A new smartwatch lineup is coming to you in a few days, and Apple has made it so. I’m referring to the all-purpose Apple Series 11 and budget-conscious Apple SE 3.
In this comparison, you’ll learn about:
- Apple Watch Series 11 vs SE 3 full specifications
- Its features comparison
- Starting prices and availability dates
Let’s start!
Apple Watch Series 11 vs SE 3 full specifications comparison
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 11 | Apple Watch SE 3 |
| Finishes / Colors | Aluminium: Rose Gold, Silver, Space Grey, Jet BlackTBlack. Titanium, Gold, Slate | Aluminium: Midnight, Starlight |
| Case Options & Size | 46mm / 42mm; Aluminium or Titanium | 44mm / 40mm; Aluminium only |
| Case Dimensions & Weight | 46mm: 46×39×9.7mm, 37.8g (Aluminium GPS), 36.9g (Aluminium GPS+Cellular), 43.1g (Titanium)42mm: 42×36×9.7mm, 30.3g (Aluminium GPS), 29.7g (Aluminium GPS+Cellular), 34.6g (Titanium) | 44mm: 44×38×10.7mm, 32.9g (GPS), 33.0g (GPS+Cellular)40mm: 40×34×10.7mm, 26.3g (GPS), 26.4g (GPS+Cellular) |
| Display | Always-On Retina OLED, LTPO3, Wide-angle OLEDUp to 2,000 nits brightness, 1 nit minimum46mm: 416×496 px, 1,220 mm²42mm: 374×446 px, 989 mm² | Always-On Retina OLED, LTPO. Up to 1,000 nits brightness, 2 nits minimum44mm: 368×448 px, 977 mm²40mm: 324×394 px, 759 mm² |
| Glass | Ion-X (Aluminium), Sapphire (Titanium) | Tough Ion-X |
| Processor & Chip | S10 chip, 64-bit dual-core, 4-core Neural Engine wireless chip, second-generation Ultra Wideband chip | S10 chip, 64-bit dual-core, 4-core Neural Engine wireless chip |
| Storage | 64GB | 64GB |
| Sensors | Electrical heart sensor, 3rd-gen heart sensor, Blood Oxygen sensor, Temperature sensor, Ambient light sensor, Depth gauge, Depth app to 6mWater temperature sensor, Always-on altimeter, Compass, High-dynamic gyroscope | 2nd-gen optical heart sensor, Temperature sensor, Ambient light sensor, Always-on altimeter, Compass, High-dynamic gyroscope |
| Health & Fitness Features | ECG app, Blood Oxygen app, Vitals app (heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration), Sleep tracking & score, Mindfulness, Cycle tracking, Training load, Noise monitoring, GymKit, Swim & Snorkel tracking | High/Low heart rate notifications, Irregular rhythm notifications, Vitals app (heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration), Sleep tracking & score, Mindfulness, Cycle tracking, Training load, Noise monitoring, GymKit, Swim tracking |
| Connectivity | GPS & Cellular (5G capable)L1 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou Wi-Fi 4 (2.4/5GHz), Bluetooth 5.3 Offline maps Precision Finding for iPhone | GPS & Cellular (5G capable)L1 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSSWi-Fi 4 (2.4GHz), Bluetooth 5.3Offline mapsFind iPhone |
| Safety | Emergency SOS, International emergency calling, Fall Detection, Crash Detection, High-g accelerometer | Same as Apple Watch Series 11 |
| Battery Life & Charging | Up to 24 hrs everyday use, up to 38 hrs Low Power Fast-charge: 0–80% in 30 mins | Up to 18 hrs everyday use, up to 32 hrs Low Power Fast-charge: 0–80% in 45 mins |
| Durability | Water resistant 50m, Depth to 6m, Certified IP6X dust resistant, 2x scratch-resistant Ion-X, 4x crack-resistant Ion-X (Aluminium), Sapphire crystal (Titanium) | Water resistant 50m, Swim tracking only, No depth/temperature sensors, Tough Ion-X glass |
| Environmental Features | 100% recycled aluminium/titanium, recycled cobalt & lithium battery, recycled rare earths, gold plating, tin solder, tungsten, 40% recycled display glass, energy-efficient, 100% fibre packaging | Same with Series 11 |
Let’s break it down.
