Apple Watch SE 3

The Apple Watch SE 3 is Apple's entry-level smartwatch, released on September 19, 2025, at $249 for the 40mm GPS model. It is powered by the S10 chip, the same processor used in the Apple Watch Series 10, and debuts the Always-On Retina OLED LTPO display, a first for the SE lineup, delivering 1000 nits peak brightness and 326 PPI. The aluminum case in 40mm weighs 26.3g, is rated WR50 (50m) for swimming, and uses ion-exchanged strengthened glass that is 4x more crack-resistant than the previous generation. For the first time in the SE line, the SE 3 includes ECG for atrial fibrillation detection, blood oxygen monitoring, wrist temperature sensing, and sleep apnea notifications. It also brings Crash Detection, heart rate irregularity alerts, sleep stage tracking, menstrual cycle tracking, and 80+ workout types with built-in GPS. The S10 chip enables 2x faster charging than the SE 2, adding up to 8 hours of use from a 15-minute charge. Battery life is rated at 18 hours. Connectivity includes Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, and NFC for Apple Pay. The Apple Watch SE 3 makes an unprecedented case for the SE lineup by adding ECG and blood oxygen at the entry-level price, closing the gap with the Series 10 on core health features while remaining $200 cheaper. The 18-hour battery still requires nightly charging, which may frustrate sleep tracking users. Its ecosystem advantage is unmatched for iPhone users: tight integration with Apple Health, iMessage, and the App Store makes it the most intuitive smartwatch option for the iOS platform at this price.