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Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE 3 were announced on September 9, 2025, and went on sale September 19, 2025. All three use the S10 chip and require an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26 or later. Series 11 is the balanced option, SE 3 is the lower-cost choice, and Ultra 3 is built for buyers who need its rugged design, longer battery life and satellite features.
The key differences are price, case size, display, battery life, health sensors, water resistance, GPS and connectivity. The specifications and prices below are based on Apple’s published lineup and product information.
Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE 3: key differences
| Model | Starting U.S. price | Sizes | Battery life | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch SE 3 | $249 | 40mm, 44mm | Up to 18 hours | First-time buyers and everyday use |
| Apple Watch Series 11 | $399 | 42mm, 46mm | Up to 24 hours | Most iPhone users |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | $799 | 49mm | Up to 42 hours | Outdoor use, diving and long workouts |
These are Apple’s starting U.S. prices. Cellular versions, larger cases, titanium cases and bands can cost more. SE 3 starts as an aluminum GPS model; Ultra 3 has a titanium case and GPS + Cellular.
Release date and compatibility
Apple announced Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE 3 on September 9, 2025, and retail availability began on September 19, 2025. All three require an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26 or later and cannot be paired with Android phones.
#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.
Some watchOS 26 features have additional requirements. Workout Buddy, for example, requires an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone nearby, Bluetooth headphones, and English selected for the device and Siri. It is not an AI feature that runs entirely on the watch.
Apple introduced watchOS 26 features including Sleep Score, Workout Buddy, wrist-flick gesture, an updated Workout app, new watch faces and Live Translation in Messages on supported configurations. Apple’s watchOS 26 feature guide describes availability and requirements.
Full specification comparison
| Specification | Series 11 | Ultra 3 | SE 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case | 42mm or 46mm | 49mm | 40mm or 44mm |
| Case material | Aluminum or titanium | Grade 5 titanium | Aluminum |
| Chip and storage | S10, 64GB | S10, 64GB | S10, 64GB |
| Display | Always-On LTPO3 OLED, up to 2,000 nits | Always-On wide-angle LTPO3 OLED, up to 3,000 nits | Always-On LTPO OLED, up to 1,000 nits |
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours; 38 hours in Low Power Mode | Up to 42 hours; 72 hours in Low Power Mode | Up to 18 hours; 32 hours in Low Power Mode |
| Fast charging | Up to 80% in about 30 minutes | Up to 80% in about 45 minutes | Up to 80% in about 45 minutes |
| Water resistance | 50 meters; snorkeling to 6 meters | 100 meters; recreational scuba diving to 40 meters with a compatible app | 50 meters |
| ECG | Yes | Yes | No |
| Hypertension notifications | Yes | Yes | No |
| 5G cellular | Available on cellular models | Included | Available on cellular models |
| Satellite communications | No | Yes | No |
Specifications are from Apple’s Apple Watch comparison page and product specification pages for Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE 3.
Apple Watch Series 11
Series 11 is the mainstream model. It adds health and display features missing from SE 3 without Ultra 3’s larger titanium case or $799 starting price.
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Series 11 comes in 42mm and 46mm cases. Aluminum models are available in Rose Gold, Silver, Space Gray and Jet Black; titanium models come in Gold, Natural and Slate.
The Always-On LTPO3 OLED display reaches 2,000 nits. Aluminum versions use Ion-X glass with a ceramic coating that Apple rates as twice as scratch-resistant as the previous generation’s Ion-X glass. The watch is rated IP6X for dust resistance and has 50-meter water resistance. Apple also rates it for snorkeling to 6 meters.
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.
Health and sensors
Series 11 includes:
- Third-generation optical heart sensor
- Electrical heart sensor for ECG
- Blood oxygen sensor
- Wrist-temperature sensor
- Depth gauge and water-temperature sensor
- Always-on altimeter and compass
- 5G RedCap cellular on cellular models
It also supports hypertension notifications. The feature looks for patterns associated with possible hypertension over approximately 30 days; it does not take a blood-pressure reading or diagnose high blood pressure.
