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Apple Watch SE 3 vs. Series 11 Buyers Guide: 30+ Differences Compared

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The Apple Watch SE starts at $249, providing an accessible, low-cost option for those interested in owning an Apple smartwatch. The company also now offers the Apple Watch Series 11, which starts at $399, so what exactly do you get by spending an additional $150 and is it worth it? Our comparison helps to answer the question of which of these two Apple Watch models is best for you.

Apple-Watch-Series-SE-vs-Series-10-Buyers-Guide.jpg

The Apple Watch SE 3 is designed to be a low-cost option that still offers many of the Apple Watch features that have made the device so popular over the years, while the Apple Watch Series 11 offers a more feature-rich experience with additional health monitoring capabilities.

With the latest generation, the Apple Watch SE has a lot more in common with Apple's higher end watches, offering an always-on display, body temperature sensing, sleep apnea detection, 5G connectivity on cellular models, media playback, 64GB of storage, and the S10 chip.

There are still some significant differences between the two devices. Our comparison helps to answer the question of which of these two Apple Watch models is best for you.

Apple Watch SE 3Apple Watch Series 11
Same design as Apple Watch Series 4, 5, and 6Refined design with a thinner casing, display with more rounded edges and a wider aspect ratio, and front glass that extends further over the sides for a higher screen-to-body ratio
40mm or 44mm case size42mm or 46mm case size with edge-to-edge display
Aluminum casingAluminum or titanium casing
IP6X dust resistant
Ion-X glass frontIon-X glass (aluminum) or sapphire crystal (titanium) front
Thicker borders around the displayThinner borders around the display
40mm: 1.57-inch display
44mm: 1.78-inch display		42mm: 1.79-inch display
46mm: 1.99-inch display
LTPO displayLTPO3 display (faster refresh rate in always-on mode, enabling a live ticking seconds hand on select watch faces)
Wide-angle OLED (up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle)
40mm: 324 by 394 pixels with 759 sq mm display area
44mm: 368 by 448 pixels with 977 sq mm display area		42mm: 374x446 pixels 989 sq mm display area
46mm: 416x496 pixels 1,220 sq mm display area
Up to 1,000 nits of brightnessUp to 2,000 nits of brightness
2 nits minimum brightness1 nits minimum brightness
Color-matched nylon composite back caseMetal back with larger charging coil and integrated antenna
Second-generation optical heart sensorThird-generation optical heart sensor
Blood oxygen sensor and Blood Oxygen app
Electrical heart sensor and ECG app
Hypertension detection
Cycle trackingCycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates
Water temperature sensor
Depth gauge to 6m
Depth app
Oceanic+ app for snorkelling (available on the App Store)
Single, elongated speaker holeRedesigned speaker with individual holes
Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip
Find iPhonePrecision Finding for iPhone, providing distance and direction, as well as visual, haptic, and audio guidance to a misplaced iPhone
HomePod integration (when a user gets within four meters of a playing HomePod, the Apple Watch launches Now Playing to control playback. If nothing is playing, media suggestions appear at the top of the Smart Stack.)
Up to 18 hours battery lifeUp to 24 hours battery life
Up to 32 hours battery life in Low Power ModeUp to 38 hours battery life in Low Power Mode
Charge 0–80% in about 45 minutesCharge 0–80% in about 30 minutes
Midnight and Starlight finishesAluminum: Available in anodized Silver, Space Gray, and Rose Gold, and polished Jet Black finishes
Titanium: Available in polished Gold, Slate, and Natural finishes
Starts at $249Starts at $399 (aluminum) or $699 (titanium)


The Apple Watch Series 11 is minor improvement over the previous Series 10 model, offering 5G connectivity on cellular models, a slightly bigger battery, and stronger glass on aluminum models. Yet compared to the Apple Watch SE, the Apple Watch Series 11 is a considerably more feature-rich device with advanced capabilities.

With its larger display, additional health monitoring features, and range of colors and finishes, the Apple Watch Series 11 will be the model of choice for those who want more out of their smartwatch. If you feel that the added health monitoring features (such as ECG and blood oxygen monitoring) or more advanced display would be particularly useful to you, or simply like a specific casing and color combination that is not available with the Apple Watch SE, the Apple Watch Series 11 will be the best model for you.

If you are on a budget and are not particularly attracted to the additional features of the Series 11, the Apple Watch SE is a highly compelling option. It now features an always-on display, fast charging, and several new health features such as sleep apnea detection and body temperature sensing, and there are surprisingly few drawbacks. Both devices have the S10 chip and 64GB of storage, and are equally future-proof.

The biggest flaw of the Apple Watch SE 3 is its design, which is based on the Apple Watch Series 4 from 2018 and is now quite outdated. Nevertheless, as it shares many key features with the Apple Watch Series 11, many customers will be happy choosing the more inexpensive model, unless you particularly value features such as the larger display or advanced health monitoring and can justify the added cost.

The Apple Watch SE is an ideal device for kids and senior citizens who do not have an iPhone thanks to Family Setup, but it is also the go-to model for most customers... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: Apple Watch SE 3 vs. Series 11 Buyers Guide: 30+ Differences Compared
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-watch-se-3-vs-series-11/
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catracho504 said:
Go for a series 10 on sale, its better than invest in SE3
Click to expand...

No apple watch is an investment; they are throwaway (please recycle) devices that last a handful of years and the resale value is peanuts.

Pick one with the features you want and don't worry about the rest. I would probably pick the SE3 over the 10 just because it's smaller and cheaper. My previous 6 was at my limit for size.
 
