The third version of the Apple Watch is still a great all-round smartwatch despite being superseded.
The Apple Watch 3 (or Apple Watch Series 3 if you’re being particular) has been superseded several times over, most recently by the Apple Watch 6, and Apple Watch SE – the latter of which could be a real rival for it, since they’re both budget models. But the Watch 3 remains for sale on Apple’s official store – which is more than we can say for the Apple Watch 4 or even the Apple Watch 5 – and it has been discounted heavily now, too. Specs and features-wise, it’s about on par with the newer Apple Watch SE, though likely for a lower cost. That cost could drop even more during Amazon Prime Day 2021, where older gadgets like the Apple Watch 3 reliably get discounted. Check our guide to see what to look for in Apple Watch deals when Amazon Prime Day starts on June 21. The Watch 3 is available in two forms – one with cellular connectivity, and one with just GPS. As the replacement for the Apple Watch 2, this device was the flag-bearer for fitness and longevity, with run and cycle tracking on board and a water-resistant casing for swimming, plus the same heart rate monitor on the underside. And while newer models pack in extra features and faster chipsets, Apple has kept supporting the Apple Watch 3 with software updates, most recently watchOS 7, which adds sleep tracking, new workouts, and a whole lot more. Update: watchOS 8 was announced at WWDC 2021, bringing more software and features when it fully launches later this year – and yes, it’s compatible with the Apple Watch 3. Eager fans can get the developer preview now if they’re part of the developer program, or join the public beta in July. At launch in late 2017, the Apple Watch 3 was the most expensive wearable the company sold but now the price has shrunk since the launch of the Apple Watch Series 4 and Apple Watch 5. It’s still not an inherently cheap smartwatch, but it’s a lot more affordable now. There are two variants of the Apple Watch 3, one with LTE / cellular capabilities and one with just GPS onboard. The former costs £299 / $299 / AU$469 / AED 1,199 or £329 / $329 / AU$519 / AED 1,329 (for the 38mm and 42mm bands respectively) these days thanks to a serious discount after the release of the Apple Watch 5. The 3 series GPS version is much cheaper at £199 / $199 / AU$319 for the 38mm and £229 / $229 / AU$369 for the 42mm. It’s worth noting also that while Apple has discontinued the Apple Watch 4 and 5, you can still get the Apple Watch 3 direct from the company, so it’s easy to get hold of. The biggest upgrade the Apple Watch 3 brought was its own cellular connection inside, so it can work independently of your phone. Does that mean you can buy one without owning an iPhone? Sadly not… not by a long way. In reality it means that you can receive phone calls and some app notifications when your phone is at home, but otherwise it’s totally dependent on your handset. In terms of notifications, if the app you want to use hasn’t been upgraded to work in ‘standalone mode’ (as in, doesn’t need a phone connection to function) then you won’t get updates and notifications even if the LTE connection is enabled.
