Apple Watch SE 3 release date, price and features
Apple has now officially launched the Apple Watch SE 3 alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the iPhone 17.
Blending advanced health, fitness, connectivity, and safety tools with the power of the S10 chip – all at an affordable price – the Apple Watch SE 3 could easily become a fan favorite.
This new model builds on the previous generation’s health tracking, now offering sleep score tracking, retrospective ovulation estimates, sleep apnea alerts, and wrist temperature sensing for more detailed insights inside the Vitals app.
Fitness tracking has also leveled up, giving users more personalized motivation and real-time guidance throughout the day. Running on the same S10 chip as the Apple Watch Ultra 3, the SE 3 supports an Always-On display, intuitive double-tap and wrist-flick gestures, on-device Siri, and faster charging speeds.
Apple also added 5G connectivity and a tougher cover glass for better everyday durability. And with watchOS 26, the SE 3 gets a refreshed interface featuring Liquid Glass, new watch faces, and an AI-powered Workout Buddy designed for smarter, more adaptive training sessions.
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Apple Watch SE 3 release date
The new Watch SE 3 launched on September 9, 2025.
| Device model | Release date |
|---|---|
| Apple Watch SE 1 | September 15, 2020 |
| Apple Watch SE 2 | September 7, 2022 |
| Apple Watch SE 3 | September 9, 2025 |
Apple tends to stick to a two-year cycle for its SE models: the original Watch SE launched in 2020, followed by the second generation in 2022. However, the tech giant did not launch the third generation as previously expected alongside the iPhone 16 series and the Apple Watch Series 10.
Apple Watch SE 3 price
| Device model | 40mm | 44mm |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch SE 1 | From $279 | From $309 |
| Apple Watch SE 2 | From $249 | From $279 |
| Apple Watch SE 3 | From $249 | From $279 |
Apple Watch SE 3 design
Image by Apple
Apple Watch SE 3 keeps the familiar aluminum design but introduces tougher materials for everyday durability.
The cover glass is made from a custom Ion-X material that is four times more resistant to cracks than before, making it the most durable glass ever used in a smartwatch. Available in 40 mm and 44 mm sizes, the case comes in midnight and starlight finishes, offering a lightweight yet sturdy build.
It's nothing radical in terms of design, but one can't expect such a move from Apple for their cheapest wrist wearable, right?
Apple Watch SE 3 display
With the S10 chip, Apple Watch SE 3 now features an Always-On Retina display for the first time, allowing users to see the time, notifications, and workout metrics at a glance. The screen is brighter, more responsive, and built for convenience so users no longer need to raise their wrist to check information.
Combined with the tougher glass, the display is designed to withstand daily wear while remaining clear and easy to read.
Apple Watch SE 3 battery
Despite gaining an Always-On display, Apple Watch SE 3 maintains up to 18 hours of all-day battery life, Apple claims.
Fast charging is a new addition, making it much easier to top up throughout the day or before bed. The watch charges up to twice as fast as its predecessor, reaching about 80% in 45 minutes.
A quick 15-minute charge provides around eight hours of use, making overnight wear for sleep tracking more practical.
Apple Watch SE 3 features and software
Image by Apple
WatchOS 26 brings new experiences to Apple Watch SE 3, with a refreshed interface featuring Liquid Glass, updated watch faces, and Smart Stack widgets. Fitness gets a major boost with Workout Buddy, powered by Apple Intelligence, which gives personalized spoken motivation during workouts based on real-time metrics.
The watch also introduces sleep score, wrist temperature sensing, retrospective ovulation estimates, and sleep apnea notifications, building on core health features like Cycle Tracking and heart health alerts.
- A variety of watch faces: Choose from many designs to customize your watch’s look.
- Support for watchOS apps: Access a range of apps like Reminders, Activity, Messages, Heart Rate, Settings, and Mail, plus many more from the App Store.
- Heart rate tracking: Get notifications for high and low heart rates.
- Activity tracking: Monitor calories burned, steps taken, distance walked, sleep, and even cycle tracking.
- Siri: Always accessible right on your wrist.
- Fall detection and crash detection: Enhanced safety features.
- Family Setup: Pair the watch with your iPhone, but let your kids use it.
Safety remains a key part of the experience with tools such as Fall Detection, Crash Detection, Emergency SOS, and Check In.
Apple Watch SE 3 hardware
|
|
|
| Apple Watch SE (2022) | Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm) | Apple Watch SE 3 (44mm) |
Display
| Size | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1.8-inch, 61.24% screen-to-body | 1.6-inch, 57.48% screen-to-body | 1.8-inch |
| Type | ||
| OLED, 2000 nits | OLED, 1000 nits | OLED, 1000 nits |
| Resolution | ||
| 448x368px, 322 PPI | 394x324px, 325 PPI | 394x368px, 303 PPI |
| Features | ||
| Pressure-sensitive, Scratch-resistant glass, Ambient light sensor | Pressure-sensitive, Scratch-resistant glass, Ambient light sensor | |
See the full
Apple Watch SE (2022) vs Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm) vs Apple Watch SE 3 (44mm) specs comparison
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At the center of SE 3 is the S10 chip – the same as on the $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3 – which enables faster performance, on-device Siri with health data access, and new one-handed interactions like double tap and wrist flick gestures.
It also brings improved audio, with Voice Isolation enhancing call clarity and the ability to play music and podcasts directly through the watch’s speaker. Cellular models now support 5G, offering faster downloads and more efficient power use when away from iPhone. Altogether, the hardware upgrades make Apple Watch SE 3 more powerful and versatile while keeping its entry-level positioning.
Review
The Apple Watch SE 3 is a solid starting point if you have been curious about what makes Apple's smartwatches so popular. It is compatible with all the existing wristbands released over the years, ships with WatchOS 26, and packs most of the modern Apple Watch features.
Sure, there are other fitness trackers and smartwatches in the same price range that might outshine it in specific areas. Some Garmin models, for example, can last significantly longer on a single charge, while certain fitness trackers might do a better job tracking runs or longer workout sessions.
But finding a wearable that balances features, software, user experience, and iPhone integration as seamlessly as the Apple Watch SE 3 is a real challenge.
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