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Apple Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, 44mm) vs Apple Apple Watch Series 3
Apple Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, 44mm) ($114) vs Apple Apple Watch Series 3 ($37) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right smartwatch.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Apple Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, 44mm) | Apple Apple Watch Series 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114 | $37 |
| Weight | 32.9g | 32.3g |
| Chip | S8 SiP | S3, dual-core |
| Case | 44mm aluminium, GPS | 42mm Aluminum |
| Display | Retina, not always-on | OLED Retina, raise-to-wake only |
| Water | 50m, WR50 | — |
| Sensors | Heart rate, Crash Detection | — |
| Weight | 32.9g (Apple published) | 32.3g (Apple published, 42mm Aluminum GPS) |
| GPS | — | Standalone GPS |
| WR | — | 50m |
Pros & Cons
Apple Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, 44mm)
- 32.9g, the lightest way to wear an Apple Watch
- Same S8 chip as the Series 8, so it is not slow
- Crash Detection and fall detection included
- No always-on display
- No ECG, blood oxygen or temperature sensing
- Smaller display than a Series 7 or later
Apple Apple Watch Series 3
- Cheapest working Apple Watch by a wide margin
- Still runs core fitness and notification features
- Compact 42mm case body many later Watches abandoned
- Standalone GPS without needing a phone nearby
- No always-on display, screen sleeps between raises
- watchOS support has ended, no further security updates
- Battery is old on any used unit, expect a shorter day
- Chip is genuinely slow navigating menus by modern standards
Apple Apple Watch Series 3 is the better value at $37. Both are part of our curated smartwatch index — tap through to check current pricing.
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