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Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 on September 9, 2025. The Series 11 is the best all-rounder, the SE 3 is the value choice, and the Ultra 3 is aimed at buyers who prioritize battery life, outdoor capability and satellite safety. Preorders opened that day, retail availability followed on September 19, and watchOS 26 arrived on September 15.
U.S. prices started at $249 for SE 3, $399 for Series 11 and $799 for Ultra 3. Those are standard retail prices, not Apple education-store pricing.
At a glance
| Model | Position | U.S. starting price | Key strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch SE 3 | Entry-level | $249 | Always-On display, S10 chip, sleep and temperature features |
| Apple Watch Series 11 | Mainstream flagship | $399 | Hypertension notifications, longer battery life, 5G, ECG |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | Outdoor and adventure | $799 | Satellite safety, 42-hour battery, advanced GPS and diving hardware |
All three require an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26 or later; Apple Watch does not support Android phones. Apple’s launch announcements are available for Series 11, SE 3 and Ultra 3.
Apple Watch Series 11
Series 11 is the sensible choice for most iPhone owners. It comes in 42mm and 46mm aluminum or titanium cases, uses Apple’s S10 system-in-package and reaches up to 2,000 nits. Apple rates it for up to 24 hours of normal use or 38 hours in Low Power Mode, with charging from zero to 80 percent in about 30 minutes under Apple’s test conditions. Aluminum versions use a more scratch-resistant Ion-X cover glass.
#1 Best Overall
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/416RQ0rtsUL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Health and connectivity
- Hypertension notifications: the watch looks for signs of possible chronic high blood pressure and can prompt follow-up. It is not a cuff, continuous blood-pressure monitor or diagnosis.
- Sleep Score: a summary of sleep quality based on multiple factors.
- 5G RedCap: available on supported cellular configurations and networks.
- ECG: available on Series 11, unlike SE 3.
Feature availability can vary by country, language, age and regulatory approval. Apple’s detailed specifications are in its Series 11 technical support document.
Apple Watch SE 3
SE 3 is a much bigger upgrade than a routine processor refresh. The 40mm and 44mm aluminum watch adds an Always-On Retina display, S10 chip, wrist-temperature sensing, 64GB storage, fast charging and optional 5G cellular connectivity. Apple rates battery life at up to 18 hours, or 32 hours in Low Power Mode; zero-to-80-percent charging takes about 45 minutes.
Rank #2
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31caPPnRysL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
It also supports Sleep Score, sleep-apnea notifications, retrospective ovulation estimates in Cycle Tracking, on-device Siri with health-data access, Double Tap and the wrist-flick gesture. Water resistance is rated at 50 meters.
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What SE 3 does not include
SE 3 has no ECG app, no listed hypertension notifications, no Ultra satellite communications, no depth gauge or water-temperature sensor, and a lower 1,000-nit brightness ceiling. It is therefore excellent for notifications, workouts, sleep and everyday safety, but it is not equivalent to Series 11 or Ultra 3.
Rank #3
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41s72HIk5TL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Ultra 3 is the specialist model: a 49mm titanium watch with a 3,000-nit display, precision dual-frequency GPS and up to 42 hours of normal-use battery life or 72 hours in Low Power Mode. Apple says it can charge to 80 percent in about 45 minutes, with 15 minutes providing up to 12 hours of normal use under its testing methodology.
- Satellite communications: emergency SOS and other supported safety or messaging functions when off-grid.
- Water hardware: 100-meter water resistance, a depth gauge to 40 meters and a water-temperature sensor.
- Sports support: swimming, snorkeling, scuba and high-speed water sports.
- Connectivity: cellular capability is part of the Ultra configuration, with 5G support on compatible networks.
- Health: Sleep Score and hypertension notifications, subject to regional availability.
