At a Glance
- Apple released three new Watch models: Series 11, SE 3, Ultra 3.
- Ultra 3 costs $799 and targets athletes; SE 3 starts at $249, Series 11 at $399.
- SE 3 upgraded to the S10 chip, adds an always-on display, fast charging, wrist-temperature sensor, and new health features.
- Why it matters: Picking the right model hinges on budget, display size, and the level of health tracking you need.
Apple’s latest watch lineup offers a clear price ladder: the high-end Ultra 3, the mid-tier Series 11, and the budget-friendly SE 3. While the Ultra 3 is aimed at athletes, the SE 3 and Series 11 share many features but differ in display, battery, and health capabilities. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right watch for your lifestyle.
Choosing the Right Apple Watch
If you’re price-sensitive, the SE 3’s $249 entry point is hard to beat. The Series 11, priced at $399, offers a larger display and more advanced health sensors. The Ultra 3, at $799, is designed for extreme sports and includes a depth gauge and higher brightness.
- $249 – SE 3
- $399 – Series 11
- $799 – Ultra 3
Shared Features
Both the Series 11 and SE 3 run the S10 chip and support an always-on Retina display, making the watch face visible at all times. They also share heart-health notifications, wrist-flick and double-tap gestures, emergency SOS, fall and crash detection, 50-meter water resistance, sleep tracking with a Sleep score, cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates, fast charging, and Find iPhone with precision finding for Series 11.
- S10 chip
- Always-on Retina display
- Heart-health notifications
- Wrist-flick & double-tap gestures
- Emergency SOS
- Fall & crash detection
- 50-meter water resistance
- Sleep tracking & Sleep score
- Cycle tracking with ovulation estimates
- Fast charging
- Find iPhone (precision on Series 11)
Key Differences
The two models diverge in battery life, health sensors, display brightness, size, color options, and case material. The Series 11 offers up to 24 h (28 h low-power mode) versus 18 h (32 h low-power mode) for the SE 3. Health features such as hypertension alerts, an electrical heat sensor, ECG, and Blood O₂ app are exclusive to the Series 11.
| Feature | Series 11 | SE 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 24 h (28 h low-power) | 18 h (32 h low-power) |
| Health sensors | Hypertension, ECG, Blood O₂, heat sensor | S10 chip, wrist-temp, basic heart-rate |
| Display brightness | 2000 nits | 1000 nits |
| Size | 46 mm / 44 mm | 44 mm / 40 mm |
| Color | Aluminum: Jet Black, Silver, Rose Gold, Space Gray; Titanium: Natural, Gold, Slate | Midnight Aluminum, Starlight Aluminum |
| Case material | Aluminum / Titanium | Aluminum |
| Thickness | ~10 % thinner | – |
The Series 11 also includes a depth gauge to 6 meters, a water-temperature sensor, 1 nit minimum brightness, and IP6X dust resistance, features absent from the SE 3.
Key Takeaways
- The SE 3 offers great value at $249 for first-time buyers.
- The Series 11 justifies its $399 price with a larger display, higher brightness, and advanced health sensors.
- Ultra 3 remains the premium choice for athletes at $799.
Whether you prioritize affordability, a larger display, or advanced health monitoring, Apple’s new lineup gives you a clear choice. The SE 3 delivers great value for first-time buyers, while the Series 11 offers the features that justify its higher price.
