Apple Watch SE Vs Series 3 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Apple Watch SE & Series 3 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Apple Watch SE rather than the Apple Watch 3.

Why Do I Recommend Apple Watch SE

  • The Apple Watch SE has an advanced S5 chip for faster performance, improved health monitoring, & smoother app navigation, compared to the Apple Watch 3’s S3
  • Apple Watch SE  has a Larger Retina LTPO OLED44mm display, which is more vibrant and offers larger visuals than the Series 3‘s smaller display.
  • It features a 2nd-generation heart rate sensor, which is more accurate in tracking your heart rate during workouts or daily activities than the older 1st-gen sensor on the Series 3.
  • The SE includes advanced safety features like Fall Detection and Crash Detection, which automatically alert emergency services if the user has a hard fall or is involved in a crash. The Series 3 lacks these features.
  • Apple Watch SE has a compass to track direction during outdoor activities and enhance hiking and workout experiences, while the Series 3 lacks a compass.
  • It comes with a 32 GB storage capacity to install more apps, download more music, and save more data, compared to 8 GB on the Series 3
  • The Apple Watch SE has an altimeter that is always on and continuously measures elevation, while the Series 3 has an altimeter, but it’s not always on.
  • It has the advantage of international emergency calling, available on the GPS + Cellular model to contact emergency services globally without needing an iPhone nearby. The Series 3 does not have this capability.
  • Upgraded Bluetooth 5 in the SE ensures a more stable connection, improved range, and potentially lower latency than Bluetooth 4.2 in the Series 3.

Maybe the Apple Watch 3 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Apple Watch SE. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

FeatureApple Watch SEApple Watch 3
Release DateSeptember 2020September 2017
Display TypeRetina LTPO OLEDRetina OLED
Display Resolution (44mm/42mm)368 x 448 pixels (44mm)312 x 390 pixels (42mm)
Display Size Options40mm and 44mm38mm and 42mm
Display Area977 sq mm (44mm), 759 sq mm (40mm)740 sq mm (42mm), 563 sq mm (38mm)
ProcessorS5 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processorS3 SiP with 32-bit dual-core processor
Processor Speed2x faster than Series 3Standard S3 
Wireless ChipW3 wireless chipW2 wireless chip
Connectivity OptionsBluetooth 5.0, Bluetooth 4.2
Fall DetectionYesNo
CompassYesNo
Always-On AltimeterYesNo
Storage32GB internal storage8GB internal storage
Battery LifeUp to 18 hoursUp to 18 hours
Water Resistance50 meters (swim-proof)50 meters (swim-proof)
Heart Rate Sensor2nd-generation optical heart rate sensor1st-generation optical heart rate sensor
International Emergency CallingYesNo
Family SetupSupportedNot supported
Haptic Feedback Digital CrownYesNo
Noise MonitoringYesNo
Crash DetectionYesNo
GyroscopeYes (Improved version)Yes (Basic version)
Siri ActivationRaise to speak, always-on capabilityPress and hold side button
Software SupportwatchOS 10 and future updateswatchOS 8 
Emergency SOSYes, enhanced with international capabilitiesYes, standard 
Charging Cable TypeUSB-C magnetic charging cableUSB-A magnetic charging cable
PriceCheck SE PriceCheck Watch 3 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Operating System: Both the Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch Series 3 run watchOS, Apple’s operating system designed for the Apple Watch. While the Series 3 is limited to watchOS 8 and won’t receive future updates, the overall core experience remains similar between both devices. Both support features like Activity Rings, Siri, and Apple’s workout tracking capabilities.
  • Water Resistance: Both watches are water-resistant up to 50 meters, making them suitable for swimming and showering. This means you can track swimming workouts with either watch and not worry about water damage from exposure to water during daily activities.
  • Workout Tracking: Both the SE and Series 3 support workout tracking with a wide variety of exercise types, such as running, cycling, swimming, yoga, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). They both offer metrics like distance, calories burned, and heart rate during these workouts.
  • Activity Rings: The well-known Activity Rings—Move, Exercise, and Stand—are available on both models. These help users stay motivated and active by tracking their daily activity and providing reminders to meet fitness goals.
  • Siri: Both the SE and Series 3 have Siri integrated into the watchOS system. This means you can use voice commands to control various functions of the watch, such as setting reminders, sending messages, or asking for the weather forecast.
  • Wi-Fi: Both watches support 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, which allows them to connect to wireless networks for syncing data, receiving notifications, and downloading apps even when not connected directly to an iPhone.
  • Digital Crown: Both models feature a Digital Crown, which allows for easy navigation through the watch’s interface, whether it’s scrolling through apps, zooming in and out, or selecting different menus.
  • Battery Life: Both devices claim to have up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is based on typical usage, such as checking notifications, using apps, and performing workouts. While the SE has a more efficient processor, both offer comparable all-day battery performance.
  • Accelerometer and Gyroscope: Both the SE and Series 3 include an accelerometer and gyroscope, which are used to track movement and activity, such as steps, exercise, and fall detection (SE has a more advanced accelerometer for Fall Detection). The gyroscope aids in detecting orientation and motion changes during activities like running or using the compass feature.
  • Magnetic Charging: Both models come with a magnetic charging cable, which makes it easy to charge the watch without the need to plug in any connectors. The charging process and cable design are similar, although the SE includes a USB-C charging cable, while the Series 3 uses USB-A.