Satellite capability is not a satellite phone or unrestricted satellite internet service. Coverage, supported functions and requirements vary by region; check Apple’s Ultra 3 announcement and local product terms before relying on it for a trip. The large case also makes Ultra 3 a poor fit for people with small wrists or those who dislike wearing a substantial watch overnight.
Rank #4
![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31YiTby0pOL._SL160_.jpg)
- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
- A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
How the three watches compare
| Specification | SE 3 | Series 11 | Ultra 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 40mm, 44mm | 42mm, 46mm | 49mm |
| Case material | Aluminum | Aluminum or titanium | Titanium |
| Peak brightness | 1,000 nits | 2,000 nits | 3,000 nits |
| Apple-rated battery | 18 hours | 24 hours | 42 hours |
| Low Power Mode | 32 hours | 38 hours | 72 hours |
| ECG | No | Yes | Yes |
| Hypertension notifications | Not listed | Yes, where available | Yes, where available |
| 5G cellular | Optional, supported models | Supported cellular models | Supported |
| Satellite safety | No | No | Yes, region-dependent |
| Water resistance | 50m | 50m | 100m |
| Depth gauge | No | No | 40m |
See Apple’s U.S. comparison and purchase page for configuration-specific details. Apple’s battery numbers are estimates, not guaranteed runtimes; cellular use, GPS workouts, screen brightness, sleep tracking and Low Power Mode all affect endurance.
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Not every headline feature requires a new watch. watchOS 26 introduced the Liquid Glass interface, new watch faces, Workout Buddy, Sleep Score, the wrist-flick gesture and other software changes. Apple says watchOS 26 supports Series 6 or later, SE 2 or later and all Ultra models when paired with an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26 or later.
Best Value
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41yzp82pFOL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Hardware still determines features such as SE 3’s temperature sensor and Always-On display, Series 11’s newer battery rating and cover glass, 5G modems, and Ultra 3’s satellite, diving and dual-frequency GPS systems. Existing owners may not need to upgrade simply to obtain Sleep Score or the new interface.
GPS or cellular?
Choose GPS if you normally carry your iPhone. The watch can record workouts with its own GPS, but calls, messages, notifications and streaming generally rely on the phone or Wi-Fi.
Choose GPS + Cellular if you want to run, exercise or handle errands without the iPhone nearby. Cellular requires a compatible carrier plan, activation and usually a separate smartwatch line or add-on. Apple lists AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and UScellular among U.S. national providers, but coverage, roaming and pricing vary. “5G capable” does not mean every carrier or country supports every band. Apple Watch For Your Kids also requires cellular-capable hardware.
Which Apple Watch should you buy?
- Buy SE 3 if price matters most and you want a modern display, core fitness and sleep tracking, safety features and optional standalone connectivity. Accept the shorter battery life and lack of ECG and advanced sensors.
- Buy Series 11 if you want the best general-purpose Apple Watch, overnight battery headroom, ECG, hypertension notifications, brighter display and a choice of aluminum or titanium.
- Buy Ultra 3 if you hike, run long distances, dive, work outdoors or routinely need maximum battery life, brightest visibility, advanced GPS or satellite safety. Do not pay for it merely for notifications and step counting.
- Upgrade an older watch mainly for a degraded battery, 5G, Series 11 health and durability changes, or Ultra 3’s outdoor and satellite hardware. If your current watch supports watchOS 26 and still meets your needs, the software update may be enough.
Important health and availability limits
Apple’s health features support tracking and may prompt medical follow-up; they do not replace clinical equipment or professional advice. Hypertension notifications look for possible signs rather than measuring blood pressure continuously. Blood Oxygen availability, hypertension notifications, satellite functions and some other tools depend on market, regulation and language. Confirm the feature list for your country before purchase.
Bottom line
Series 11 is the strongest default recommendation. SE 3 offers the most capability per dollar for a first Apple Watch, while Ultra 3 earns its price only when its battery, rugged construction, advanced water and GPS hardware, cellular connectivity or satellite safety functions solve a real need.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