Battery and charging
Series 11 is rated for up to 24 hours of normal use or up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode. Apple says a 15-minute charge can provide up to eight hours of normal use, and charging can reach 80% in about 30 minutes. That makes it more flexible than SE 3 for overnight sleep tracking, though frequent travelers may prefer Ultra 3.
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Ultra 3 is the specialist model. Its advantages are substantial, but are aimed at people who will use its larger case, outdoor navigation, cellular connection or extended battery life.
Rugged case and display
Ultra 3 uses a 49mm Grade 5 titanium case, available in Natural Titanium and Black Titanium. It measures 49mm high, 44mm wide and 12mm thick, and weighs approximately 61.6 to 61.8 grams without the band.
Its flat sapphire display has a 3,000-nit maximum brightness and a 1,245-square-millimeter active display area. The wide-angle LTPO3 OLED panel supports an always-on refresh rate as low as 1Hz.
Outdoor, GPS and diving features
Ultra 3 has 100-meter water resistance, IP6X dust resistance, a depth gauge, water-temperature sensor, dual-frequency GPS, dual speakers and a three-microphone array. Apple rates it for recreational scuba diving to 40 meters with a compatible app.
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.
The customizable Action button gives quick access to functions such as workouts. Dual-frequency GPS can help in environments where buildings, trees or terrain interfere with a normal GPS signal.
Battery life and charging
Ultra 3 is rated for up to 42 hours of normal use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. Apple rates it for up to 20 hours of continuous outdoor workout tracking in Low Power Mode with full GPS and heart-rate readings. Charging can reach 80% in about 45 minutes.
Satellite communication
Ultra 3 is the only model in this lineup with built-in satellite communications. When cellular and Wi-Fi are unavailable, it can support:
- Emergency SOS contact
- Messages to friends and family
- Location sharing
- Find My through satellite
This is not satellite internet. Find My and Messages via satellite require a carrier plan; Messages via satellite is available only in supported regions, including the United States, Canada and Mexico. Apple includes satellite communications at no charge for two years after activation. Connection quality depends on location and line of sight. See Apple’s Ultra 3 announcement for details.
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SE 3 is the value model, but it is not a stripped-down version of the previous SE. It uses the S10 chip, has 64GB of storage, fast charging, wrist-temperature sensing, an Always-On display and several newer watchOS features.
Design and display
SE 3 comes in 40mm and 44mm aluminum cases, in Starlight and Midnight. The display reaches 1,000 nits and uses Ion-X glass that Apple rates as four times more crack-resistant than the SE 2’s cover glass.
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.*
The 40mm model has 759 square millimeters of display area; the 44mm model has 977 square millimeters. Both sizes have an Always-On display.
Included features
SE 3 supports heart monitoring, sleep tracking, Sleep Score, sleep apnea notifications, retrospective ovulation estimates, wrist-flick and Double Tap gestures, on-device Siri and 5G cellular on cellular models. Apple’s SE 3 announcement details its features.
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Its omissions include:
- No ECG
- No Blood Oxygen app
- No hypertension notifications
- No blood-pressure measurement
- No satellite communications
- No depth gauge or water-temperature sensor
Battery and charging
SE 3 is rated for up to 18 hours of normal use or up to 32 hours in Low Power Mode. Apple says a 15-minute charge provides up to eight hours of normal use; charging can reach 80% in about 45 minutes. If you want to track sleep and exercise without charging as often, Series 11 is the more comfortable choice.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Health features: what the watches can and cannot do
Hypertension notifications are not a blood-pressure monitor
Series 11 and Ultra 3 can passively analyze optical heart-sensor data for approximately 30 days and notify you about patterns associated with possible hypertension. The watches do not display a blood-pressure number, replace a cuff or detect every case.
