Deals: Apple Watch Series 3 Available for $179 on Amazon

[MacRumors]

Amazon has the 38mm Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) for $179.00 today, down from $199.00. This device is available in the Silver Aluminum Case option with a White Sport Band, as well as the Space Gray Aluminum Case with a Black Sport Band.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

There is also a discount on the 42mm Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS), available for $209.00, down from $229.00. Despite being a few years old, Apple keeps the Apple Watch Series 3 as its entry-level option into the Apple Watch family, and it was originally priced starting at $329.00.

Apple Watch Series 3 for $179.00 ($20 OFF)​

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

Article Link: Deals: Apple Watch Series 3 Available for $179 on Amazon

 

[4jasontv]

This really sums up what Amazon has available. I have a lot of equipment needing replacement and Amazon has none of it in stock. Still, not bad if if you want an old model.

 

[TETENAL]

I would be interested in such an older Apple Watch.

However, my iPhone only supports iOS 12. Why does Apple require the purchase of a new iPhone with iOS 13 for use with an older Apple Watch, even though that watch at some point was compatible with iOS 12? I have a Mac with Catalina. Why can't that setup the watch? I'm not interested in another iPhone. It's nuts.

 

[DaveN]

I would be interested in such an older Apple Watch.

However, my iPhone only supports iOS 12. Why does Apple require the purchase of a new iPhone with iOS 13 for use with an older Apple Watch, even though that watch at some point was compatible with iOS 12? I have a Mac with Catalina. Why can't that setup the watch? I'm not interested in another iPhone. It's nuts.

Where did you hear that? I have a Series 3 I bought years ago and probably used it with iOS 12 at some point. Still should be compatible.

 

[TETENAL]

Where did you hear that? I have a Series 3 I bought years ago and probably used it with iOS 12 at some point. Still should be compatible.

If you bought it a year ago when there was no iOS 13, then yes, the watch is compatible. If you buy it now, then it requires iOS 13. Check the system requirements on Apple's web page.

 

[nvmls]

If you bought it a year ago when there was no iOS 13, then yes, the watch is compatible. If you buy it now, then it requires iOS 13. Check the system requirements on Apple's web page.

But but the "ecosystem"... 😂

 

[imnotthewalrus]

I’d bite but with the WWDC 3 weeks away, I’m curious if all new watchOS features would work well with with what will be 3 generations old watch.

 

[ilikewhey]

you can find series 4 gently used with ac left on it for 210 bucks.

 

[hagjohn]

I would recommend the people get the series 5 ( or 4, if you can find it), for the health monitoring. Yes, I know you are probably healthy (foreseeing the responses coming) now but that can change within hours and it is just a little bit of extra security that you can get any health issue looked at early.

 

[44267547]

I would recommend the people get the series 5 ( or 4, if you can find it), for the health monitoring. Yes, I know you are probably healthy (foreseeing the responses coming) now but that can change within hours and it is just a little bit of extra security that you can get any health issue looked at early.

The Series 4 is still available for purchase, just not direct through Apple ‘factory new’. I probably would recommend the Series 4 over the Series 3, simply because the Series 3 is approaching watchOS 7, and it’s difficult to say how it will perform.

Plus, the Series 4 is redesign with the larger display.

 

[RickDEGH]

That price is still too damn high for a 3-year old device that is nearly obsolete.

 

[DaveN]

If you bought it a year ago when there was no iOS 13, then yes, the watch is compatible. If you buy it now, then it requires iOS 13. Check the system requirements on Apple's web page.

You are right. I bought mine in January 2018. From the requirements on the buy page...

Apple Watch Series 3 requires an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 13 or later. Wireless service plan required for cellular service. Apple Watch and iPhone service provider must be the same. Not all service providers support enterprise accounts; check with your employer and service provider. Roaming is not available outside your carrier network coverage area. Contact your service provider for more details.

 

[cwwilson]

The 3 is still a decent watch. I bought my 42mm one from Amazon around Black Friday last year for $199 and was surprised how snappy it was (a huge improvement on the Series 0 it replaced). I only recently bought a Series 5 and the speed feels about the same if you ask me. The 5 will give you a lot more storage and access to the newer watch faces but if you don’t care about all that the 3 can easily hold you over for a bit.

