Apple Watch SE 3 Review: The Best Value Smartwatch That Beats FOMO

Value Proposition of the Apple Watch SE 3

• 💡 The Apple Watch SE 3 offers significant value by providing many features of higher-end models at a $250 price point, effectively combating the fear of missing out (FOMO).
• 🎯 It shares the same processor as the Series 11 and Ultra 3, making it a compelling option for first-time buyers, children, or those upgrading from older models.

Display and Battery Performance

• 🚀 The Always-On Display (AOD) is a major upgrade from previous SE models, allowing for quick glances at time and notifications without needing to raise the wrist.
• 🔋 Despite the AOD, the SE 3 exceeds Apple's 18-hour battery claim, with testing showing 22-25 hours of usage, including sleep tracking and workouts.
• ⚡ Fast charging is also improved, providing enough power for 8 hours of sleep tracking with just 8 minutes on the charger, and reaching 99% in about an hour.

Health and Fitness Features

• 🩺 New health features include sleep score for rest grading, sleep apnea notifications, and a temperature sensor for illness detection and ovulation tracking.
• ⚠️ Key health features missing compared to higher-end models are blood oxygen tracking, ECG, and hypertension notifications.
• 🏃‍♂️ The SE 3 includes all workout types found on other Apple Watches, plus the new Workout Buddy feature for real-time motivation, though it requires an Apple Intelligence-powered phone.

Design, Durability, and Software

• ⌚ The design remains similar to previous SE models, with a slightly smaller screen and thicker bezels than the Series 11.
• ⚠️ A notable durability concern is the screen's susceptibility to scratches, as it lacks the more scratch-resistant glass found on the Series 11 aluminum version.
• 👆 Gesture controls, such as pinch-to-navigate and wrist flicks, are now supported, alongside the new WatchOS 26 with its liquid glass UI and improved screen utilization.
• 🎶 New software features include the notes app, enhanced music streaming with autoplay, and the ability to play music directly from the watch speaker.

Connectivity and Final Verdict

• 🌐 5G connectivity is a significant addition, crucial for using the watch independently of a phone and for children using it in 'Kids Mode', though it may reduce battery life by approximately 2 hours in that mode.
• ✅ The Apple Watch SE 3 is presented as the best Apple Watch for most people, offering access to the Apple ecosystem for health and fitness at a significantly lower cost.