Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, SE 3: Full Specs Compared
▼ Summary
– Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3, and Ultra 3 smartwatches during its September 2025 iPhone event, featuring iterative designs but several new features.
– The SE 3 is the most affordable model at $249, now featuring the S10 chipset, an always-on display, temperature sensors, and optional 5G connectivity for an additional $50.
– The Series 11 starts at $399 and offers enhanced battery life of up to 24 hours per charge, along with hypertension notifications pending FDA clearance.
– The Ultra 3 introduces satellite messaging for off-grid communication, a larger screen due to smaller bezels, and improved battery life.
– All three new models run on the S10 chipset and watchOS 26, with early impressions available and full reviews forthcoming.
Apple’s latest smartwatch lineup for 2025 brings meaningful updates across the board, with the Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 each offering distinct advantages tailored to different user needs and budgets. While the designs remain familiar, significant internal improvements and new health and connectivity features make this year’s models compelling upgrades for many users.
The most budget-friendly option, the Apple Watch SE 3, starts at $249 and now shares the same powerful S10 chipset found in the more expensive models. Available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, it introduces an always-on display, temperature sensors for advanced health insights like ovulation tracking, and built-in speaker audio playback. For an additional $50, users can opt for 5G connectivity, enhancing its versatility.
Stepping up, the Series 11 begins at $399 for the 42mm GPS model, rising to $499 for the cellular version. Its standout improvement is enhanced battery life, now reaching up to 24 hours on a single charge. It also introduces hypertension monitoring, pending FDA approval, a feature that will also roll out to the Series 9 and later models via software update.
At the premium end, the Ultra 3 retains its $799 starting price but gains the ability to send messages via satellite when beyond cellular range. The display is larger thanks to slimmer bezels, though the case size remains unchanged. Battery life sees a welcome boost, and it continues to offer the most rugged build and advanced sensors suited for extreme conditions.
Early hands-on impressions suggest these watches feel refined and responsive, with full reviews expected soon. For those comparing specifications, the new models bring uniform upgrades in processing power, health features, and connectivity, while maintaining the design language and core functionality Apple users expect.
Below is a detailed breakdown of how each model compares to its predecessor:
Apple Watch Series 11 vs. Series 10
- Identical starting prices: $399 (GPS), $499 (cellular)
- Same case sizes: 42mm and 46mm
- Materials: aluminum or titanium
- Weight nearly identical across configurations
- Series 11 offers improved battery life: up to 24 hours vs. 18 hours
- Both feature always-on displays, 2000 nits brightness, and identical resolutions
- Shared features include hypertension notifications, temperature sensing, and the second-gen ultra-wideband chip
Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs. Ultra 2
- Same $799 starting price
- 49mm case size maintained
- Titanium construction with similar weight
- Ultra 3 adds satellite messaging capability
- Screen size increased due to reduced bezels
- Battery life improved: up to 42 hours vs. 36 hours
- Both rated to 100m water resistance and MIL-STD 810H durability
Apple Watch SE 3 vs. SE (2022)
- Base model remains $249, cellular version now $299 (5G vs. LTE)
- Sizes unchanged: 40mm and 44mm
- SE 3 gains the S10 chip, matching Series 11 and Ultra 3
- New always-on display and temperature sensor
- Storage doubles to 64GB
- Retains water resistance up to 50 meters
Across all models, watchOS 26 brings consistency in software experience, while health and safety features like fall detection, crash detection, and emergency SOS are standard. The Ultra 3 remains the only model with a built-in siren, dive computer functionality, and satellite-based emergency features.
(Source: The Verge)
