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Apple Apple Watch Series 3 vs Apple Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Apple Watch Series 3 ($37) vs Apple Apple Watch Series 6 ($83) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right smartwatch.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Apple Apple Watch Series 3 | Apple Apple Watch Series 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $37 | $83 |
| Weight | 32.3g | 36.5g |
| Chip | S3, dual-core | S6, 64-bit dual-core |
| Display | OLED Retina, raise-to-wake only | Always-on Retina OLED |
| Case | 42mm Aluminum | — |
| GPS | Standalone GPS | — |
| WR | 50m | 50m |
| Weight | 32.3g (Apple published, 42mm Aluminum GPS) | 36.5g (Apple published, 44mm Aluminum) |
| Sensors | — | Blood oxygen (SpO2) + ECG + heart rate |
| Charging | — | 20% faster than Series 5 |
Pros & Cons
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 6
- Blood oxygen sensor, a meaningful addition over Series 5
- Faster S6 chip, noticeably snappier in daily use
- Faster charging than any earlier Series watch
- Always-on display carried over from Series 5
- Blood oxygen readings are wellness-only, not medical grade
- watchOS support window is closing
- Aluminum case shows wear more than steel or titanium on a used unit
- No always-on altimeter, that came later with Ultra
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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