Apple Watch SE 3 Steals Show with $249 Price & S10 Power

Apple's 2025 smartwatch lineup brings some compelling choices, but there's one model that's quietly stealing the show. The Apple Watch SE 3 just landed with major upgrades that make it surprisingly competitive with its premium siblings. The Apple Watch SE 3 sports the brand's latest S10 processor, the very same one found in the $399 Apple Watch Series 11 and $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3. Plus, the Apple Watch SE 3 is the first SE model with an always-on display, finally addressing one of the biggest complaints about previous budget models. At just $249, this could be the smartwatch sweet spot you've been waiting for. On paper, it looks mid-range. On wrist, not so much.

What makes the SE 3 surprisingly powerful

Here's where things get interesting, performance. The Ultra 3, Series 11, and SE 3 all sport the same, cutting-edge S10 processor, so Apple's entry-level wearable keeps pace with its highest-end model. Budget label, flagship speed.

In real-world testing, the SE 3 performs in line with the Series 11 and Ultra 3. Apps launch instantly, whether you are opening the Workout app for a morning run or checking your heart rate mid-exercise. Navigation through watchOS 26 feels fluid with the new Liquid Glass updates, and Apple says it's up to 30% faster with the GPU and has 60% more transistors in the CPU compared to the previous SE 2. You notice it when scrolling photos, starting workouts, or firing up third-party apps.

The always-on display is a true quality-of-life upgrade. This is a first for SE models, and means that the display no longer fades to black after a few seconds. A quick glance during a meeting, on the train, in the checkout line, and the time is right there.

During extensive testing, gesture controls like Double Tap and the new Wrist Flick work just as smoothly here as they do on the premium models. The SE 2 was released three years ago and powered by the S8 chip, so the jump to S10 feels like a genuine leap forward.

Battery life that actually delivers

Let's talk about a daily reality, battery life. The Apple Watch SE 3 offers an estimated 18 hours of battery life, and in real-world use, the watch's battery life lived up to its 18-hour claims. With lighter days and smart settings, the Apple Watch SE 3 can last nearly two full days on a single charge in real-world testing.

Charging got faster too. The Apple Watch SE 3 has two times faster charging than the previous generation, and just 15 minutes on the charger results in 8 hours of battery life. Need a quick top-up? The watch can go from 0 to 80% in 45 minutes with fast charging. That is a big step up from the SE 2, which did not support fast charging at all.

PRO TIP: That 15-minute charge for 8 hours of use is perfect for those "oh no, I forgot to charge it overnight" moments. Just pop it on the charger while you're getting ready in the morning.

For context, while the Series 11 offers 38 hours of juice in low-power mode, and the Ultra 3 lasts for up to 72 hours, the SE 3's mix of solid day-long endurance and fast charging fits most routines. Unless you are planning multi-day hikes or you refuse to charge devices, it covers the bases.

Health features that matter most

The SE 3 does not carry every sensor Apple makes, but it nails the basics. The SE 3 now rates sleep based on duration, bedtime consistency, and interruptions to deliver a nightly score. The Sleep Score gives you a rating, Very Low, Low, OK, High, or Excellent, and a score from 0 to 100.

Beyond sleep, you get comprehensive health monitoring tools, including sleep scoring, wrist temperature tracking, ovulation estimates, and sleep apnea notifications. The watch features a temperature sensing capability for users tracking their menstrual cycle, and it uses the same second-generation heart rate sensor stack as the SE 2, providing monitoring with alerts for low, high, and irregular rhythms.

During comparative testing, the SE 3 delivered remarkably similar results to the premium models. In side-by-side use with the Series 11 and Ultra 3, it produced similar results for workouts, sleep, and heart rate. Whether you are logging a 30-minute HIIT session or checking last night's sleep, the core metrics line up closely.

What's missing? The SE 3 misses some meaningful upgrades such as ECG updates, Blood Oxygen monitoring, Hypertension Detection, and Emergency SOS via satellite. For most people focused on fitness tracking, sleep monitoring, and basic health metrics, the SE 3 still covers the everyday essentials.

Design and durability improvements

The SE 3 keeps the classic Apple Watch look, then quietly toughens it up. The Apple Watch SE 3 is more durable than its predecessor thanks to an all-aluminum case design and a 4x more crack-resistant screen. The Apple Watch SE 3 features an Ion-X display coating, which offers quadruple the scratch resistance of its predecessor's glass.

Size-wise, the case is two millimeters smaller than the Apple Watch Series 11's, and the display area is the smallest out of the watch lineup. Some might see that as a downside, yet the watch's smaller build made it easy to exercise and sleep with it. Lightweight on a run, unobtrusive overnight, comfortable all day.

There are a few trade-offs with the screen. The watch's brightness is 1,000 nits, the lowest out of the lineup, and the bezels are a bit thicker, which can make it harder to see in direct sunlight. Indoors, or in mixed shade, it reads cleanly. The flatter, classic face avoids the new sloped edges and still feels reassuringly durable.

Who should buy the SE 3 (and who shouldn't)

If you are buying your first Apple Watch or shopping on a budget, start here. The Apple Watch SE 3 is recommended for first-time buyers and budget shoppers. This model is particularly suited for first-time smartwatch users, students, or individuals seeking a straightforward device that covers the essentials. At $150 less than the Series 11, you get the core Apple Watch experience without the premium price.

You should look elsewhere if you want a bigger screen or if you frequently run the battery down without time to charge. The smaller display and battery life are less suitable for users who have trouble reading and interacting with small screens or letting devices die before recharging. If you need advanced health features like ECG or blood oxygen monitoring for medical purposes, the Series 11 is the smarter pick. And the watch is not recommended as a standalone device for people who want to use it as a standalone phone.

For everyone else, the SE 3 is an easy yes. After nearly a week with the Apple Watch SE 3, it's the best Apple Watch for most people if you can live without the latest design and advanced health features. Flagship performance, essential health tracking, and that $249 price make it a value standout for 2025.

The smartwatch sweet spot Apple finally nailed

Here is why the SE 3 works, it feels like Apple's most strategic budget update in years. The Apple Watch SE 3 is Apple's most complete budget-friendly smartwatch to date, finally adding an Always-On display, 5G connectivity, on-device Siri, and expanded health features. The Apple Watch SE 3 delivers two-day battery life, a top-of-the-line processor, an always-on display, and upgraded sensors and software for the same price as its predecessor.

The timing tells the story. While Apple iterates annually on Ultra and Series, this is the first in three years that Apple has updated its most affordable smartwatch. The wait paid off, features once reserved for premium models now land in a device that does not feel compromised.

What stands out is how the SE 3 delivers where it matters. The S10 chip keeps everything smooth, the always-on display removes the biggest annoyance of older SE models, and fast charging keeps you moving. Even niceties like gesture controls and voice isolation for calls make their way to the entry tier.

If you want in on the Apple ecosystem or you are upgrading from an older watch, the SE 3 is the right entry point. You get the core Apple Watch experience, solid health tracking, confident performance, and modern conveniences like fast charging and an always-on display. Unless you specifically need the advanced health sensors or extra-rugged build of the higher-end models, the SE 3 gives you what makes the Apple Watch great at a price that finally makes sense.