Apple looks set to kill the Apple Watch 3 this week

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it seems like the Apple Watch 3 is on its last legs but the Apple Watch SE 2 could replace it

apple watch 3 on wrist
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

It looks like the Apple Watch 3’s days are officially numbered. After being on sale for almost five years, the smartwatch has started dropping out of stock on the Apple website. MacRumors notes that three out of four Apple Watch 3 models are out of stock in the U.K. and Australia, while one model is unavailable in the U.S. 

There are two other important facts to take into consideration here as well. The first is that there’s an Apple event happening this Wednesday (September 7), and we’re expecting to see as many as three new Apple Watch models. It’s also been confirmed that the Apple Watch 3 will not be compatible with watchOS 9, which is likely to start rolling out in the coming weeks.

Apple typically isn’t vocal about the discontinuation of products. Instead products have a habit of disappearing from Apple’s online store, and eventually get added to the company’s list of vintage or obsolete products. 

Despite the Apple Watch 3’s longevity, the Apple Watch 4 and Apple Watch 5 didn’t get quite the same treatment from Apple. Both models have long been discontinued, and Apple doesn’t even seem to sell refurbished Apple Watch 4 models anymore. However, both models will get watchOS 9 upgrades when the software is released.

Tom Pritchard
Tom Pritchard
UK Phones Editor

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.