Apple Watch SE 3 vs Apple Watch Series 11 — Quick Comparison and Buying Guide
The new Apple Watch SE 3 (starts at $249; $299 for cellular) has closed the gap with the flagship Series 11 (starts at $399). Both run watchOS 26 and share the S10 chip, Always‑On Retina displays, 5G on cellular models, important safety features (Fall & Crash Detection, Emergency SOS), and many core health and tracking tools. But the Series 11 still leads in advanced health sensing, display brightness/size, battery life and premium materials.
What’s the same
- watchOS 26 and S10 chip (similar performance)
- Always‑On Retina display (first for SE line)
- Basic health & safety: heart notifications, sleep tracking, temperature sensing, Cycle Tracking, noise monitoring, Fall & Crash Detection
- 5G on cellular models, gesture controls, water resistance to 50m
- Fast charge capable, Ion‑X glass on base models, 64GB storage
Where Series 11 pulls ahead
- Advanced health: ECG, blood-oxygen monitoring and FDA‑cleared hypertension notifications (not on SE 3)
- Much brighter and larger displays; thinner case
- Longer battery (up to ~24h vs ~18h on SE 3; extended low‑power modes differ)
- Titanium case and sapphire crystal options; more color choices
- Extra niche sensors: depth gauge, water temp, improved dust resistance
How to choose
If cutting‑edge health tools, battery life and premium materials matter, start with the Series 11. If you want strong core features, safety, and lower cost (especially for kids or seniors who need cellular), the SE 3 is a compelling value.
Where to learn more or buy
Official Apple pages: Apple Watch Series 11 • Apple Watch SE
Amazon product searches (affiliate): Apple Watch Series 11 on Amazon • Apple Watch SE 3 on Amazon
Note: These models go on sale in stores on Friday, September 19. Consider which features you’ll use and how long you plan to keep the watch before deciding.