At Apple's "awe dropping" event in Cupertino, California, the company just unveiled the Apple Watch SE 3. Available for preorder today and for purchase September 19, it starts at $249, which is the same price as the last version launched three years ago. However, new features include an updated S10 chip and WatchOS 26, always-on display, on-device Siri, 5G, temperature sensing, sleep apnea notifications and sleep score.
Interestingly, the SE 3 has all except three of the same health features as the Apple Watch Series 11, but you can save at least $150 by going with the updated SE.
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Apple Watch SE 3 health features
In addition to core features like heart rate notifications, fall detection, cycle tracking and crash detection, the SE 3 now includes sleep apnea notifications, sleep score and wrist temperature sensing, which allows for retrospective ovulation estimates and more detailed insights in the Vitals app.
Sleep score helps you better understand your sleep quality and how to improve it. In the SE 3's Sleep app, you can find an overall score after each night of sleep, which provides additional insight into sleep duration and stages. The scoring approach was created with current guidance published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, National Sleep Foundation and World Sleep Society, while the scoring algorithm was tested with over 5 million nights of sleep data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study.
Thanks to the SE 3's faster charging, it's even more efficient to wear the watch overnight to track your sleep.
Apple/Screenshot by CNET
With WatchOS 26, the Apple Watch SE 3 now features Workout Buddy. Powered by Apple Intelligence, this feature uses workout data to provide personalized, spoken motivation for certain workouts. The Workout app's new layout further enhances the SE 3's fitness experience.
The Apple Watch SE 3 vs Series 11 health features
In terms of health features, the Series 11 has hypertension notifications, an ECG app and a Blood Oxygen app. However, all other core health features -- such as sleep tracking and score, heart rate notifications and wrist temperature tracking -- are the same.
The big difference is that the Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $399 with GPS and $499 with GPS and cellular, while the SE 3 starts at $249 with GPS and $299 with GPS and cellular. In other words, you can get many of the same health features on the SE 3, but for at least $150 less.
Apple Watch SE 3 battery life
The S10 chip allows the SE 3 to charge up to two times faster than the previous model in just 15 minutes, adding up to 8 hours of normal use. This gives the SE 3 an all-day, 18-hour battery life. In just 45 minutes, it can charge to about 80%.
What the S10 chip brings to the Apple Watch SE 3
Thanks to the S10 chip, you can now read the time and see your watch face without raising or tapping the watch display. The SE 3 also supports double-tap and wrist flip gestures, making it easy to control with just one hand. With double-tap, you can open Smart Stack, send a message, answer calls and more.
With on-device Siri, you can access and log health data. For instance, you can start a workout or get health-related questions answered using data from the Health app. This on-device processing is private and secure.
When your AirPods aren't available, you can now play your media directly through the SE 3's speaker. The S10 chip also enables voice isolation to dim background noise when on a phone or FaceTime call.
WatchOS 26 features on the Apple Watch SE 3
With WatchOS 26, you get the new liquid glass design, which creates a vibrant visual experience with Smart Stack, Control Center, the Photos watch face and as you navigate in-app controls. You also get an updated watch face gallery with two new faces, Flow and Exactograph. Plus, over 20 watch faces now allow users to see a ticking seconds hand when their wrist is raised.
Apple/Screenshot by CNET
With Apple Intelligence, there is now Live Translation in Messages. When the Apple Watch is connected with an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone, incoming text messages can be automatically translated into the user's preferred language. If that language is English, the watch will suggest relevant actions based on the message's context, such as a check-in once a friend arrives home or using Apple Cash for a gift.
When connected to a nearby iPhone, the SE 3 also has Hold Assist and Call Screening. The former alerts a user who is on hold when a live agent is available, while the latter helps people manage incoming phone calls by collecting a name and reason for the call before it rings to help them decide whether they want to pick up.
Apple Watch SE 3 design
Available in starlight and midnight (no longer silver or aluminum), the Apple Watch SE 3 is made with 100% recycled aluminum. It still comes in the 40mm and 44mm sizes. The cover glass is four times more resistant to cracks than the SE 2 and is made of Ion-X glass, the toughest glass available in a smartwatch.
Apple/Screenshot by CNET
Other new Apple launches
The SE 3 was also launched alongside the AirPods Pro 3 with live translation and heart rate sensing, Apple Watch Series 11 with hypertension notifications and sleep score, Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the iPhone 17 lineup. The Series 11 will ship with 5G and WatchOS 26, which Apple previewed at WWDC in June.
This is a developing story. Follow all of CNET's 2025 Apple Event coverage for live updates, hands-on impressions and more announcements as they're revealed.