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I've been without an Apple Watch for 2.5 years. My last one was an S3 I think. Picked up the SE3. It's really great value, but man, I forgot how ugly these things are. Apple needs to inject some design into these things.
 
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WarmWinterHat said:
No apple watch is an investment; they are throwaway (please recycle) devices that last a handful of years and the resale value is peanuts.

Pick one with the features you want and don't worry about the rest. I would probably pick the SE3 over the 10 just because it's smaller and cheaper. My previous 6 was at my limit for size.
Click to expand...
That’s why I would never go to anything other then aluminum version. It will be dead in couple of years anyway, so why spend more for a better metal, when it’s not a long lasting gadget.
 
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2 advantages :

- Titanium and Sapphire are essential for durability, but only if you buy the extra expensive one, that's a huge caveat.
- Precision Finding for ‌iPhone‌ is also good but I have used the S3 and SE2 to be informed of having misplaced my phone at a library and in a store, and I was always warned on time before someone else found it.

One misleading line:

- IP6X dust resistant is a misrepresentation, as the Apple Watch 7 and later offer the same (including the SE3).

All in all, there is strictly ZERO incentive to buy anything other than the SE3, if you're not going for a titanium, more durable watch. The only deciding factor would be to hold them close side to side and appreciate the bigger screen.

The difference in price isn't warranted when you realise how comparatively fragile the 11 is to the SE3.

AND most importantly: STARLIGHT AND MIDNIGHT ARE THE BEST COLORS THAT GO WITH ALMOST EVERYTHING.
 
WarmWinterHat said:
No apple watch is an investment; they are throwaway (please recycle) devices that last a handful of years and the resale value is peanuts.

Pick one with the features you want and don't worry about the rest. I would probably pick the SE3 over the 10 just because it's smaller and cheaper. My previous 6 was at my limit for size.
Click to expand...
I've had my S5 since it was released and it still works fine.
 
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bmark said:
I've had my S5 since it was released and it still works fine.
Click to expand...

My S6 wouldn't last a day after 2 years, and would die during runs in sub 30F temps if the battery was anything less than 50%. If you use the track GPS workouts daily, sometimes hour+ like I do, they don't last.

Battery was at 77% at month 23. I would think I had a dud but my brother, who bought his 6 on the same day, had almost identical battery health.
 
bmark said:
I use GPS workouts when I go to the gym. You must have got a lemon.
Click to expand...

I trail run, and no I didn't get a lemon; same happened with my 5 prior, and my 3 prior to that. I never used them to play music via BT, either.

Additionally, they looked like garbage by the time I got rid of them. I would climb with my 6, and my screen looked like Freddy Kruger had his way with it.

My point is, they are not an investment.
 
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WarmWinterHat said:
I trail run, and no I didn't get a lemon. Same happened with my 5 prior, and my 3 prior to that.

I never used them to play music via BT, either.
Click to expand...
Maybe I just got a limited edition model that still works fine! I've never played music via BT on my watch either.
 
bmark said:
Maybe I just got a limited edition model that still works fine! I've never played music via BT on my watch either.
Click to expand...

They worked fine, the battery was just toast.

I'm sure the Ultra line is much better, and they are obviously more durable, but waaay to big and bulky for my taste.
 
imamacperson said:
Wonder why Apple didn't put satellite connection in the series 11?
Did have room?
Click to expand...
At least they didn't take it away from the 10.

Atog said:
That’s why I would never go to anything other then aluminum version. It will be dead in couple of years anyway, so why spend more for a better metal, when it’s not a long lasting gadget.
Click to expand...
To be fair if my S3 hadn't shattered I'd still be using it and would have been very happy keeping it.
It's really a matter of risk/investment since the watches do break easily and Apple won't fix them. Give Apple as little money as you can, and that includes the warranty and Apple care which is too pricey to recommend. That's why they came up with a comprehensive scheme that included Watches : there was no justifying the warranty on an SE even at 35 dollars. 35 is the kind of discount that got me to buy the SE2 in the first place (it was a 50 discount).

bmark said:
AOD is overrated on the Apple Watch. I could do that on my S5 but it's not necessary.
Click to expand...
You'll get it anyway and you'll like it, we think.
catracho504 said:
Go for a series 10 on sale, its better than invest in SE3
Click to expand...
It was 30% off in France this week, they all flew off the shelves. But they were still more expensive than the SE3, substantially. Some 60 euros. Wait and see if there's stock on Black Friday.
WarmWinterHat said:
No apple watch is an investment; they are throwaway (please recycle) devices that last a handful of years and the resale value is peanuts.

Pick one with the features you want and don't worry about the rest. I would probably pick the SE3 over the 10 just because it's smaller and cheaper. My previous 6 was at my limit for size.
Click to expand...

It's an investment if you'd rather keep it for many years and you're not rich. On sale, the 10 is WELL worth the extra bells and whistles for 60 $/€ more than the SE3, though there will be a stopgap where the 10 won't be supported, whereas the SE3 will. I would argue (from looking frantically for an 8 or a 9 for months) that the ones that hold their value the most are the SEs and the numbered ones, absolutely not the stainless steel / titanium ones. If you care to resell your Watch, definitely go for the cheaper models.
 
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I’ve been without an AW for a couple of months now. I want to buy one because I felt it helped with exercising but I really can’t decide which one. I originally planned to get the sapphire one for durability. But that price tag stings a bit. My last was an SE2 so I think I’ll like the 11 (or 10) over the SE3.

I was planning on getting an iPhone and Apple Watch but I hate spending that much. And my 11 Pro is getting close to needing an upgrade.
 
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