If you receive an alert, Apple instructs you to use a third-party blood-pressure cuff for seven days and discuss the readings with a healthcare provider. Apple says the feature is not intended for people under 22, people already diagnosed with hypertension or use during pregnancy.
On an iPhone, the setup path is Health app → Search → Heart → Blood Pressure. To disable it, go to Health app → your picture or initials → Health Checklist → Hypertension Notifications, then turn off Hypertension Notifications. See Apple Support’s hypertension notifications guide.
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![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.
Sleep Score is not exclusive to the newest models
Sleep Score is a watchOS 26 feature available on Apple Watch Series 6 or later, SE 2 or later and all Ultra models, paired with an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26 or later. It should not be a reason by itself to upgrade from a compatible older watch. Apple lists compatibility in its watchOS 26 feature guide.
Blood Oxygen availability in the U.S.
For Apple Watch models purchased in the U.S. on or after January 18, 2024, with part numbers ending in LW/A, blood-oxygen data analysis is performed on the paired iPhone and results are viewed in the Health app. The feature is intended for wellness purposes, not medical diagnosis. See Apple’s Apple Watch models guide.
Which Apple Watch should you buy?
- Choose SE 3 if price matters most. It provides the S10 chip, Always-On display, current watchOS support, sleep features and optional 5G cellular for $249 to start. It is a sensible choice if you do not need ECG, hypertension notifications, advanced water sensors or the brightest display.
- Choose Series 11 for the best all-round balance. It adds ECG, hypertension notifications, a brighter display, longer battery life and more case choices. For most iPhone owners, it is the strongest default recommendation.
- Choose Ultra 3 for demanding outdoor use. The 49mm titanium case, 3,000-nit sapphire display, dual-frequency GPS, 100-meter water resistance, satellite communications and 42-hour battery rating suit the right user. They do not make it automatically better for basic notifications and workouts.
Commonly repeated claims that are wrong
| Claim | What is actually true |
|---|---|
| “The watches use an S11 chip.” | All three use Apple’s S10 chip. |
| “SE 3 has no Always-On display.” | SE 3 has an Always-On display. |
| “Apple Watch measures blood pressure.” | Hypertension notifications identify patterns; they do not provide blood-pressure readings. |
| “Every new Apple Watch has satellite messaging.” | Satellite communications are an Ultra 3 feature; Find My and Messages via satellite require a carrier plan, with regional limits on Messages. |
| “SE 3 includes ECG and hypertension notifications.” | SE 3 does not include either feature. |
FAQ
When did Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE 3 go on sale?
Apple announced all three on September 9, 2025, and retail availability began September 19, 2025.
Which Apple Watch has the longest battery life?
Apple Watch Ultra 3 has the longest rating: up to 42 hours in normal use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. Series 11 is rated for up to 24 hours and SE 3 for up to 18 hours.
Does Apple Watch SE 3 have ECG or blood-pressure monitoring?
No. SE 3 does not include ECG, hypertension notifications or blood-pressure measurement. Series 11 and Ultra 3 include ECG and hypertension notifications, but those notifications are not blood-pressure readings.
Can these Apple Watch models work with Android phones?
No. Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE 3 require an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26 or later.
Is Apple Watch Ultra 3 worth the extra cost?
It is worth considering if you need its 49mm titanium design, 3,000-nit sapphire display, longer battery life, dual-frequency GPS, advanced water resistance or satellite communications. For everyday notifications, sleep tracking and standard workouts, Series 11 or SE 3 is usually better value.
The Bottom Line
Series 11 is the best default choice for most buyers because it combines a broad health-sensor set with a range of sizes and a lower price than Ultra 3. SE 3 is the budget pick and has an Always-On display, S10 chip and current software features, but omits ECG and hypertension notifications. Ultra 3 is the specialist option: its battery, titanium case, GPS, diving capability and satellite tools are compelling for outdoor users, while unnecessary for people who mainly want an Apple Watch for calls, notifications, health tracking and workouts.
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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.
