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Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch SE 3, Series 11, or Ultra 3? 45+ Differences Compared

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The new Apple Watch lineup is now available to pre-order. With more feature parity than ever before across the models, understanding the differences is more important ever before.

Buyers-Guide-Apple-Watch-SE-3-Series-11-or-Ultra-3-Feature.jpg

All three of the new Apple Watches feature the S10 chip, always-on displays, sleep score, and media playback, but there are still some significant differences between the two devices.

The Apple Watch SE 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. The Apple Watch Ultra focuses on withstanding extreme environments, a high level of durability, extended battery life, and additional features to aid activities like diving and exploration.

With as little as $50 between the 46mm titanium Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, some prospective customers will be weighing up whether it is worth spending a little extra to get the 49mm Ultra model. While there is a $400 difference between the GPS-only 42mm aluminum Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra, the high-end model offers a set of features to address specific challenges, so it may even be worth it for some of these buyers.

This guide outlines all of the differences between the Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 to help you decide which is best for you.

Sizes and Weights

Apple Watch SE 3Apple Watch Series 11Apple Watch Ultra 3
Height44mm (44mm case)
40mm (40mm case)
46mm (46mm case)
42mm (42mm case)
49mm
Width38mm (44mm case)
34mm (40mm case)
39mm (46mm case)
36mm (42mm case)
44mm
Depth10.7mm
9.7mm
12mm
Weight32.9g (GPS, 44mm)
33.0g (GPS + Cellular, 44mm)
26.3g (GPS, 40mm)
26.4g (GPS + Cellular, 40mm)
37.8g (aluminum, GPS, 46mm)
36.9g (aluminum, GPS + Cellular, 46mm)
43.1g (titanium, 46mm)
30.3g (aluminum, GPS, 42mm)
29.7g (aluminum, GPS + Cellular, 42mm)
34.6g (titanium, 42mm)
61.6g (natural titanium)
61.8g (black titanium)


Designs

Apple Watch SE 3Apple Watch Series 11Apple Watch Ultra 3
40mm or 44mm case size42mm or 46mm case size49mm case size
Anodized aluminum caseAnodized or polished aluminum and polished titanium casing optionsBlasted titanium case
Curved displayCurved display with refractive edgeFlat display
80% recycled steel in the speaker and Taptic Engine
Apple Watch Hermès edition availableApple Watch Hermès edition available
Available in Starlight and MidnightAluminum: Available in Rose Gold, Space Gray, and polished Jet BlackTitanium: Available in Natural, Gold, and Slate


Durability

Apple Watch SE 3Apple Watch Series 11Apple Watch Ultra 3
Design based on Apple Watch Series 4Design based on Apple Watch Series 10, including a thinner casing, more rounded edges, and a wider aspect ratioSame design as previous Apple Watch Ultra models
Front crystal curves at edges onto shaped casingFront crystal curves at edges onto shaped casingCorrosion resistant case with raised edges to protect the flat sapphire front crystal
Nylon composite and sapphire crystal backMetal and sapphire crystal backCeramic and sapphire crystal back
Water resistant up to 50mWater resistant up to 50mWater resistant up to 100m
EN13319 certification
Certified IP6X dust resistanceCertified IP6X dust resistance
Tested to MIL-STD 810H


Displays

Apple Watch SE 3Apple Watch Series 11Apple Watch Ultra 3
Up to 1,000 nits brightnessUp to 2,000 nits brightnessUp to 3,000 nits brightness
2 nits minimum brightness1 nit minimum brightness1 nit minimum brightness
OLEDWide-angle OLED (up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle)Wide-angle OLED (up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle)
LTPOLTPO3 for faster refresh rate in always-on modeLTPO3 for faster refresh rate in always-on mode


Health Features

Apple Watch SE 3Apple Watch Series 11Apple Watch Ultra 3
Second-generation optical heart sensorThird-generation optical heart sensorThird-generation optical heart sensor
Hypertension notificationsHypertension notifications
Electrical heart sensorElectrical heart sensor
ECG appECG app
Blood Oxygen appBlood Oxygen app


Battery Life and Charging
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Article Link: Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch SE 3, Series 11, or Ultra 3? 45+ Differences Compared
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/buyers-guide-apple-watch-se-3-series-11-ultra-3/
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I have AWU 2, the only differences I really see to the 3 is a bigger screen? Most if not all of the new health features are coming to my watch too so no need to upgrade. My battery still lasts well, no damage to my watch or anything.
 
