Smartwatches · 2025 · Apple

Apple Watch SE 3 (44 mm, GPS)

The Apple Watch SE 3 is Apple's entry smartwatch: S10 chip, the first Always-On LTPO OLED display in the line, fast charging, a temperature sensor, sleep score and a speaker. It has no ECG or blood oxygen measurement, uses single-frequency GPS, its battery can be limited to about a day under heavy use, and it works only with an iPhone.

44 mm GPS · aluminium case (Midnight / Starlight)

Specifications

SpecificationValue
AnnouncementSeptember 9, 2025; on sale from September 19, 2025
Case44 mm aluminium; 44 × 38 × 10.7 mm

A 40 mm version also exists with different size, display and battery values.

Weight32.9 g (GPS)
DisplayAlways-On Retina, LTPO OLED; 368 × 448 pixels, 977 mm², 326 ppi

Because the LTPO panel can lower its refresh rate, the display keeps showing the time and notifications with the wrist down; this is the first SE with Always-On.

Brightness1,000 nits peak; 2 nits minimum
Front glassIon-X glass

Apple claims 4x better crack resistance than the SE 2.

ProcessorApple S10 SiP; 64-bit dual-core processor, 4-core Neural Engine

The S10 enables the Always-On display, double tap and wrist flick gestures, on-device Siri and fast charging.

Storage64 GB
SensorsSecond-generation optical heart sensor, temperature sensor, compass, always-on altimeter, high-g accelerometer, high dynamic range gyroscope, ambient light sensor

There is no ECG or blood oxygen sensor. The temperature sensor is not intended for medical use.

Health featuresHeart rate and rhythm notifications, sleep apnoea notifications, sleep stages and sleep score, cycle tracking

Feature availability varies by country.

GesturesDouble tap; wrist flick (watchOS 26)

Wrist flick dismisses notifications and calls, silences alarms and returns to the watch face with one hand.

SpeakerYes; can play music and podcasts
Water resistance50 metres (ISO 22810:2010); swimproof
WirelessWi-Fi 4 (802.11n, 2.4 GHz only); Bluetooth 5.3
LocationL1 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou

This is single-frequency (L1) GPS; position can drift under trees and between tall buildings.

Battery lifeUp to 18 hours of normal use; up to 32 hours in Low Power Mode

In Apple's test the watch stays connected to an iPhone over Bluetooth throughout; results vary with use and settings.

ChargingFast charging: about 80% in 45 minutes; 15 minutes gives up to 8 hours of use

Times are with the included Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable; no adapter is included.

CompatibilityiPhone 11 or later, iPhone SE (2nd generation) or later
Colour optionsMidnight or Starlight aluminium case

From the manufacturer

Apple says the SE 3 brings an Always-On display, fast charging and health features to an affordable watch, charging up to 2x faster than the previous generation and reaching about 80% in 45 minutes. Apple Support

Strengths and limitations

  • Expert Reviews says average and maximum heart rate on runs stayed within 1.24% of other devices, but the watch occasionally lost its lock and left gaps. GPS was good enough for distance and pace training, though it smoothed corners, placed the runner on the road instead of the pavement and struggled under trees.

    Expert Reviews, January 19, 2026; 40 mm unit, GPS/cellular not stated; test duration not given.

    Expert Reviews: Apple Watch SE 3 review
  • The same review finds the 1,000-nit display readable in most conditions but smaller and dimmer than the Series 11; the reviewer charges it daily and names battery life as the main weakness.

    Expert Reviews, 40 mm unit; battery not measured, daily-use impression.

    Expert Reviews: Apple Watch SE 3 review

Owner experiences and issues

  • Among 44 mm buyers on Skroutz, Yannis Ag says the watch lasts more than a day with Always-On turned off, while Milton_Kevoh finds battery drain too high. Several 40 mm buyers on the same page (Polyxeni_Iordanou, panhri, Manos__t) complain that it does not last a full day.

    Skroutz, 44 mm Midnight page, 2026; the page mixes reviews for the 40 mm and different band options. Short texts with verified-purchase labels, no settings or usage detail.

    Skroutz: Apple Watch SE 3 44mm Midnight user reviews
  • On Skroutz, SMA_R says the speaker is quiet and can be covered on thick wrists, making calls hard to hear; Prokopios_Kefalas, after about two months, says the case scratches easily and finds sleep tracking useful.

    Skroutz, June–July 2026; verified-purchase labels, single-person reports; Prokopios has the 40 mm model.

    Skroutz: Apple Watch SE 3 44mm Midnight user reviews
  • On Coolblue, Bob says that on his own 40 mm watch the battery often lasted a day and a half, the sleep score was always high even after short, restless nights, and the screen is small with thick bezels.

    Coolblue, 44 mm Starlight page, March 19, 2026; the reviewer says he uses the 40 mm model. The page shows 55 ratings with three visible texts.

    Coolblue: Apple Watch SE 3 44mm Starlight customer reviews

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Sources

  1. Apple Support: Apple Watch SE 3 tech specs
  2. Apple Newsroom: Apple introduces Apple Watch SE 3
  3. Apple Newsroom: New versions of Apple's software platforms are available today
  4. Expert Reviews: Apple Watch SE 3 review
  5. Coolblue: Apple Watch SE 3 44mm Starlight customer reviews
  6. Skroutz: Apple Watch SE 3 44mm Midnight user reviews