Apple Watch SE 3 review

Apple Watch SE 3 is the way into Apple Watch for iPhone owners who mostly want notifications, activity tracking, sleep data and Apple Pay. Apple lists sleep score, sleep apnea notifications, HRV, heart rate tracking, high and low heart rate alerts and irregular rhythm notifications, plus Fall Detection and Emergency SOS. The Always-On Retina display reaches up to 1000 nits, and the S10 chip runs Siri. What you give up is listed plainly on Apple's comparison: no Readiness app, no hypertension notifications, no ECG app and no Blood Oxygen app. Apple also says the ECG app is not available on any Apple Watch SE model. Battery is the other compromise, at up to 18 hours of normal use or 32 hours in Low Power Mode, though 15 minutes of fast charging gives up to 8 hours. At $249 in the US Apple Store it costs $150 less than Series 12, which makes it the best value for an iPhone owner who does not need heart rhythm checks.

Who it is for

iPhone owners on a budget

Price

From $249 for the 40mm aluminum model.

Apple Watch SE 3 From $249
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• Sleep score and sleep apnea notifications
• Always-On Retina display up to 1000 nits
• HRV, heart rate tracking and irregular rhythm notifications
• Fall Detection and Emergency SOS
• Up to 18 hours of normal use, 32 hours in Low Power Mode

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: $150 less than Apple Watch Series 12 at the starting size
• Strength: Keeps sleep score and sleep apnea notifications from the pricier models
• Strength: Fast charging gives up to 8 hours of use from 15 minutes
• Weakness: No ECG app, Blood Oxygen app or hypertension notifications
• Weakness: Up to 18 hours of normal use, the shortest battery life on this list
• Weakness: Requires iPhone 11 or later with iOS 27 or later

Key facts

• Starting price: $249
• Phones: iPhone 11 or later, iOS 27 or later
• Battery: Up to 18 hours, 32 in Low Power Mode
• Payments: Apple Pay
• ECG app: No

Where it ranks

Apple Watch SE 3 is No. 3 in our Best Smartwatches verdict.