workouts, and media.
Apple also upgraded health tracking. The SE 3 adds a temperature sensor, retrospective ovulation estimates, sleep scores, and sleep apnea detection.
It still doesn’t have EKG or blood oxygen monitoring, but it closes the gap between the SE line and higher-end models in meaningful ways.
Software is another selling point. watchOS 26 introduces Apple’s Liquid Glass design across the interface and includes Workout Buddy, which provides real-time coaching audio during exercises. It makes the watch feel smarter and more responsive than past SE models.
The SE 3 is a clear step up from the 2022 SE, which lacked an always-on display and some of the newer health sensors.
For $249, it’s the most affordable way to get Apple’s latest watch experience without stepping up to the Series 11 or Ultra 3.
