The Apple Watch SE is the more budget-friendly version of Apple's wrist-worn device. It doesn't feature anywhere near as much as the popular Apple Watch 10, and isn't as rugged and hard-wearing as the Apple Watch Ultra 2, but it's a great watch if you're looking to track the basics.
The Apple Watch SE hasn't been updated since 2022, so it looks likely that Apple will refresh its budget watch this September, alongside the release of the Apple Watch 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Here are all the leaks and rumors, including predictions for price, design, features, and its overall outlook.
- Apple Watch SE 3 might be available in two different sizes
- Updated S11 chip
- There are rumors that the Apple Watch SE 3 might move to a colorful, plastic casing
Apple Watch SE 3 Cheat Sheet: Biggest rumors
- Release date prediction: September 2025
- Price prediction: $199 to $249 and up
- Design: Same basic design as the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch SE (2022), though potentially slightly larger; Apple may switch from a metal case to a plastic one to keep costs and weight down
- Display: More durable display, same screen as the 2022
- Chip: S11 chip
- Features: Possible, ECG tracking and AI-driven health/fitness tracking
- Software: watchOS 26
Apple Watch SE 3: price and availability
Despite rumors pointing to a release last year, the Apple Watch SE 3 didn't materialize, so it's looking likely it'll drop this September instead.
As for price, the current SE model starts $249 for the 40mm size and $279 for the 44mm variant. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claims that Apple may release the SE at an even lower price, which would be a nice surprise.
The lower price may come from some design decisions Apple is reportedly making with the new watch — more on that below.
Apple Watch SE 3: design and display
One big change that Apple might make with the SE 3 is moving from a partially metal body to an all-plastic version. Allegedly, Apple is toying with the idea in an attempt to reduce costs and speed up production. There have also been leaks that this might lead to more colorful options to choose from.
The 2022 models already changed the case to a nylon composite plastic, but the shell remained aluminum. The change would make the device less environmentally friendly, though, and Apple has been pushing to increase the sustainability of its products.
According to display analyst Ross Young, we might be getting two options with the Apple Watch SE 3: 1.6-inch and 1.8-inch displays. This is similar to the Apple Watch 7, which had 41mm and 45mm screens. It's likely the Apple Watch SE 3 will have a thinner design, with slimmed-down bezels.
Apple Watch SE 3: Specs and features
It looks like Apple accidentally leaked the news that the Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch 11, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 will all use the same S11 chip. This chip is very similar to that used in the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Series 10, but it will feel like a huge improvement over the S8 chip used in the current Apple Watch SE 2.
Briefly, we have no word on the SE 3's potential battery but the 2022 version had a 245 mAh battery that lasted about 18 hours. We expect at a minimum a bigger battery with some software optimization to maybe crack the 24-hour mark.
The Apple Watch 7 introduced fast charging to Apple's watch lineup, but the SE 2022 did not get that feature. We imagine the third-generation SE watch will probably get fast charging.
The Apple Watch SE 3 will more than likely bring features from the Watch 8 and Watch 9, but it's unclear what ones. The SE watches have focused on essential health tracking, with more advanced tracking slated for the flagship watches.
We're not sure what Apple will consider essential between 2022 and now, though we could see ECG tracking finally make its way into the SE, something that has been available in the main series since 2018.
As for software, it's likely the SE 3 will launch with watchOS 26, the next iteration of its wearable operating system.
Apple Watch SE 3: Outlook
If what we've heard so far is right, then the Apple Watch SE 3 could be a big update to the budget-friendly model from 2022. Apple often debuts watches in September, so it'll be three years since the last version of the SE if the company releases the new model this year.
But what would really make the budget wearable more attractive is the price. With Google slowly killing Fitbit and transitioning the company's smartwatches to Android-only Pixel Watch models, Apple could fill the void left by the cheaper Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4.
It's clear that Apple sees these smartwatches as a critical part of its lineup. While we may not know much for certain yet, September could see a big update for fans of the value-focused watch.
More from Tom's Guide
- Apple Watch 11 — all the rumors so far
- I walked 5,000 steps with the Apple Watch 10 vs. Fitbit Charge 6 — this device was more accurate
- 5 features to try first on your new Apple Watch
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