Apple Watch SE 3 review: The easy choice

Finest Costs At present: Apple Watch SE 3

Final 12 months was a giant one for wearables, together with at least three new fashions from Apple. The flagship fashions may need received the limelight, however the SE 3 might be your best option for many iPhone customers. I’ve been testing it for 3 months to see the way it performs in day-to-day life.

In case you didn’t know, the SE mannequin is the finances choice in Apple’s vary, though it’s a tad complicated as a result of the cheaper iPhone has switched from iPhone SE to easily ‘e’.

Particular Version doesn’t actually really feel like the fitting description for a tool like this, however however, it’s now the perfect worth Apple Watch you will get. Why purchase a Collection 11? Properly, certainly.

Design & Construct

• Nonetheless appears the identical
• Obtainable in two sizes
• Solely two colors

At this level, with Apple seemingly unwilling to revamp the Apple Watch’s long-standing design, there’s not a lot to say concerning the SE 3 on this space.

It’s, nicely, one other Apple Watch – sq., with a digital crown on the facet in direction of the highest and a button beneath that.

Chris Martin / Foundry

This design has been the identical endlessly and whereas I nonetheless choose a round smartwatch, loads of folks on the market appear completely happy sufficient with the Apple Watch model.

It’s as soon as once more obtainable in 40- and 44mm sizes (I’m testing the smaller choice), however Apple has minimize down the colourway choices to only two – Midnight and Starlight, which suggests Silver is now not on the roster.

The construct stays aluminium relatively than the stainless-steel or titanium of extra premium Apple smartwatches, however this received’t matter to individuals who search worth.

The gadget is light-weight, comfy and nonetheless feels very nicely made. It’s additionally waterproof to 50m, which Apple calls “swimproof”.

Though the change is invisible, the most important improve to the design is the Ion-X glass, which Apple claims is 4 occasions extra sturdy (particularly crack-resistant) than the Watch SE 2. I’ve been carrying the SE 3 for 3 months now and there’s not even the tiniest mark on the glass, although I haven’t dropped it.

Display screen & Speaker

• Now always-on
• Nonetheless a chunky bezel
• No brighter than earlier than

As talked about above, the SE 3 is available in 40- and 44mm sizes, so the display is smaller than the Collection 11 fashions. That may be excellent news you probably have a small wrist. There’s one other optimistic, because it lastly has an always-on display.

This was one of many huge issues lacking from the SE sequence and it might, like me, have put you off contemplating one. It means you don’t want to lift your wrist or faucet the display to wake it up and get the time or see different data.

Thanks, Apple.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Elsewhere, the show is actually the identical, with an OLED panel that ensures popping colors and deep blacks. And it’s nonetheless that iconic 326 pixels per inch decision, aka Retina, which is completely crisp for an reasonably priced gadget.

The bezel continues to be very thick and makes the watch look relatively dated, however that’s simply one of many sacrifices you must settle for with an SE.

The Collection 11 has to look extra premium with its tiny bezel to distinguish, and it additionally has a display that’s twice as shiny. Nonetheless, I’ve not had any issues with the SE 3’s show at 1,000 nits – although I’ve been testing it within the winter, not in shiny daylight.

Chris Martin / Foundry

There’s additionally a speaker on the facet of the gadget, which means you may take cellphone calls or hearken to music and podcasts. I can’t think about wanting to utilize it, however it sounds first rate sufficient if it does attraction to you.

Efficiency & Software program

• S10 chip
• watchOS 26
• New gestures

Regardless of being the most affordable within the Apple Watch vary, the SE 3 nonetheless makes use of the identical S10 chip discovered within the Collection 11 and Extremely 3.

It’s no shock that efficiency is extraordinarily easy and I’ve not seen even a touch of a blip.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Onto software program then and it’s primarily extra of the identical as in years passed by, and that’s positive, particularly if you happen to’re used to Apple Watch. When you’re coming from one other platform, nevertheless, it might really feel fairly completely different.

The SE 3 comes with watchOS 26, which launched final September. The principle change visually is the introduction of Liquid Glass to match iOS 26. This translucent, glass-like impact divides opinion, however it’s much less seen on a smartwatch.

You’ll see it primarily in notifications in addition to Management Centre and Sensible Stack. I typically overlook Sensible Stack is there however it’s a ordinary space of the software program, displaying you playing cards for climate, images and exercise progress.

