The Apple Watch SE 3 updates the budget-friendly model with features from last year’s Series 10, while the Ultra 3 introduces improved display tech and new satellite connectivity. I had the chance to try both at the company’s launch event and came away impressed.
CUPERTINO—Alongside the flagship Series 11, Apple refreshed the rest of its smartwatch lineup during its iPhone 17 launch event. The budget-minded Apple Watch SE 3 upgrades its predecessor with the S10 chip of the Series 10, while keeping the price consistent. The premium Ultra 3 costs the same as the last generation as well, while adding an ultra-wide display and satellite connectivity for communication in emergencies. I spent time with all three watches at Apple’s launch event, and already detailed my first impressions of the Series 11. Here’s what stood out to me about the SE3 and the Ultra 3. Apple’s $249 Watch SE 3 Feels Like a Flagship
The most affordable member of the Apple Watch lineup, the SE 3 closes the gap with the mainline Series models thanks to an always-on display, gesture controls, onboard Siri processing, music playback, wrist temperature sensing, sleep apnea notifications, and ovulation estimates. It uses the S10 chip of the Apple Watch Series 10, and will be functionally quite similar to last year’s flagship Apple Watch. As a durability upgrade, it has the same Ion-X glass as the Series 11 for improved scratch resistance compared with the second-gen SE and the Series 10.
During my hands on time with the SE 3, I noticed a step down in screen quality when compared with the Series 11, but that difference would be much less noticeable when not looking at the models side by side. Otherwise, it feels like a mainline Apple Watch.
