Apple Watch SE 3 looks set to drop tomorrow — and this is the rumored upgrade I’m most excited about

The Apple Watch SE is the most affordable Apple Watch, making it best suited for those new to the Apple Watch or on a budget. There’s been a question mark around whether we’ll see an upgraded version of the Apple Watch SE at tomorrow’s ‘Awe Dropping’ event, but the Apple Watch SE 3 seems to have been confirmed in a last-minute leak.
As reported by MacRumors, a private account on X, which has previously shared accurate Apple leaks, confirmed yesterday that we’ll see the Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 drop tomorrow.
The leak appeared to confirm that the new Apple Watch SE 3 will have the same architecture as the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Series 10 chips. That upgrade should feel like a huge improvement over the S8 chip used in the current Apple Watch SE 2.
I’ve been keeping a close eye on the Apple Watch SE 3 rumors as they drop, and the potential update I’m most excited about is in the potential redesign of the budget Apple Watch, which, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, might be cheaper than ever this year.
The Apple Watch SE 2 retailed at $249 for the 40mm size and $279 for the 44mm variant, but there are rumors that the new Apple Watch SE 3 might fall below the $200 mark, making it more accessible in the process.
There’s also a rumor that, for the first time, the Apple Watch SE 3 will move from a partially metal body to an all-plastic version. Allegedly, Apple has been 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.
I review wearables for a living, and my favorite watch of 2025 so far is the Garmin Forerunner 570 for this reason — I opted for the yellow and pink option, and love the pop of color on my wrist. I’m super excited to see whether Apple will follow in Garmin’s footsteps.
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Another rumor I’m excited about is the redesign of the Health app — according to Mark Gurman, Apple has been working on a major Health app revamp, which is code-named Project Mulberry.
This update will see the app give users actionable insights based on their data, as well as an AI health coach that would provide recommendations. As the Apple Watch SE has always only tracked the basics, it’s unlikely it’ll have all the new AI capabilities, but whether the affordable watch gets new health features remains to be seen.
One thing is for sure, we don’t have long to wait. Keep an eye on Tom’s Guide, as we’ll be bringing you all the latest Apple Watch news as it drops.
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Jane McGuire is Tom's Guide's Fitness editor, which means she looks after everything fitness related - from running gear to yoga mats. An avid runner, Jane has tested and reviewed fitness products for the past five years, so knows what to look for when finding a good running watch or a pair of shorts with pockets big enough for your smartphone. When she's not pounding the pavements, you'll find Jane striding round the Surrey Hills, taking far too many photos of her puppy.
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