Common Features

FeatureApple Watch SEApple Watch 3
Operating SystemwatchOSwatchOS
Water Resistance50 meters (swim-proof)50 meters (swim-proof)
GPSYes Yes 
Optical Heart Rate SensorYesYes
Workout TrackingYesYes
Emergency SOSYesYes
Activity RingsYesYes
SiriYesYes
Wi-Fi2.4GHz Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n)2.4GHz Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n)
Digital CrownYes Yes
Aluminum CaseYes Yes
Battery LifeUp to 18 hoursUp to 18 hours
Bluetooth ConnectivityYes Yes
AccelerometerYes Yes 
GyroscopeYes Yes
MicrophoneYes Yes
SpeakerYes Yes
Magnetic ChargingYes Yes
Third-Party AppsYes Yes
PriceCheck SE PriceCheck Watch 3 Price

FAQ

1. Can both watches be used for fitness tracking?

Yes, both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 3 are designed for fitness tracking. They feature workout tracking for a variety of exercises, such as running, swimming, cycling, and yoga. Both watches track steps, calories burned, distance traveled, and heart rate. However, the SE has a more advanced heart rate sensor for better accuracy, while the Series 3 still offers a solid fitness tracking experience.

2. Are both watches water-resistant?

Yes, both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 3 are water-resistant up to 50 meters. This makes both watches suitable for swimming and allows users to track swim workouts. They are also protected against water exposure during everyday activities like showering or washing hands.

3. Do both watches support Siri?

Yes, both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 3 support Siri. You can use Siri to control your watch, send messages, set reminders, and get information by voice command. However, the SE allows for a more seamless “Raise to Speak” Siri activation, while the Series 3 requires pressing and holding the side button to activate Siri.

4. Can both watches make phone calls?

Yes, both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 3 can make phone calls if you have the GPS + Cellular model, or if the GPS-only model is connected to your iPhone. The built-in microphone and speaker allow you to make and receive calls directly from the watch, making it convenient to stay connected without needing your phone nearby.

5. Do both watches have Emergency SOS?

Yes, both models have the Emergency SOS feature, allowing users to quickly contact emergency services by pressing and holding the side button. This feature also sends alerts to your emergency contacts. However, the SE includes enhanced capabilities like international emergency calling, which is not available on the Series 3.

6. Is the battery life the same for both watches?

Yes, both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 3 offer up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge. This estimation is based on typical usage, such as notifications, app use, and fitness tracking. While they have similar battery life, the SE has a more efficient processor, allowing it to perform better with more power-hungry features.

7. Do both watches have the same design and materials?

Yes, both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 3 come in an aluminum case finish. They are lightweight and durable, designed for everyday wear. However, the SE has larger display size options (40mm and 44mm), while the Series 3 is available in smaller sizes (38mm and 42mm). Despite these size differences, the overall design is quite similar.

8. Do both watches support third-party apps?

Yes, both the SE and Series 3 support third-party apps through the Apple Watch App Store. Users can download apps for productivity, fitness, entertainment, and more, expanding the functionality of the watch. While both watches support apps, newer apps may require more advanced hardware that is available in the SE but not the Series 3.

9. Can both watches track heart rate?

Yes, both the SE and Series 3 have an optical heart rate sensor to track your heart rate throughout the day. The SE, however, features a second-generation heart rate sensor, which offers more accuracy in tracking your heart rate during workouts and daily activities compared to the first-generation sensor in the Series 3.

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