Apple Watch SE 3: everything announced at launch

Apple’s done what we expected and updated the ‘budget’ timepiece in its range: the Apple Watch SE 3 is here.

We’re still sifting through all of the announcements from the big unveil from Apple’s iPhone 17 launch event, so to tide you over before we can fully update this article, here are the top new features that you’ll want to know about for the Apple Watch SE 3.

What’s new and worth knowing?

Always on display: now you no longer need to raise your wrist to see the time – the display will stay quietly lit
More durable: using the latest Ion-X glass to be four times more durable
Available in 40mm and 44mm sizes
New chipset: the upgraded S10 chip is a big jump from the SE 2, allowing for better efficiency and speedier use
5G connectivity: while it won’t make a huge difference, having 5G onboard will make it easier to leave the phone at home
Double the storage: with 64GB on board, you’ll be able to ram it full of offline tracks if you don’t have data
Advanced sleep tracking: sleep apnea and sleep score come to the SE range
Temperature sensor: A new option to allow more detailed sleep analysis and any changes to body rhythms
Faster charging: reaching 80% battery in just 45 minutes, compared to 1.5 hours for the SE 2.

Apple Watch SE 3: Design

The Apple Watch SE has always had a metal shell, but a Bloomberg report from July 2024 suggests Apple might be moving away from metal in favor of a plastic frame. The move would reduce costs and boost production speeds, but some fans worry that it might impact the overall quality of the watch. On the other hand, opting for more plastic production goes against Apple’s stated ethos of environmental sustainability.

The outlet previously reportedly that the inclusion of plastic will also make it easier to experiment with new color options. We already have multiple brands offering affordable smartwatches that rely on a high-quality plastic shell, but a metal casing is often the focus of bragging rights. That makes it increasingly unlikely for Apple to go with a plastic build.

Another report claims that Apple might slightly increase screen size, offering the Apple Watch SE 3 in 1.6-inch and 1.8-inch options. That’s a small bump over the current Apple Watch SE 2. It’s also possible that an all-plastic design would allow for a slimmer chassis, although that is just speculation. The Apple Watch SE has traditionally been based on the design of the most recent Apple Watch, with the SE 2 being based loosely on the Apple Watch 6. It’s possible the Apple Watch SE 3 will be based on the Apple Watch 10, but that seems unlikely.

Instead, Bloomberg’s eleventh-hour report mentions that the third-generation Apple Watch SE “looks reminiscent of the 2020-era Apple Watches.” So yeah, it will look familiar, but not nearly as thin and sleek as the Apple Watch Series 10 or 11. Apple hasn’t revealed any details about the watch yet, and all we know so far has come from insiders and analysts trying to put together the pieces. It’s best to take the information with a grain of salt for now.

Apple Watch SE 3: Specs

Again, there is next to no information available about the specs for the Apple Watch SE. All we have at this point is speculation. That said, we can make a few educated guesses about its hardware and internals.

The big change this time around could be the silicon. Some reports suggest that it will share the S11 chip with the Apple Watch Series 11, which should bring a noticeable performance improvement compared to the second-generation Apple Watch SE.

While the Apple Watch SE 2 didn’t support fast charging, the SE 3 most likely will. It would be odd for Apple to leave that feature out, especially since it’s been part of every Apple Watch since the Watch 7. It’s also likely that the Apple Watch SE 3 will get some of the features available in the flagship lines, although we don’t expect it to get every feature.

It wouldn’t be a surprise for ECG tracking to come to the SE 3 along with better battery capacity, especially if Apple chooses to use a silicon-carbide battery rather than a lithium-ion pack. The watch could also potentially feature a temperature sensor and sleep apnea detection, although those features might remain solely on flagship models for now.

It would be interesting to see whether Apple finally puts the third-generation optical biosensor on the upcoming Apple Watch SE refresh. The Apple Watch SE 3 will be the company’s most powerful budget-focused wearable yet, although how it will compare to flagship devices like the Apple Watch Series 10 remains to be seen.

Apple Watch SE 3: What we want to see

There’s not a lot of information available about this smartwatch. There aren’t even that many rumors to go through. That said, there are several details we would like to see, starting with a larger display. While rumors suggest that it may be possible, there’s conflicting information that says the display could remain the same size.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman only cryptically mentions that the next SE model will “probably get updated with newer displays.” Whether it’s a slight bump in screen size or an increase in brightness output, remains a mystery. Will the panel also take a curvier look, similar to the mainline Apple Watch? I would love to see that.

Another detail that would be a nice bonus is the inclusion of Apple Intelligence. If the Apple Watch SE 3 does come with a more powerful chip, it could possibly handle some onboard features. That said, no Apple Intelligence functionality has come directly to Apple Watch yet, so this could be something of a pipe dream.

Perhaps most of all, we would like to see better battery life. The Apple Watch 10 is rated for up to 18 hours of battery life under normal use, but that isn’t always the case, and it can still leave users in a lurch when they need to charge overnight — especially if you want to track your sleep via the watch.

The Apple Watch SE 3 could set itself apart if it offers two or even three days of use between charges, as well as fast-charge functionality that lets users top off in only a couple of hours. That’s a little too optimistic, even if we take into account the efficiency gains offered by the new silicon, but we can hope for some tangible improvements.