This 12 months, Apple has made it more durable to decide on an Apple Watch mannequin. Do you go for the stalwart Apple Watch Series 11 that continues the design and options of its predecessor, or go massive with the Apple Watch Ultra 3? Or, new this 12 months is a surprisingly succesful Apple Watch SE that may be simply what you want.Let’s get into the main points. Watch this: Apple Watch Ultra 3 Review: Is it Worthy of the Name and the $800 Price Tag?
08:07 Pricing the Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE 3 The 2025 Apple Watch line spans a large worth vary, beginning as little as $249 for the Apple Watch SE 3 and going as excessive as $1,299 for a titanium Apple Watch Series 11 with an Hermès band. Like most style equipment, you possibly can select from totally different case sizes, supplies, mobile connectivity choices and bands to seek out the suitable match — and worth — to your watch. The Apple Watch Series 11 provides the widest worth vary, with two case sizes, two physique supplies, non-obligatory mobile connectivity and premium Hermès fashions. The Apple Watch SE 3 is just obtainable in aluminum and has the sooner, barely smaller case sizes. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 comes solely in titanium, with a single 49mm measurement and mobile included by default. Read extra: Find one of the best offers on the Series 11 and Ultra 3.Here’s how they break down: Apple Watch Series 11 GPSGPS plus mobile42mm aluminum $399$49946mm aluminum $429$52942mm titanium $69946mm titanium $749Hermès 42mm titanium $1,249Hermès 46mm titanium $1,299Apple Watch SE 3 42mm aluminum $249$29946mm aluminum $279$329Apple Watch Ultra 3 49mm titanium $799Hermès 49mm titanium $1,399 Series 11 vs. Ultra 3, SE 3 bodily designs The core rounded-rectangle design of the Apple Watch has seen incremental adjustments since its first iterations. The Series 11 shares the slimmer 9.7mm peak profile of the Series 10, with 42mm and 46mm diagonal sizes. Weight is mild throughout the board, from 29.7 to 43.1 grams relying on measurement and case materials. Aluminum fashions are available house grey, jet black, rose gold or silver, whereas titanium variations are supplied in pure, slate or gold finishes. Left to proper: All three Apple Watch fashions: Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE 3. Celso Bulgatti/CNETThe Apple Watch SE 3 is barely thicker (10.7mm) and barely smaller, with 40mm and 44mm sizes. Its design most carefully harkens again to earlier Apple Watch fashions. It weighs 26.4 grams or 33 grams, relying on the case measurement. And because the no-frills possibility, the SE 3 is available in both midnight (black) or starlight (silver).The Ultra 3 is essentially the most important departure from the unique design, with 14.4mm thickness, 49mm diagonal measurement and a extra strong weight of 61.6 grams. Its titanium physique is available in both pure or black — until you go for the Hermès version, which is just supplied in pure. CNET lead author Vanessa Hand Orellana described the Ultra 3 in her evaluate as being “like the luxury Land Rover you see in safari brochures: It’s adventure-ready on the outside, with all the modern conveniences on the inside.” The physique can also be 3D-printed utilizing 100% recycled titanium, however you’d by no means understand it; there are not one of the telltale layering indications discovered on most 3D-printed objects. The Apple Watch Ultra 3. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNETEach watch has Apple’s Digital Crown and a facet button. The Ultra 3 additionally features a programmable Action button, which may, for instance, begin a exercise with a single press.Looks apart, all three Apple Watch fashions are constructed for sturdiness. The SE 3 is waterproof to 50 meters, so that you need not child it — whether or not you are showering, swimming or simply dwelling by way of a wet Pacific Northwest day.The Series 11 can also be rated for water resistance to 50 meters, whereas the Ultra 3 doubles that with a 100-meter score. They’re each additionally licensed as IP6X mud resistant, which is best than the SE. Series 11 vs. Ultra 3, SE 3 shows The Series 11 and Ultra 3 each use an LPTO 3 OLED show, which has some great benefits of staying at all times on, supplying you with a large viewing angle, so you do not want to take a look at it head-on to see the time. It can even get very vivid: 2,000 nits of peak brightness for the Series 11 and 3,000 nits (the identical because the iPhone 17 Pro) for the Ultra 3. The energy-efficient display can refresh its show at only one nit of brightness as soon as each second when in its passive state, so you possibly can at all times see the second hand or indicator (relying on the watch face). The Apple Watch Series 11 (proven right here) and Ultra 3 have screens which can be simpler to see at an angle. Cole Kan/CNET/AppleThe show is protected by sapphire crystal on the titanium Series 11 and the Ultra 3. According to Apple, the aluminum Series 11 makes use of Ion-X glass, which is twice as scratch-resistant because the Series 10.In previous generations, the SE was caught with the lowest-quality display, however not this time. The SE 3 will get an always-on LTPO OLED show that reaches as much as 2,000 nits of brightness and dims to simply 2 nits when inactive. But it would not refresh as typically because the Series 11 and Ultra 3, so the seconds indicator solely seems when the display is lively. It’s nonetheless a giant “quality of life” bump from prior SE watches, which haven’t got an always-on show mode. The 40mm starlight Apple Watch SE 3 on CNET’s Vanessa Hand Orellana’s 6.5″ wrist. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET Series 11 vs. Ultra 3, SE 3 battery life One surprise with the new Apple Watch lineup is improved battery life in the Series 11 and Ultra 3, plus a fast-charge option on the SE 3 that makes it easy to top up for a night’s sleep after a full day.Apple claims up to 24 hours of use on a battery charge for the Series 11, up from the Series 10’s 18 hours. It also claims up to 38 hours in Low Power mode, a notch above the 36 hours of the Series 10. That fast-charging option can bring the battery level up to 80% in 30 minutes, but putting the watch on its charger for just 15 minutes can boost it for up to eight hours. Hand Orellana writes in her Series 11 review, “The six-hour battery bump on the Series 11 could not sound like a lot on paper, but it surely’s given me some welcome respiration room to determine a greater charging technique.”The SE 3 still delivers up to 18 hours of use, or 32 hours in Low Power mode. It also supports fast charging — up to 80% in 45 minutes, or about eight hours of use from a quick 15-minute top-up. The Apple Watch SE 3 charges to 80% in 45 minutes, or can pick up enough power for eight hours of sleep tracking in just eight minutes on its charger. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNETIf you want the most time between charges, the Ultra 3 remains the Apple Watch to get. It can last for up to 42 hours, per Apple, or up to 72 hours in Low Power mode. Fast charging its larger battery takes it to 80% in about 45 minutes, and 15 minutes on the cable will give you roughly 12 hours of power. Some of these gains come from Apple factoring in a night’s sleep, but credit also goes to the more power-efficient LTPO 3 screen in the Series 11 and Ultra 3.It’s one thing to reference Apple’s claims, but what about battery life in practice? In Hand Orellana’s review of each model, she recorded even better battery life than Apple’s estimates. Keep in mind your daily usage will affect results, but here’s what she found: Apple Watch Apple’s estimateCNET reviewSeries 11 24 hours27-32 hoursUltra 3 42 hours45-49 hoursSE 3 18 hours20-25 hours Series 11 vs. Ultra 3, SE 3 health features The Apple Watch SE line has always sacrificed some hardware and features to remain the least expensive option, and the SE 3 continues that tradition — but not to the same extent. It lacks an electrical heart sensor found in the Series 11 and Ultra 3, so it can’t take heart readings using the ECG app to look for signs of atrial fibrillation (Afib). The sensors on the back of the Apple Watch SE 3. Celso Bulgatti/CNETAccording to Apple, the SE 3 uses a second-generation optical heart sensor that tracks heart rate during exercise, sleep and potential emergencies — though, like all Apple Watches, it can’t detect heart attacks or measure blood oxygen. The Series 11 and Ultra 3 upgrade to third-generation optical heart sensors.The SE 3 is also missing a water temperature sensor and depth gauge, making the Series 11 and Ultra 3 better options if you spend a lot of time in water and want to track swim workouts or shallow dives more reliably. The Hypertension notification on the Apple Watch Series 11 on display at Apple’s Cupertino event, Sept. 9. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNETThis year’s standout health feature is the ability to analyze data and check for signs of possible hypertension, or high blood pressure. “It’s not the total on-the-spot blood stress monitoring Apple followers have lengthy hoped for,” wrote Hand Orellana, “but it surely’s a significant step ahead — one which Apple says may assist 1 million individuals get recognized with hypertension within the first 12 months alone.” Like the sleep apnea monitoring launched final 12 months, hypertension notifications will not be a screening device; consider it as a warning system that prompts you to get checked out by your physician. The Series 11 and Ultra 3 embrace this capacity (sorry, SE 3), and require 30 days of information assortment earlier than triggering notifications. The Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2 additionally get hypertension notifications in WatchOS 26. Series 11 vs. Ultra 3, SE 3 connectivityEach of the Apple Watch fashions helps mobile communications, permitting you to remain related even when your iPhone is at house. You can order the aluminum Series 11 fashions and the SE 3 with the mobile possibility; the titanium Series 11 and the Ultra 3 embrace it by default. What’s distinctive about these watches is their help for each 5G and LTE networks, providing quicker speeds and broader compatibility. Plus, they