The First Impression: No Real FOMO Here
When Apple labels a product “affordable,” my gut instinct is usually to expect fewer features or a watered-down version of the real deal. After all, in tech, “budget” often translates to “settle for less.” But after wearing the Apple Watch SE 3 for almost a week, I found myself surprised — and honestly relieved.
Instead of constantly comparing it to the flagship Series 11 or the rugged Ultra 3, I realized I wasn’t missing much at all. In fact, the SE 3 held its own in ways that made me question why I’d pay double, or even triple, for the more expensive options.
For someone prone to tech FOMO (fear of missing out), that’s saying a lot.
Apple’s 2025 Lineup: A True Goldilocks Trio
Apple went with a “something for everyone” strategy this year. The lineup breaks down like this:
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Apple Watch Ultra 3: Rugged, oversized, packed with niche health and fitness sensors.
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Apple Watch Series 11: Sleeker flagship with premium screen, ECG and hypertension alerts.
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Apple Watch SE 3: Affordable entry point that shares the same powerful processor as the others.
At $249, the SE 3 isn’t exactly cheap, but when you realize it runs on the S10 processor — the same chip powering the Series 11 and Ultra 3 — it starts to look like a steal. You get blazing performance, Apple’s newest wellness features, and even 5G connectivity (on the cellular model), at less than half the price of the Ultra 3.
Always-On Display: Finally Here
One of my biggest gripes with earlier SE models was the lack of an always-on display (AOD). If you’ve ever tried sneaking a quick glance at the time mid-meeting or while jogging, you’ll understand. With SE 3, that missing piece is finally here.
The screen only fades if you disable it — otherwise, it stays subtly lit, making notifications and time-checking effortless. For me, this alone closed the gap with Apple’s pricier models. No more dramatic wrist raises just to see who texted.
And yes, adding AOD required better hardware. Thankfully, the S10 chip handles it effortlessly.
Performance and Battery Life: Flagship Speed on a Budget
Let’s be honest: no one buys a smartwatch expecting console-level gaming. Still, speed matters when flipping between apps, launching a workout, or checking notifications. With the SE 3’s S10 chip, I never noticed a hint of lag. Everything felt instantaneous, on par with the Series 11.
Battery life is another pleasant surprise. Apple claims 18 hours, but in real life, I regularly pushed 20 to 25 hours — even with AOD enabled, sleep tracking turned on, and a daily run logged. That puts it only slightly behind the Series 11 in my testing.
Fast charging seals the deal. Fifteen minutes on the charger got me 8 hours of use — enough for a full night of sleep tracking or a morning workout.
Health and Fitness Features: More Than the Basics
The SE 3 covers nearly everything the average person would want for fitness tracking:
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Dozens of workout modes, including swimming (water-resistant up to 50m).
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Crash detection, fall detection, and Emergency SOS.
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A temperature sensor that feeds into Apple’s Vitals reports and Cycle app.
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The new Sleep Score, rating your rest from 1–100.
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Workout Buddy, which provides real-time motivation when paired with an iPhone running Apple Intelligence.
During my tests, sleep tracking felt particularly polished. One morning after a late wedding night, my score tanked, even though I didn’t feel exhausted. It reminded me that health metrics aren’t just about numbers — they’re about context.
What’s Missing on SE 3?
Of course, some features are reserved for the premium models:
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ECG app (electrocardiogram)
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Blood oxygen tracking
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Hypertension notifications
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Larger, brighter, edge-to-edge display (exclusive to Series 10 and 11)
For most users, those omissions won’t matter. But if you have a family history of heart issues or high blood pressure, the lack of ECG and hypertension alerts could be a dealbreaker. Personally, this hit close to home — my father’s Apple Watch once helped detect an early heart condition. If I were in that situation, I’d consider paying extra for the Series 11.
Design and Comfort: Familiar but Lightweight
The SE 3 sticks to Apple’s classic aluminum look, available in 40mm and 44mm sizes with midnight or starlight finishes. I tested the 44mm starlight version, and while the display isn’t as bright as the Series 11, it felt crisp enough for daily use.
What stood out most was comfort. Compared to the hefty Ultra 3, the SE 3 felt almost weightless on my wrist. I wore it all day and night without irritation — something I can’t say about the Ultra.
Sure, if you’ve gotten used to the 49mm Ultra’s massive screen, the SE might feel cramped. But for most wrists, it strikes a practical balance.
Software Experience: No Compromises
The SE 3 ships with WatchOS 26, meaning it runs all the same software as Apple’s pricier models. Highlights include:
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The new liquid glass interface, with smooth animations and transparency effects.
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Redesigned Workout app, cleaner and easier to navigate.
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Notes app, letting you jot quick reminders directly on your wrist.
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Hands-free gesture controls (pinches, wrist flicks) for navigation.
In daily use, it felt every bit as capable as the Series 11. And the fact that Apple didn’t hold back gesture controls or software perks makes the SE 3 feel less like a “budget pick” and more like a smart compromise.
5G Connectivity: Future-Proofing the SE
Perhaps the boldest addition is 5G support on the cellular model. This means you can use the SE 3 more independently from your iPhone, whether that’s handing it to a child as their first device or leaving your phone behind on a run.
I haven’t fully stress-tested the 5G model yet, but in theory, faster and more reliable connections should make it much more versatile. The tradeoff? Running in 5G-only mode will shave about 2 hours off total battery life. Still, for parents considering the SE as a starter device for kids, the parental controls make it a compelling choice.
My Take: Who Should Buy the Apple Watch SE 3?
If you want:
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A fast, reliable Apple Watch at half the price of the Ultra,
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A smartwatch that covers 90% of the flagship features,
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And a device that doesn’t leave you feeling like you settled —
… then the Apple Watch SE 3 is absolutely worth it.
Yes, health-conscious buyers may lean toward the Series 11 for ECG and hypertension monitoring. And yes, display snobs might miss the edge-to-edge brightness. But for most people, the SE 3 is the sweet spot in Apple’s lineup.
Final Thoughts: Why This News Matters
Apple’s “budget” watch isn’t really budget at $249, but it’s proof that affordable doesn’t have to mean compromised. With the SE 3, you get the same performance as Apple’s top-tier watches, an always-on display, faster charging, 5G connectivity, and meaningful health upgrades.
When you step back, what really stands out is this: Apple is making its ecosystem more accessible without diluting the experience. That’s a win for new smartwatch users, parents looking for a kid-friendly option, and even long-time Apple fans who don’t need every high-end feature.
For me, the SE 3 is the first time I’ve worn an “affordable” Apple Watch and didn’t feel left out. No FOMO, no compromise — just a solid, well-rounded device that makes you question whether the flagship models are worth the splurge.
