I Tested the Apple Watch SE 3 and Didn’t Feel Any FOMO

The Apple Watch SE 3 might be Apple’s most affordable new smartwatch, but it’s far from being compromised. After nearly a week of testing, I was surprised by how little I missed from Apple’s pricier models, including the Ultra 3 and Series 11 (which I’ve also tested in the last month).

When I hear words like «budget» or «affordable» thrown into the mix, my mind immediately goes to lesser quality. And as someone who reviews tech for a living, I’m highly susceptible to FOMO (fear of missing out). It’s my job to tell you precisely what you’re giving up by not splurging on the latest and greatest. The SE 3, however, is one «affordable» pick that’s earned even this FOMO-prone reviewer’s seal of approval, proving that a lower price doesn’t have to mean fewer features or compromised quality.

In a true Goldilocks lineup, Apple launched three new watches this year: the rugged, decked-out Ultra 3, the more refined flagship Series 11 and the more affordable SE 3. At $250, the SE 3 doesn’t exactly scream «budget.» However, once you realize you’re getting the same processor and most of the same features as the Series 11 (which costs almost twice as much) and the Ultra 3 (which is three times the price), it starts to look like a steal. It has many of Apple’s newest features, including 5G connectivity, ultra-fast charging and new wellness features like Sleep Score and Workout Buddy. And while you do lose out on a few more advanced health metrics, such as ECG readings or hypertension alerts, most people won’t notice their absence in everyday use.

This watch isn’t a one-size-fits-all recommendation. While the SE 3 will be my go-to pick for most people, there are a few caveats. If you rely on niche health features, want the largest screen, or multi-day battery life, one of the pricier models might still be worth it. For everyone else, the SE 3 is a well-rounded smartwatch that keeps up with its more expensive siblings and might just outshine them in terms of value proposition.

Two key upgrades bring the SE 3 up to flagship speed

One of my biggest deterrents regarding previous SE models was the lack of an always-on display. It’s not necessarily a deal-breaker unless I’m mid-workout and want to check my stats at a glance. Still, it always triggered my FOMO knowing the feature existed on pricier models. I just wanted to discreetly glance down at the time or a notification without drawing attention to myself by having to lift my wrist. The SE 3 changes that with a screen that fades to black only if you choose to disable the always-on display. This alone helps bridge the gap between the pricier models.

The SE 3’s AOD upgrade didn’t happen in isolation and required a power and battery life bump that’s only possible with better hardware. The SE 3 has Apple’s latest S10 chip, which debuted in the Series 10 and is now on the Ultra 3 and Series 11, putting the SE 3 on par with Apple’s flagship models when it comes to speed and performance. It’s not like I’m playing high-powered video games on a watch, but in my testing, I haven’t seen a hint of lag when starting workouts, running multiple apps, or navigating the interface.

The SE 3’s battery life keeps up

The new processor is more power-efficient, which helps boost battery life while making the always-on display possible. Apple promises up to 18 hours of battery life, the same claim as the SE 2, which didn’t have an always-on display. In theory, the SE 3 could outlast its predecessor by roughly double the battery power if you were to level the playing field and turn off that always-on display (which you can do, but I haven’t done yet).

During my week with the watch, I got between 20 and 25 hours of battery life on a single charge, which for me meant at least one 40-minute outdoor run, no cellular data, a whole night of sleep tracking and with the always-on display enabled, making Apple’s 18-hour claim feel conservative by comparison. In fact, the SE 3’s battery life was only about 6 hours shorter than the Series 11 in my tests.

Another impactful battery gain is fast charging. Apple Watch SE 3 now gets the ultra-fast charging previously reserved for Apple’s more expensive models. If you don’t make it to the end of the day with enough charge to track your sleep, you can squeeze in an extra 8 hours of use with just 15 minutes on the charger. I found that added enough charge to the SE 3’s battery for a whole night of sleep tracking and my morning run. I got to 99% charge after an hour, even though the official claim is 100% in 75 minutes.

The SE 3’s health and fitness features go beyond the basics

The SE 3 more than meets my requirements for health and fitness tracking. Unless you’re into a highly niche sport like trapezing (which you could still log under «Other»), I’d be willing to bet you’ll find your workout of choice. It’s also water-resistant up to 50m, so you can swim with the SE 3.

You’ll also get Apple’s latest Workout Buddy, which debuted on WatchOS 26 and offers real-time motivational feedback based on your personal data, as long as the watch is paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. I’ve fallen off the Workout Buddy wagon as of late, mainly because it requires the extra step of wearing Bluetooth headphones. When I used it testing the beta version of the feature, I found it to be surprisingly human-like and insightful, though not game-changing.

