Hello! I’m Yuan Hehe. Please follow me for more exciting content. Apple Watch SE3 review

In a year of lackluster updates to the flagship Apple Watch, the Apple Watch SE 3 stands out as the most improved model since its predecessor and a worthwhile purchase for most people.

Users now have many options when it comes to Apple Watch. There’s the Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch Ultra 3.

I set aside my year-old Apple Watch Series 10 to review the new SE 3. I wanted to see how it would compare.

Apple Watch SE 3 Review: Design

The Apple Watch SE 3 has undergone many changes. However, the overall design remains the same. It still looks almost identical to its predecessor. It’s actually more restrained, as Apple has cut one of the color options. The good news is that it’s still available in 40mm and 44mm sizes.

The display itself is an LTPO OLED, measuring 324 x 394 pixels in the 40mm version and 368 x 448 pixels in the 44mm version. This is slightly smaller than the largest 46mm, 416 x 496 pixel display on the Apple Watch Series 11.

The display’s brightness remains a high 1000 nits, but it can now be dimmed to just 2 nits for comfortable nighttime use. It’s also always on, so you don’t need to raise your wrist to check the time.

These are two incredibly useful changes for a watch. It’s almost not as bright when trying to watch it in bed or in a movie theater. Also, I don’t have to raise my wrist to check the time. I can see it with a glance at my wrist, which helps me to be more present in the moment.

The display is protected by new, more durable Ion-X glass. Apple claims it’s four times more crack-resistant than before. The back is made of nylon composite material, with a sapphire crystal covering the sensor in the center. It retains the same second-generation optical heart rate sensor as the previous model.

On the left, you’ll find a speaker grille with two narrow openings. This time, they double as media playback speakers. They’re not the best speakers, but better than nothing. On the right are side buttons for opening the control center. The digital crown handles scrolling, accessing the smart stack, and opening the app switcher.

Apple Watch SE 3 Review: Health Features

Health tracking is increasingly becoming central to the Apple Watch experience. Apple introduces new features year after year, designed to help users lead healthier lives.

In the third-generation Apple Watch SE, Apple introduced several new metrics. These are built upon older metrics, such as cycle tracking, sleep tracking, Emergency SOS, collision detection, fall detection, high heart rate alerts, low heart rate alerts, and irregular heart rate alerts.

New health features include sleep scoring—a feature also available on the previous Apple Watch SE—sleep apnea notifications, wrist temperature tracking, ovulation tracking reminders, and Siri access.

I believe these are the core features that will drive most people to buy an Apple Watch. These include children and seniors—two growing categories of Apple Watch users.

High blood pressure monitoring may require a third-generation optical sensor, which this model lacks. If you want this feature, you will need to purchase a more expensive model.

Apple Watch SE 3 Review: Internal Structure

The Apple Watch SE 3 features a completely redesigned internal architecture. This update improves performance and ensures compatibility with upcoming features. Apple has moved from the S8 SiP to the S10 SiP. This is essentially the same chip used in the Series 10, Series 11, and Ultra 3 models.

It’s definitely more powerful, capable of handling more robust processing, enabling new health features, and offering more ways to interact with the watch, such as gestures, which I’ll be introducing shortly.

It still lacks the U2 chip for precise location, but you can still use your watch to find your iPhone. Apple also took the opportunity to upgrade GPS, supporting the BeiDou GPS network, and offering 5G support as an option. 5G support is only available on cellular models and is reasonably priced.

Apple Watch SE 3 Review: Battery Life

Technically, the Apple Watch SE 3 doesn’t offer any improvements in battery life. Apple still rates it at 18 hours, the same as the previous generation and the Apple Watch Series 10. I also tested the new Apple Watch Series 11, which promises 24 hours of battery life. In practice, the difference was minimal.

You still need to charge it once a day. I have more flexibility with the Series 11’s battery life, but ultimately, they give me the same feeling.

I only fill it up when possible, usually during the day at my desk, so I have time to use the watch for sleep tracking. However, there is an upgrade in terms of power. The new model finally features fast charging.

Apple Watch SE 3 Review: Gestures

I wanted to separate the gestures into their own sections because they are among my favorite additions. I was fortunate enough to use the original double-tap gesture on the Apple Watch Series 10, and then watchOS 26 brought a whole new feature—the wrist flick.

I used these two gestures repeatedly throughout the day, and I find it hard to go back. I admit they might take some getting used to, but once you start using them, it’s hard to stop.

Apple Watch SE 3 Review: A Worth Buying

After all that, I’ve come to a very simple recommendation: the Apple Watch SE 3 is your best bet. It’s the most affordable and includes a ton of useful features. Furthermore, the S10 is just as powerful as the Apple Watch Ultra 3, but costs three times as much.

There are only two reasons to consider releasing another version of the Apple Watch in 2025. If you want a newer design or enhanced health features, you should opt for the more expensive model. Otherwise, the Apple Watch SE 3 can meet your needs. Its speed, gestures, health features, and more will appeal to all user groups.

Currently, the Apple Watch SE 3 is readily available for purchase by anyone with an older model or who is already part of the ecosystem. Its comprehensive health features also give you peace of mind.

Non-Apple Watch Option: LexisQ3

For those who prioritize functionality and battery life, and who don’t plan to be deeply tied to the iOS ecosystem, or who want a smartwatch that allows them to “do more things with a simple gesture,” the Lesti Q3 is a completely different but mature choice.

It features a 1.28-inch touchscreen (240×240), a restrained round dial design, and a compact 46×46×12mm body that is relatively easy to wear compared to similar products. Its functional focus is very clear: heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep monitoring operate around the clock, it covers all common sports modes, and it emphasizes complete recording rather than complex algorithms.

The biggest difference between the Q3 and Apple Watch lies in their usage logic. The Q3 supports NFC access card emulation, offline payment, music control, remote photography, sedentary reminders, and many other functions that do not rely on the system ecosystem or require frequent phone usage.

Battery life is one of its core advantages. With a built-in 260mAh battery, it lasts about 3–5 days with normal use and up to 10–15 days on standby, which is significantly different from the daily charging schedule of the Apple Watch.

It is compatible with both Android and iOS, and can be managed through the KaFit app, making it more suitable for users with multiple devices or cross-platform compatibility.

If you enjoyed this article, please consider giving a tip! Also, don’t forget to share, like, comment, and follow!