Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 Reviews: Which is the Biggest Upgrade?
Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3: A Detailed Review
The latest Apple Watches – the Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 – are finally here, and early reviews are in. This comprehensive overview dives into each model's strengths and weaknesses, helping you decide which watch best fits your needs and budget.
Apple Watch Series 11: A Minor, But Significant, Upgrade
The Series 11 presents a relatively modest upgrade over its predecessor, the Series 10. While Apple boasts a significant battery life improvement – up to 24 hours, a six-hour increase – a closer look reveals a nuance. Apple altered its testing methodology to incorporate six hours of daily sleep tracking. This raises questions about the true extent of the battery life enhancement.
Reviews offer some clarity. CNET's Vanessa Hand Orellana reports consistently achieving 27 to 32 hours of battery life with heavy usage, including workouts, sleep tracking, and frequent notifications. Read her full review here.
TechRadar's Jacob Krol also found the Series 11 battery life promising. He observed a full day and a half of usage with light use on the 46mm model. Check out his review for details. However, considering the Series 10's advertised 18-hour battery life was widely considered an underestimate, more rigorous testing is needed to definitively quantify the year-over-year improvement.
Beyond battery, the Series 11 boasts a display with double the scratch resistance of its predecessor (for aluminum models; titanium models already had durable sapphire glass). Cellular models now support 5G connectivity. However, notable health features like Hypertension Notifications (compatible with Series 9 and later) and Sleep Score (Series 6 and later) aren't exclusive to the Series 11, making it, as some reviewers note, one of Apple's smallest upgrades ever.
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Enhanced Endurance and Connectivity
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 builds upon its predecessor with a more substantial upgrade. The key improvements include an extended 42-hour battery life, direct satellite Emergency SOS (previously iPhone-dependent), a slightly larger display, and 5G support for cellular versions.
9to5Mac's Zac Hall highlights the satellite SOS feature in his review. While functional, it does have limitations, namely the requirement for a clear view of the sky, thus hindering its utility in certain environments. Read his detailed assessment here.
Apple Watch SE 3: The Budget Champion
The Apple Watch SE 3, updated for the first time in three years, emerges as a compelling value proposition. This budget-friendly option is packed with significant features, erasing the gap between it and higher-end models. It includes a powerful S10 chip, an always-on display, Double Tap gesture support, wrist temperature sensing for ovulation estimates, sleep apnea detection, fast charging, 5G cellular support, on-device Siri, and compatibility with the new Sleep Score feature.
The Verge's Victoria Song unequivocally declares the Apple Watch SE 3 the best choice for most users. Her review elaborates on the device’s impressive value and features. She suggests the improvements may be partially driven by Apple's aim to revitalize sales following declining Apple Watch shipments.
Conclusion: Choosing Your Apple Watch
The choices are clear: the Series 11 offers incremental improvements primarily in battery life and scratch resistance, the Ultra 3 is a more rugged and durable option with enhanced communication features, and the SE 3 is a budget-friendly powerhouse packing almost as many features as its premium siblings. Your best choice depends on your priorities and budget. Consider what features are most important to you – longer battery life, rugged design, advanced health tracking, or simply the best value for your money.
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