Design and display
The Apple Watch Series 11 and SE 3 are similar in overall form but differ in materials, display technology, and durability. Series 11 is offered in aluminium (Rose Gold, Silver, Space Grey, Jet Black) and titanium (Gold, Natural, Slate), catering to premium users who value aesthetics and lightweight strength. SE 3 is available only in aluminum (Starlight, Midnight), keeping it affordable and functional.
In terms of size, Series 11 comes in 46mm and 42mm, with display areas of 1,220 mm² and 989 mm², respectively. SE 3 is slightly smaller, 44mm and 40mm, with display areas of 977 mm² and 759 mm². Series 11 features an Always-On Retina display with wide-angle OLEDs and LTPO3, offering up to 2,000 nits of brightness, which makes it easier to read outdoors. SE 3 has Always-On Retina OLED with LTPO, but peak brightness is capped at 1,000 nits, which is still bright but less vivid.
With these two, durability is at the front of mind. Series 11 aluminium models feature Ion-X glass with double scratch resistance, while titanium models utilize sapphire crystal. SE 3 utilizes Tough Ion-X glass, which offers 4x crack resistance, albeit slightly less scratch-resistant, but more resistant to cracking. Both models have 50-meter water and dust resistance, making them suitable for everyday wear, swimming, and light outdoor activity.
So, Series 11 entices anyone who wants premium materials and maximum display brightness, while SE 3 offers solid durability and readability at a lower price.
Performance and Hardware
Both models run on Apple’s S10 chip, featuring a 64-bit dual-core processor and 4-core Neural Engine. This ensures smooth animations, fast app launches, and responsiveness across the system. Both devices have 64 GB of storage for apps, music, and media.
The main hardware differences lie in the sensor suite. Series 11 features a third-generation optical heart sensor, an electrical heart sensor, a blood oxygen sensor, and a temperature sensor, enabling advanced health tracking capabilities such as ECG, blood oxygen measurements, and retrospective ovulation estimates.
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Health and fitness features
Apple continues to prioritize health monitoring, and the Series 11 takes this further with expanded sensors. ECG functionality, blood oxygen monitoring, and temperature sensing allow users to track heart health, oxygen saturation, and cycle metrics. SE 3 provides heart rate tracking, cycle tracking, and basic sleep monitoring, which covers general wellness but does not provide clinical-grade metrics.
Both models integrate the Heart Rate app, Cycle Tracking, Mindfulness, Noise, and Sleep apps, offering comprehensive wellness tracking for casual users. Series 11 introduces Blood Oxygen and ECG apps, enabling users to monitor oxygen levels during exercise or sleep and generate ECG readings comparable to those from single-lead devices. This is particularly valuable for users managing heart conditions or optimizing athletic performance.
Both devices support fitness tracking. Running, cycling, swimming, hiking, and skiing are fully supported, with metrics like pace, distance, splits, stroke detection, SWOLF score, cadence, and elevation gain.
Series 11 adds more precise GPS tracking, backtrack functionality, offline maps, and topographic mapping for select regions, which is helpful for outdoor enthusiasts.
SE 3 provides essential metrics for casual workouts and supports Multisport and Functional Strength training, covering most standard fitness routines.
For Fitness+ subscribers, both watches integrate seamlessly, providing guided workouts, heart rate zones, and performance tracking. Series 11 offers richer sensor input for more detailed metrics, while SE 3 effectively covers the essentials.
SE 3 has a second-generation optical heart sensor and temperature sensor covering core health tracking, but lacks ECG and advanced blood oxygen tracking.
The controls and buttons are consistent across both models, featuring a Digital Crown with haptic feedback, a side button, double-tap and wrist flick gestures, as well as Siri on-device processing. Series 11 has an edge with a depth gauge for swimming and a more precise altimeter, benefiting outdoor enthusiasts and serious athletes.
Overall, Series 11 is hardware-rich and suitable for users who want comprehensive health monitoring and premium sensors. SE 3, while slightly limited in health sensors, delivers excellent performance for everyday use, workouts, and casual health tracking. Both watches feel responsive, but Series 11 handles advanced fitness and safety features more efficiently.