use 5G Reduced Capacity expertise, which is extra energy environment friendly than the 5G networking in your iPhone. With a mobile Apple Watch, you do not want an iPhone close by. Apple/Screenshot by CNETThey additionally help Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n, at 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies), Bluetooth 5.3 and L1 GPS location chips. The Ultra 3 consists of twin GPS radios (L1 and L5) for extra exact location monitoring, particularly in difficult environments like dense downtown corridors.Plus, the Ultra 3 provides satellite tv for pc connectivity instantly from the watch. With a direct view of the sky, it might probably talk with overhead satellites for sending and receiving texts, sharing your location and accessing emergency companies. Satellite connectivity on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 can ship out emergency messages even once you’re out of cell vary. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET Series 11 vs. Ultra 3, SE 3 processors One of the most important surprises within the lineup? The Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE 3 all embrace the identical S10 chip. It’s price noting that the S10, launched in final 12 months’s Series 10, is not a brand new processor technology for 2025. But every watch now consists of 64 gigabytes of storage, a four-core Neural Engine and a 64-bit dual-core processor. The solely important distinction is that the Apple Watch SE 3 is the one mannequin to not get Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, which is used for exact location monitoring. You can nonetheless use Find My from an iPhone (outfitted with UWB) to inform if the SE 3 is with you or for those who left it at house. But with the Series 11 and Ultra 3, Find My will level you in the suitable path as you get nearer to your mislaid watch. WatchOS 26 on the Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE 3Each mannequin is preloaded with WatchOS 26, which has the brand new Liquid Glass interface (although usually, it is fairly delicate). And all fashions add options like the brand new Wrist Flick gesture, nightly sleep scores, Workout Buddy, the Notes app and stay translation in Messages. The Series 11 and Ultra 3, with their upgraded sensors, additionally acquire hypertension notifications.Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE 3 specs Apple Watch Series 11Apple Watch Ultra 3Apple Watch SE (Third Gen)Design & sizes Rectangular, 42mm, 46mmRectangular, 49mmRectangular, 40mm, 44mmDisplay 42mm: 446 × 374 pixels; LTPO3 OLED Retina show (wide-angle) 46mm: 496 × 416 pixels; LTPO3 OLED Retina show (wide-angle)49mm: 514 × 422 pixels; LTPO3 OLED Retina show (wide-angle, Always-On)44mm: 368 × 448 pixels (Always-On Retina LTPO OLED) Apple 40mm: 324 × 394 pixels (Always-On Retina LTPO OLED)Brightness Between 1 and 2000 nitsBetween 1 and 3000 nitsUp to 1000 nitsThickness & weight 46mm: 9.7mm; 37.8g (aluminum GPS), 36.9g (aluminum GPS+Cellular), 43.1g (titanium) 42mm: 9.7mm; 30.3g (aluminum GPS), 29.7g (aluminum GPS+Cellular), 34.6g (titanium)49mm: 14.4mm; 61.6g (titanium)44mm: 10.7mm; 33.0g (aluminum GPS+Cellular) 40mm: 10.7mm; 26.4g (aluminum GPS+Cellular)Material & end Aluminum: Jet black, rose gold or silver end; Titanium: slate, gold or pure end with sapphire crystal show (titanium) Titanium, pure or black end with sapphire crystal show (titanium) 100% recycled aluminum, midnight and starlightDurability 2X extra scratch resistant glass (aluminum), 5ATM Water + IP6X (mud)Water resistance 100m; mud IP6X, scuba to 40m, examined to MIL-STD 810HCover glass is 4X instances extra proof against cracks than the SE 2; product of Ion-X glass. Water resistant as much as 50 metersBattery life Up to 24 hours, as much as 38 hours Low Power (always-on) + Fast cost: 80% in 30 min, 100% in 60 minUp to 42 hours; as much as 72 hours Low Power. Fast cost to 80% in 45 min, 100% cost 75 minAll-day, 18-hour battery life. Fast charging with 8 hours of regular use in simply 15 minutes on the chargerSensors ECG, Third-gen optical coronary heart sensor, pores and skin temp, depth gauge, SpO2, Noise monitoring, water temperature, compassECG, Third-gen optical coronary heart sensor, pores and skin temp, depth gauge, SpO2, Noise monitoring, water temperature, compassWrist temperature, Second-generation optical coronary heart sensorEmergency options Satellite SOS, Emergency SOS, Fall detection, Crash detection, Check in and BacktrackSatellite SOS, Emergency SOS, Fall detection, Crash detection, Check in and BacktrackFall Detection, Crash Detection, Emergency SOS, and Check InAI & teaching Siri (voice assistant); Workout BuddySiri (voice assistant); Workout BuddyOn-device Siri, Workout BuddyProcessor S10 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor, W3 Apple wi-fi chipS10 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor, W3 Apple wi-fi chipS10 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor, W3 Apple wi-fi chipRAM/Storage 64GB (storage)64GB (storage)64GB (storage)Payments Apple PayApple PayApple PayPrice (US) $399-$750 (titanium)$799$249 (beginning)
