We put the Apple Watch SE 3 and Series 11 to the test to see which is the better buy
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Apple Watch SE 3 vs. Series 11: Price and availability
Tyler Hayes/Business Insider
The Apple Watch Series 11 is available in 42mm or 46mm sizes, with or without 5G cellular support. You can mix and match size and connectivity across configurations, with the 42mm starting at $399 and the 46mm at $429. The default configuration has an aluminum casing, but a titanium option is available for cellular models, starting at $699 for the 42mm and $749 for the 46mm.
The Apple Watch SE 3 is available in 40mm or 44mm sizes, with or without 5G cellular connectivity. The 40mm size starts at $249, and the 44mm size starts at $279. The SE 3 is only available with an aluminum casing.
Both watches were released in September 2025. The Series watches are typically refreshed with new models annually, while the SE watches are traditionally refreshed every few years.
Apple Watch SE 3 vs. Series 11: What's different?
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Before diving into the differences, it's worth noting some similarities between the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE 3. There are a few that might surprise you. Both use the same S10 chip, offer 5G connectivity options, and have 64GB of storage. They each have sleep tracking, wrist temperature tracking, cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates, and sleep apnea notifications.
Of course, they share all the same smartwatch basics, too. The SE 3 and Series 11 can each make phone calls, receive text notifications, and access dozens of apps, including Weather, Wallet, News, Music, Mail, Calculator, and Calendar, when paired with an iPhone, WiFi, or a cellular connection.
However, the two watches do have some key differences in design and features. The Series 11 comes in 42 and 46mm sizes, while the SE 3 comes in 40 and 44mm sizes. The 44mm SE 3 does look and feel smaller than the 46mm Series 11 when comparing them directly. But without both models on hand, it's much harder to notice the difference. When I tested the 44mm SE 3, I got over any size difference after a day or two.
The Series 11's screen has double the peak brightness of the SE 3's, with 2,000 nits versus 1,000. The Series 11's display also maintains brightness better across viewing angles. Again, in actual real-world use, this is less noticeable than you might expect. I never felt like I couldn't see the SE 3. Some locations and circumstances may pose more challenges, but in typical use, the screens look similar.
The Series 11 is rated for 24 hours of battery, while the SE 3 is rated for 18 hours. In practice, after getting frequent notifications throughout the day and doing a 30-minute exercise, both were low and needed to be charged overnight. Technically, the Series 11 can charge faster than the SE 3, but you'll only notice if you're counting down the seconds.
The most significant differences come down to the sensors and apps that the SE 3 lacks, and that's where the Series 11 has a clear edge. For example, the SE 3 doesn't have an electrical heart sensor, so it can't take ECG readings. And though both watches are water-resistant to 50 meters, the SE 3 lacks water-temperature and depth sensors. The SE 3 is also missing support for Apple's blood oxygen app.
It's also worth noting that the SE 3 comes in only two colors: midnight for a dark look and starlight for a lighter look. The Series 11 has four aluminum colors, including rose gold, and three titanium options, including a shiny gold.
Apple Watch SE 3 vs. Series 11: Health and fitness
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When it comes to exercise and fitness, the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE 3 share several features. Both watches support the Vitals app, which aggregates heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, and sleep duration. Each can do training load, noise monitoring, and support gymkit (the tech for connecting to treadmills and other gym equipment).
You shouldn't see much difference between these two for things like casual running, walking, hiking, and HIIT. You can swim with both, but if you're in the pool regularly, you'll prefer the Series 11, since it has water-depth and temperature readings that the SE 3 lacks. If you're doing frequent, longer workouts, you might also notice a bit less battery life on the SE 3 compared to the Series 11.
But while the SE 3 is no slouch for basic fitness needs, the Series 11 takes its capabilities further by including an electrical heart sensor for on-demand ECG readings to detect AFib. It also supports hypertension notifications and the blood oxygen app, both of which are missing from the SE 3.
Doing your own single-lead ECG test on an Apple Watch isn't the same as getting checked for AFib by a doctor, but it may still serve as an early warning if you're susceptible. Apple tries to discourage people with high blood pressure from relying on its hypertension notifications, positioning the feature as a warning for people before they know. Ultimately, I consider these features worthy inclusions in the "nice to have" category, even though I don't use them regularly. They also help cement the Series 11 as a pick in our guide to the best fitness trackers.
Note: Because of a patent dispute, the Series 11 can take blood-oxygen readings from the watch's sensor but can't display the results on the watch. So, the readings are only shown in the Health app on an iPhone.
Apple Watch SE 3 vs. Series 11: Sleep tracking
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If your primary use of the Apple Watch will be sleep tracking, then the SE 3 might be the best choice. It's the lightest-weight Apple Watch, and I've found it to be the least disruptive while sleeping.
And since the SE 3 currently matches all the sleep tracking features of the Series 11, the choice comes down to look, feel, and price. The Series 11 works well, but I don't think having the brightest display or largest screen matters much when you're dreaming.
Apple Watch SE 3 vs. Series 11: Specs
| Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch Series 11 | |
| Starting price | $249 | $399 |
| Screen sizes | 40mm, 44mm | 42mm, 46mm |
| Screen type | Retina LTPO OLED | Retina LTPO3 OLED |
| Peak brightness | 1,000 nits | 2,000 nits |
| Sensors |
|
|
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
The bottom line
Tyler Hayes/Business Insider
The Apple Watch Series 11 is the best Apple Watch for people who want it all. It has design appeal with its sleek frame and big, bright screen, and it features advanced sensors not found on Apple's cheaper SE 3. Newcomers and people upgrading from a Series 7 or earlier will be wowed by the Series 11's capabilities. However, people who already have a Series 9 or 10 will be unimpressed and potentially bored by the Series 11. But for users who don't already have a recent Apple Watch, the Series 11 is the smartwatch to beat. You can learn more in our full Apple Watch Series 11 review.
Meanwhile, it's easy to look at the lower-priced Apple Watch SE 3 as the cheap one, but in terms of capabilities, it shouldn't be discounted. Its biggest omissions are around health. Those even a little bit intrigued by the prospect of hypertension notifications or regular ECG checks should avoid the SE 3. Those are features I like to have just in case, even if I don't use them all the time. With that in mind, kids and teens are especially good candidates for the SE 3, as they won't miss those capabilities. In daily use, the SE 3 performs well and is a nice alternative for younger users or those who want to save some money. You can learn more in our full Apple Watch SE 3 review.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 11