Sensible Stack is one place that you should utilize Apple’s sensible pinch gesture (not obtainable on the SE 2). Faucet your finger and thumb collectively twice and the watch will magically scroll by means of the Sensible Stack.

Wrist Flick is a brand new characteristic which I discover very helpful. Merely flick your wrist away from you and again to carry out duties akin to dismissing a notification, silencing an alarm, or ‘going again’ from a menu or app you’re viewing.

I’d nonetheless choose a round Apple Watch, however the software program expertise is definitely cohesive and nicely thought out.

Well being & Health Monitoring

• Stable core monitoring
• Some new options
• Misses out on others like ECG

Up to now, you may be questioning why you’d trouble spending extra on a Collection 11 or Extremely 3 – and also you’d have a degree.

We’ve arrived on the one space through which the SE 3 has important variations from its stablemates, although. Certain, it may do all of the core, fundamental stuff you’d count on a smartwatch to do, akin to coronary heart price monitoring, sleep monitoring (now with a rating) and Apple’s notorious exercise rings.

Chris Martin / Foundry

If options akin to hypertension (hypertension) notifications, ECG, and blood oxygen are must-haves, you’ll have to look elsewhere. It additionally lacks a water temperature sensor and depth gauge.

I’ve examined loads of smartwatches with superior sensors like these and so they don’t really feel that necessary to me, however they may be for you. The SE 3 does a superbly good job of reporting my exercise, sleep and routinely monitoring exercises with GPS, like taking the canine for a stroll.

It additionally positive factors wrist temperature monitoring, sleep apnea notifications and cycle monitoring with retrospective ovulation estimates.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Battery Life & Charging

• Nonetheless rated 18 hours
• Now has quick charging
• Practically 80% in half-hour in my testing

Regardless of numerous upgrades over the SE 2, battery life is static, with Apple nonetheless score it at 18 hours, or 32 hours in Low Energy Mode. It’s a disgrace and one of many greatest downsides to this smartwatch.

It may possibly definitely last more than that, and I’ve seen it go 24+ on days of lighter utilization, however I’ve additionally misplaced depend of the variety of occasions the wearable has died on me.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Many non-Apple smartwatches can go a number of days longer. For instance, the Huawei Watch Match 4 and CMF Watch 3 Professional can each final greater than per week.

Fortuitously, it’s now ‘Quick-charge succesful’, with Apple claiming you may rise up to an 80% cost in round 45 minutes.

I bought higher ends in my testing, with the Apple Watch SE 3 reaching 40% in quarter-hour and 78% in half-hour.

Retaining it topped up is simple… if you happen to keep in mind to do it earlier than leaving the home.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Value & Availability

It’s not quite common nowadays, however the Apple Watch SE 3 is available in on the identical worth as its predecessor.

Meaning it begins at £219/$249 for the smaller 40mm dimension and £249/$279 for the bigger 44mm. It’s essential to add additional in order for you 5G mobile information relatively than simply GPS.

You should buy it from Apple in addition to loads of retailers, together with Amazon, Argos, Very, Currys and John Lewis.

Within the US, head to BestBuy, Walmart and Goal.

On the time of writing, the smartwatch is well discovered for beneath £200 within the UK, making it even higher worth.

It places it firmly within the finances smartwatch class, providing glorious worth for cash, though you should purchase less expensive rivals in the event that they fit your wants.

Must you purchase the Apple Watch SE 3?

For many individuals, the Apple Watch SE 3 is the no-brainer of the present vary of Apple smartwatches.

It’s the most affordable and ticks all of the bins you probably need from a smartwatch. Plus, it’s the one approach to get a smaller 40mm dimension. Conversely, you may want one thing greater, in addition to extra selection than simply two colors.

It’s a case of doing the fundamentals nicely, gaining so much on its predecessor, together with an always-on display, quick charging, gestures, higher well being insights and a extra highly effective processor.

Specs

• watchOS 26
• 40/44mm aluminium case
• All the time-on OLED display, 1000 nits brightness
• S10 chip
• Coronary heart price monitoring
• Sleep monitoring with rating
• Pores and skin temperature
• Cycle monitoring with retrospective ovulation estimates
• Sleep apnoea notifications
• Automotive crash detection
• GPS + optionally available 5G
• Barometer
• All the time-on altimeter
• Elective mobile connectivity with worldwide roaming
• 18-hour battery life
• 32-hours with Low Energy mode
• 5ATM water resistance
• Launch colors: Starlight, Midnight