Safety and Connectivity
Safety features are critical in modern wearables. Series 11 and SE 3 support Emergency SOS, international emergency calling, fall detection, and Crash Detection, which can be life-saving in critical situations. Series 11 benefits from more sensors and cellular options, improving emergency response in outdoor or remote scenarios.
Both models include connectivity options, including 5G and LTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.3, but the Series 11 adds Ultra Wideband (UWB) for enhanced location services. GPS performance is strong on both, though Series 11’s L1 GPS with GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou provides more precise tracking in challenging environments.
Integration with iOS 26 ensures seamless pairing, Live Activity notifications, and device syncing. Series 11 can leverage additional hardware features for more precise health and activity monitoring, while SE 3 ensures compatibility and smooth performance for everyday users.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery performance differs slightly between the models. Series 11 offers up to 24 hours of everyday use, extending to 38 hours in Low Power Mode, depending on usage patterns. SE 3 delivers up to 18 or 32 hours in Low Power Mode.
Both watches support fast charging, but Series 11 charges from 0 to 80% in about 30 minutes, compared to SE 3’s 45 minutes. Short 15-minute top-ups offer several hours of usage, making them useful for last-minute boosts before workouts or sleep tracking.
Software experience: watchOS 26
Both models run watchOS 6, which includes a liquid retina display, widgets, redesigned apps, Siri improvements, Flow, and enhanced notifications. Core software features are identical, ensuring a familiar Apple Watch experience across devices.
Series 11 unlocks additional features through advanced sensors, including ECG, blood oxygen tracking, and more accurate cycle monitoring. SE 3 lacks some sensor-dependent apps, but it supports all standard watchOS functionalities, including Activity rings, Mindfulness, Fitness+, and notifications.
Another consideration is longevity; Series 11’s hardware allows for extended support of future watchOS updates. At the same time, SE 3 may receive slightly shorter-term updates, although it will still provide several years of reliable software maintenance.
Price and Value for Money
Series 11 is a premium model that costs $399, reflecting its advanced sensors, titanium/aluminium finishes, and extended battery.
Series 11 appeals to health-conscious users, athletes, or anyone wanting the latest sensors and display technology.
SE 3 (from $249) targets budget-conscious buyers, families, or users seeking essential health and fitness features without premium pricing.
Resale value also differs; Series 11 retains a higher value due to advanced hardware and premium finishes, while SE 3 offers good affordability but lower long-term resale potential. Both support AppleCare+, which extends coverage and provides peace of mind.
Final takeaway
- Series 11 delivers a brighter, Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display.
- SE 3 offers solid performance at a more affordable price.
- S9 SiP in Series 11 ensures faster, more efficient performance.
- SE 3 sticks with the S8 chip, which is reliable but less advanced.
- Series 11 features ECG, blood oxygen, and temperature sensing capabilities.
- SE 3 focuses on core safety and fitness basics.
- Series 11 supports fast charging and UWB location tracking.
- SE 3 lacks Always-On display, advanced sensors, and UWB.
- Both run watchOS 11 and integrate seamlessly with iPhones.
- Series 11 is best for advanced users, while SE 3 is affordable.
So,
From September 19, 2025, Apple Watch buyers can choose between affordability and essentials with the SE 3 or the whole flagship experience with the Series 11. Both models are fully compatible with watchOS 11 and iOS 26, ensuring seamless integration. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your budget, lifestyle, and the importance you place on premium health features. There are no winners here, just spec holders. Make a great choice!
Frequently asked questions
Is the Apple Watch Series 11 worth the extra cost over the SE 3?
- Series 11 is worth it for users who need advanced health sensors, a brighter display, and longer battery life, while SE 3 offers basic tracking.
Does SE 3 support all health features?
- SE 3 tracks heart rate, sleep, and activity, but lacks ECG and blood oxygen measurement found on Series 11.
Which Apple Watch is better for fitness tracking?
- Series 11 offers more precise GPS, stroke detection, and advanced metrics, whereas SE 3 provides sufficient tracking for casual workouts.
How long will Apple support SE 3 vs Series 11?
- Series 11’s newer hardware ensures longer watchOS updates, while SE 3 will receive updates for several years but may drop support sooner.
