The latest Apple Watch SE 3 has arrived, offering a great value proposition for iPhone users looking for a new smartwatch without breaking the bank. With its updated design and impressive feature set, the SE 3 is a top contender in Apple's smartwatch lineup.
One of the standout features of the SE 3 is its always-on display, which brings it up to par with the more expensive Series 11 models. This means you can see the time and notifications at a glance without having to twist your wrist to turn the screen on. The watch also boasts an S10 chip and supports all the usual Apple Watch features, including Apple Pay contactless payments, rich notifications, music control, third-party apps, and more.
In terms of design, the SE 3 has an older look compared to its Series counterparts, with smaller screens and larger bezels. However, this is easily remedied with a bright strap, and the watch's thicker body is still comfortable on most wrists. The watch also supports offline music playback via Bluetooth headphones, including from subscription services like Spotify.
One of the notable omissions in the SE 3 is the removal of the electrical sensor for taking electrocardiograms (ECGs) of your heart. However, this doesn't seem to be a major issue if you don't need this feature. The watch does still offer accurate optical heart rate monitoring and decent health and fitness tracking.
The battery life of the SE 3 is slightly shorter than that of the Series 11, lasting around 1.5 days with general use. However, charging it every other day should be manageable for most users. Apple estimates that the battery should last over 1,000 full-charge cycles, and repairs can be done for £195 to £229 depending on the model.
In terms of sustainability, Apple has made a concerted effort to reduce waste in its manufacturing process. The SE 3 contains more than 40% recycled materials, including aluminium, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, lithium, rare-earth elements, steel, tin, titanium, and tungsten.
Overall, the Apple Watch SE 3 is an excellent option for anyone looking for a great-value smartwatch that still offers most of the features you'd expect from a top-tier model. While it may lack some of the more advanced features found in its Series counterparts, the SE 3 remains a solid choice for iPhone users on a budget.
Pros:
* Great value Apple Watch
* Always-on screen
* Apple Pay
* Double-tap and wrist-flick gestures
* Decent health and fitness tracking
* Long software support
* Recycled materials
* 50-metre water resistance
Cons:
* No ECG
* No blood oxygen monitoring
* No hypertension alerts
* Older design
* Only works with an iPhone
* No third-party watch faces
* Screen not super bright in sunlight
One of the standout features of the SE 3 is its always-on display, which brings it up to par with the more expensive Series 11 models. This means you can see the time and notifications at a glance without having to twist your wrist to turn the screen on. The watch also boasts an S10 chip and supports all the usual Apple Watch features, including Apple Pay contactless payments, rich notifications, music control, third-party apps, and more.
In terms of design, the SE 3 has an older look compared to its Series counterparts, with smaller screens and larger bezels. However, this is easily remedied with a bright strap, and the watch's thicker body is still comfortable on most wrists. The watch also supports offline music playback via Bluetooth headphones, including from subscription services like Spotify.
One of the notable omissions in the SE 3 is the removal of the electrical sensor for taking electrocardiograms (ECGs) of your heart. However, this doesn't seem to be a major issue if you don't need this feature. The watch does still offer accurate optical heart rate monitoring and decent health and fitness tracking.
The battery life of the SE 3 is slightly shorter than that of the Series 11, lasting around 1.5 days with general use. However, charging it every other day should be manageable for most users. Apple estimates that the battery should last over 1,000 full-charge cycles, and repairs can be done for £195 to £229 depending on the model.
In terms of sustainability, Apple has made a concerted effort to reduce waste in its manufacturing process. The SE 3 contains more than 40% recycled materials, including aluminium, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, lithium, rare-earth elements, steel, tin, titanium, and tungsten.
Overall, the Apple Watch SE 3 is an excellent option for anyone looking for a great-value smartwatch that still offers most of the features you'd expect from a top-tier model. While it may lack some of the more advanced features found in its Series counterparts, the SE 3 remains a solid choice for iPhone users on a budget.
Pros:
* Great value Apple Watch
* Always-on screen
* Apple Pay
* Double-tap and wrist-flick gestures
* Decent health and fitness tracking
* Long software support
* Recycled materials
* 50-metre water resistance
Cons:
* No ECG
* No blood oxygen monitoring
* No hypertension alerts
* Older design
* Only works with an iPhone
* No third-party watch faces
* Screen not super bright in sunlight
I mean, what's the point of even having a smartwatch if you can't take your heart's pulse? They removed the ECG sensor from this thing and now it's like, "oh well, we'll just use optical heart rate monitoring instead"... 
Like, I get it, not everyone needs an ECG, but for people who do, like athletes or those with certain health conditions, it's a major bummer.
I mean, I know Apple says it can last over 1,000 full charge cycles, but let's be real, how many people are going to use their watch for that long without needing to recharge?
It's like, we're trying to reduce waste and stuff, but then we go and make things that are gonna end up in landfills after a few years? 
i mean, who needs all those fancy features that cost like, a lot more money? this thing is fire for people on a budget! 
and the fact that it's got recycled materials is so cool 
sustainable tech is the future! 
i do wish they included some of those other features tho... like, what's up with no ECG? 
still, for the price, this watch is an absolute steal 
. But, you know, for a smartwatch at this price point, it's still a solid option. I mean, who needs an ECG if your phone can do that anyway? 
And honestly, the always-on display is a nice touch - it's like having a mini iPhone on your wrist! 
Plus, the recycled materials are awesome - every little bit counts, right? 
As for the design, I guess you get what you pay for. It's not gonna win any awards for style, but hey, it's still a solid Apple Watch at this price point. The only thing that would've made me happy is if they included wireless charging... but, you know, that's just a pipe dream 
. Still, overall, I think the SE 3 is a great option for anyone looking for a budget-friendly smartwatch with most of the bells and whistles 
.
. always-on screen is a game changer, no more fumbling to turn it on. battery life could be better but £195 repair cost for a watch that's still going strong after 1 year of ownership isn't too bad 
. also, 40% recycled materials is kinda cool, feels like apple is finally getting serious about sustainability 
.
. And yeah, I can see how the design might be a bit more vintage, but hey, it's still comfy and looks decent with some fresh straps 
.
And I'm glad to see they're all about sustainability now - 40% recycled materials? That's just awesome 
Still, a solid choice for anyone looking for an affordable smartwatch with most of the bells and whistles 
.
. The offline music playback feature is also a bonus - I can blast tunes on my Bluetooth headphones without having to carry around my phone 
. And with the S10 chip and all those sick features like Apple Pay and third-party apps, this watch is basically a beast 
.
.
Plus, using recycled materials is such a positive step for sustainability 
!
. But hey, if you're not too fussed about having the latest and greatest tech, then I suppose it's still a great value proposition 
! Plus, the fact that it supports Apple Pay contactless payments is just...wow 
. Don't even get me started on how awesome it is to have offline music playback via Bluetooth headphones 
! And let's be real, 40% recycled materials is just, like, the best thing ever for our planet