As the Apple Watch Series 3 is a bit older, first introduced back in 2017 as opposed to the 2020 debut of the Apple Watch SE, the display isn't quite as advanced as on its stablemate. Both offer two sizes: The Series 3 is available with a 42mm or 38mm case.
Meanwhile, the Apple Watch SE remains Apple's mid-tier option. It skips on some health sensors and doesn't support an always-on display, but it starts at a fair $279. The Apple Watch 7 starts at $399.Apple Watch 7 vs. Apple Watch SE: Specs compared.
Apple Watch 7 | Apple Watch SE | |
---|---|---|
Always-on display | Yes | No |
It's something of an updated version of the Apple Watch 3 with the same health tracking capabilities but a newer chipset that should make it compatible with new watchOS versions for years to come.
The Apple Watch Series 6 offers a number of compelling updates on 2019's Series 5, offering a new S6 processor, a U1 ultra-wideband chip, and blood oxygen monitoring, for a price starting at $399. At the same time, Apple introduced an entirely new model of Apple Watch; Apple Watch SE.
Specs and performance As we've just touched upon, the iPhone 12 runs on a newer, more up to date processor in the A14 Bionic. While the iPhone SE (2020)'s A13 Bionic is no slouch, it comes in second to the newer chip in every way.
In terms of real-world performance, Apple says the Apple Watch SE is up to two times faster than the Series 3. This means you can expect performance of apps, Siri, Maps, and other features to run notably faster with the Apple Watch SE than with the Apple Watch Series 3.
Apple originally sold cellular versions of the Apple Watch Series 3, but has since discontinued them. Now, the only lower-cost Apple Watch with cellular option from Apple is the Apple Watch SE. You may, however, be able to find a cellular Apple Watch Series 3 for sale via a third-party reseller.
Apple released the iPhone 11 in late 2019, and has bumped it down in price since then to make it more accessible as new iPhone models have been released. On the other hand, the iPhone SE launched in early 2020 as a low-cost iPhone option, prior to being replaced by the third-generation model in 2022.
Can a two-year-old phone beat a new one? Apple sells two iPhones that start below $500: The $499 iPhone 11 (now two generations old), and the just-released $429 third-generation iPhone SE. You might be temped to buy the new iPhone SE…after all, it's newer, less expensive, and has a better processor.
Most strikingly, the Apple Watch SE is 0.7mm thinner than the Apple Watch Series 3.
iPhone SE (2020) vs iPhone XR price and availability The iPhone SE is the newer phone of the two, having landed in shops on April 24, 2020. The 64GB model starts from $399 / £399 / AU$679, but you can upgrade to 128GB for $449 / £449 / AU$759 and 256GB for $549 / £549 / AU$929.
Summary: The SE's fall detection, noise monitoring, compass, and an always-on altimeter are notable upgrades from Series 3, but the ability to add cellular may be the most important. Another hidden advantage is that the SE should get new software updates for longer.
Previously, Apple Watch SE shipped with Apple's standard Magnetic Charging Cable, which terminates in a USB-A connector. That cable still ships with Apple Watch Series 3.