 

[FightTheFuture]

I would be interested in such an older Apple Watch.

However, my iPhone only supports iOS 12. Why does Apple require the purchase of a new iPhone with iOS 13 for use with an older Apple Watch, even though that watch at some point was compatible with iOS 12? I have a Mac with Catalina. Why can't that setup the watch? I'm not interested in another iPhone. It's nuts.

Are you using an iPhone 6? That’s actually pretty cool how well it’s holding up.

This does make me wonder if there’s a market for keeping a prior version of watchOS installed when upgrading. You know, keep the watch around a few years so folks with older phones can still use Apple Watch.

 

[josecuervo888]

Better go for Series 4!

 

[Massy1989]

I just can’t recommend anyone buy this when the much faster series 5 wa $299 on Amazon two days ago. The series 4 and 5 app load times are so much faster than series 3 — makes a huge difference. I couldn’t really tell a major difference between my Series 0 and Series 3 from a performance standpoint other than maybe display performance. It was still very slow to load apps.

Go Series 4 or 5!

 

[Expos of 1969]

I would be interested in such an older Apple Watch.
However, my iPhone only supports iOS 12. Why does Apple require the purchase of a new iPhone with iOS 13 for use with an older Apple Watch, even though that watch at some point was compatible with iOS 12? I have a Mac with Catalina. Why can't that setup the watch? I'm not interested in another iPhone. It's nuts.

Money, cash, euros, dollars, pounds from your bank account is the response to your question.

 

[jicon]

I would recommend the people get the series 5 ( or 4, if you can find it), for the health monitoring. Yes, I know you are probably healthy (foreseeing the responses coming) now but that can change within hours and it is just a little bit of extra security that you can get any health issue looked at early.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the only thing the 4 or 5 does differently is detect heart afib. Your unexpected high heart rates are still notified on the series 3. Heart afib could affect 10% of the population, and those over 60 have an increased stroke risk, but that's a specific issue, not a general health sign.

Still, for future proof purchases it might be a better buy to go for the model just a year or two old. Come three months from now, the series 3 may not be available for sale anymore- though it is still a good device.

 

[Jxdawg]

I just can’t recommend anyone buy this when the much faster series 5 wa $299 on Amazon two days ago. The series 4 and 5 app load times are so much faster than series 3 — makes a huge difference. I couldn’t really tell a major difference between my Series 0 and Series 3 from a performance standpoint other than maybe display performance. It was still very slow to load apps.

Go Series 4 or 5!

I wouldn’t argue that people should go for a 4 or 5 to get more bang for their buck...but saying that the series 3 had nominal performance boost over the series 0 is ridiculous. I went from the series 1 to the 3 and it was night and day.

If someone wants to ”test the waters” of AW with the series 3, $179 is a fantastic deal. Only one generation of processor behind the 4 and 5 and likely to get 1-2 more OS updates makes this a solid entry level device or daily steps/health/sports monitor. Nothing wrong with bare bones!

 

[Rocko99991]

Slug Ish.

 

[macizcool]

I would be interested in such an older Apple Watch.

However, my iPhone only supports iOS 12. Why does Apple require the purchase of a new iPhone with iOS 13 for use with an older Apple Watch, even though that watch at some point was compatible with iOS 12? I have a Mac with Catalina. Why can't that setup the watch? I'm not interested in another iPhone. It's nuts.

I believe that Apple allows you to send the Watch to their repair center and have the OS downgraded for iPhone 5s/6 users.

 

[TETENAL]

Are you using an iPhone 6? That’s actually pretty cool how well it’s holding up.

I'm using an iPhone 5s. I have zero interest in upgrading (and upsizing) the phone. I just don't need it.

I have some interest in an Apple Watch, but not if I have to buy a phone just to set it up. That's stupid. So for now I continue using my TomTom Runner.

 

[ryanasimov]

I wouldn't buy a piece tech that will be shortly dropped from OS updates.