The SE 3 has crash and fall detection and Emergency SOS, which can automatically call for help if needed. It now gets a temperature sensor, which enables more detailed Vitals reports that can flag early signs of illness and provide retrospective ovulation estimates through the Cycle app. I’ve tested both features on the Series 10, but I don’t have enough data yet to evaluate them on the SE 3, as they require at least seven nights of data to take effect.

Sleep tracking also gets a significant boost. The SE 3 now offers a Sleep Score, which grades your rest on a scale from low to excellent (or 1–100) and breaks down the factors behind that score, like duration, bedtime consistency and interruptions. It also adds sleep apnea notifications, which can alert you to breathing issues overnight.

I’ve only dipped below the «excellent» rating once, on a night I stayed out late at a wedding. But I’ve learned that a strong Sleep Score doesn’t always translate to high energy the next day, and it’s up to you to consider other metrics like «training load» and listen to your body cues.

The FOMO factor

The SE 3 does skip a few advanced health features, including blood oxygen tracking, the ECG (electrocardiogram) app, and the new hypertension notifications, requiring more advanced hardware like the electrical and third-generation optical sensors found on Apple’s higher-end models.

For most people, that’s not a big deal, especially if you’re not at risk for conditions like high blood pressure or heart issues that might require taking an ECG at home and sharing it with your physician. But if you have even an inkling that you may be at higher risk (whether due to age, genetics, or family history), those features alone could justify the extra investment. That’s the one area where it hits home for me, and the main reason I’d consider upgrading to the Series 11. My 77-year-old dad discovered he had a heart condition because of his Apple Watch, and he was able to treat it before it caused problems. I also have a family history of high blood pressure, and while it hasn’t been an issue yet, I’d pay the extra $150 for the Series 11 to have these screening tools on my wrist just in case.

The SE 3 has a familiar design, without the upgrades

Another feature you won’t find on the SE 3 is the larger, brighter, edge-to-edge display that debuted with the Series 10. Realistically, if you’re coming from that model, the SE 3 probably isn’t on your radar anyway. But if you’re trying to decide between this and the Series 11, it’s worth factoring in the extra screen real estate and improved scratch resistance you’ll get with the pricier watch.

The Apple Watch SE 3 is available in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm displays, both in two aluminum finishes: midnight (a matte black look) and a starlight option, which I tested and would describe as a mid-tone blend of gold and silver.

I’m not sure the smaller screen would have stood out to me had I not just reviewed the gargantuan 49mm Ultra 3. But because I’d gotten used to seeing more text on-screen, the SE 3’s display felt slightly cramped when reading notifications. The brightness is also noticeably lower, though only in direct sunlight, which is likely a matter of perspective and probably won’t be a deal-breaker for most people. On the flip side, the SE 3 felt almost weightless on my wrist compared to the Ultra 3 and felt comfortable enough to wear all day and even overnight.

The SE 3 has no compromises in software

The SE 3 ships with WatchOS 26, which, aside from the new Workout Buddy feature, also brings a fresh «liquid glass» interface to the Apple Watch with bouncy animations and subtle glass-like transparencies on icons and alerts. The new design is most noticeable when you swipe down on notifications, and it makes better use of the available screen space, which is especially helpful on the SE 3’s smaller display.

You also get the Notes app, the ability to auto-play pre-selected workout playlists directly from the watch’s speaker, and a redesigned Workout app that looks cleaner and more streamlined. I initially found it a bit harder to start workouts, mostly because I had to retrain my muscle memory with the new layout.

Another highlight is the addition of hands-free gesture controls. And again, there’s no FOMO factor here because the SE 3 supports the same pinch and wrist-flick gestures as Apple’s higher-end models, letting you navigate screens, silence alarms or interact with notifications without touching the display.

The SE 3 has 5G connectivity

If you plan to use the watch independently of your phone, or give it to a child as their primary device, the SE 3 debuts 5G connectivity on its cellular model. I haven’t tested it yet, but in theory, it should be faster and more reliable than the LTE found on previous versions. The one trade-off is battery life: Apple says using the watch in cellular mode (without a paired phone) will reduce total battery life by about 2 hours. Again, I haven’t tested it in «kids» mode, but if I were ready to give my kid a smartwatch, this one would be a top contender because of the comprehensive parental controls.

Bottom line

Barring my health paranoia and chronic FOMO, the SE 3 is the Apple Watch I’d recommend for most people. It’s the most affordable way to get many of Apple’s best new features without ever feeling like you’re missing out, especially for anyone new to the Apple Watch world or upgrading from a much older model (think Series 6 or earlier). With fast charging, added health features, and now an always-on display, it’s easy to forget this is the most affordable watch in the lineup.

It’s also an especially compelling choice as a kid’s first device, giving parents a way to hold off on a full-fledged smartphone while maintaining a direct line of communication with their child.