The addition of Always on to the SE is a huge change. Can easily recommend the SE now. The whole lineup looks good. That being said, don't think there is anything for someone with Series 10 to upgrade to the 11.
 
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I wonder if it’s worth me getting a discounted series 10 considering I’ll probably only buy the WiFi only version. I think I read that the sleep score and hypertension estimation is just an iOS 26 feature.
 
Last edited:
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I currently own a Titanium Series 6 and am considering the Series 11. However, I am concerned about the sport model screen resistance (scratches, etc.). While I would prefer the titanium, I am not fond of the mirror effect. I wish they had offered the Series 6 matte titanium finish.
 
iZac said:
I wonder if it’s worth me getting a discounted series 10 considering I’ll probably only buy the WiFi only version. I think I read that the sleep score and hypertension estimation is just an iOS 26 feature
Click to expand...

Yeah, if you aren't getting cellular then go for a discounted S10. The battery improvement also seems OS related with the energy enhancements.
 
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iZac said:
I wonder if it’s worth me getting a discounted series 10 considering I’ll probably only buy the WiFi only version. I think I read that the sleep score and hypertension estimation is just an iOS 26 feature
Click to expand...
Considering there is not a significant price break on a new S10, a S10 v. S11 would have been a good comparison. Very surprised I got a better deal on a new S10 a month ago than what is being offered now.
 
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I see the list of features shows “Blood Oxygen App” for the Ultra 3. I have a first gen Ultra with Blood Oxygen App but have read that Apple had to remove it for Ultra 2. Is it now back on the Ultra 3 or is that a misprint?
 
Fatyank said:
I see the list of features shows “Blood Oxygen App” for the Ultra 3. I have a first gen Ultra with Blood Oxygen App but have read that Apple had to remove it for Ultra 2. Is it now back on the Ultra 3 or is that a misprint?
Click to expand...

It's back on all the 9, 10 and Ultra 2. You just have to view it on the phone. Sme with the new watches, in the US.

www.macrumors.com

Blood Oxygen Feature Finally Returning to Apple Watch in the US

Apple today announced that blood oxygen monitoring will return to Apple Watch models in the United States via a software update. Apple says that...
www.macrumors.com www.macrumors.com
 
I missed where Apple announced the Rose and Slate color options for the ultra 3. I won’t say it because I got in trouble last time.
 
iZac said:
I wonder if it’s worth me getting a discounted series 10 considering I’ll probably only buy the WiFi only version. I think I read that the sleep score and hypertension estimation is just an iOS 26 feature.
Click to expand...

Definitely the best option, IF you can find it discounted.

They were clearing them out the past month here in my city.
 
My dad was just looking at the SE 3 vs the Series 10/11 when I saw someone here point out that the price of the Certified Refurbished Series 10s have just dropped in price. Considering he was deciding between the 44 mm SE 3 and the 42 mm Series watches, there's only a $20 price difference between the two, so I think it's a lock on the Series 10 then.
 
nightcap965 said:
Except for 5G. And satellite SOS. And fast charging. And bigger, brighter screen. And longer battery life.

Absolutely worth it to me, but I freely admit your tastes, needs, values and mileage may vary.
Click to expand...
I'm teetering back and forth but leaning towards just holding onto my 2 after looking at Apple's comparison chart between the two. During the keynote I was pretty sure I was getting the 3 but some of the features are software and being back ported to the Ultra 2. I'm curious what advantage are you thinking you'll see with 5G over LTE on the watch? Better signal with the new antenna design might play a bigger role it seems to me rather than the 5G vs LTE. I mainly just stream music over cellular but it starts up pretty much immediately. Wonder if the battery life on cellular only is better.
 
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