Is it? I'm thinking about getting my first Apple Watch soon. Is it bad? Is it slow? How's the experience? What are the cons?
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Is series 3 worth it in 2022?
- Thread starter iHorseHead
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I would say no. There are so many great deals of good/mint AW Series 4, 5, 6 on eBay or Swappa...or even a SE. Any of these are so much better than the Series 3 at only a small cost difference.
I think that the only reason to purchase a Series 3 at this point would be if you are very price sensitive and not able to afford either the SE or Series 7, or if you simply want to dip your toes into the Apple Watch experience for absolutely minimal expense.
There are so many improvements and enhancements made since Series 3 that you might very quickly become dissatisfied with a watch that does not offer them. But on the other hand, the Series 3 will give you the basic experience, after all it is the third generation and not the first.
Best value is probably the SE, for just a bit more. Have you considered that?
There are so many improvements and enhancements made since Series 3 that you might very quickly become dissatisfied with a watch that does not offer them. But on the other hand, the Series 3 will give you the basic experience, after all it is the third generation and not the first.
Best value is probably the SE, for just a bit more. Have you considered that?
I have a Series 3 and it is very slow when doing updates, seems to take forever. My guess is that WatchOS 8 will be the last that it will be able to utilize, and that when WatchOS 9 comes along that the Series 3 will be permanently retired by Apple, no more updates.
I really would not do it. This story alone would be enough to persuade me. With the 4 you got much more screen real estate.
That's old news and Apple quickly moved to resolve that particular issue. I certainly have never had to re-pair my Series 3 in order to do an update!
If you have a cellular model (i.e. the one with more storage) you wouldn't have faced that issue.
Ah, thank you for that info! Actually, yes, I do -- my Series 3 is the Space Black Stainless Steel. So that explains why I didn't have the issue. As it happens, I didn't get around to doing the update that caused the issue to develop and by the time I was ready to do anything, Apple had already put out another update -- hence my impression that I had just been lucky enough to dodge a bullet and that the issue had been resolved.
The Apple Watch series 3 should have been discontinued years ago in my opinion. Apple has been keeping it in the lineup just for having a lower cost entry level device. However, it is obsolete in every single area.
The Series 5 still in stock somewhere is probably your best choice (has many of the newer features, including always on display), or an SE if you can't find one.
The Series 5 still in stock somewhere is probably your best choice (has many of the newer features, including always on display), or an SE if you can't find one.
I can't find series 5. All I can find in my country is Series 3, Series 6, Series 7, Watch SE.
I have a Series 3 that I use primarily for sleep tracking and it struggles to even load the built in Home app for example.
I think you should consider an Apple Watch SE then ? or a series 6 if you want / are able to afford the extra cost for ECG (FDA approved), blood oxygen saturation (not FDA approved), always on display, slightly faster processor and somewhat faster charging. Series 7 is not worth it to be honest, you should be able to find a series 6 for less money and basically the same features.
Just my opinion ?
I would pop the extra $50 for an SE. Internals from an S5 and bigger screen. Doesn't have always on display, but neither does the S3. This will get updates for a couple of more years compared to the S3.
Is it old news? I gave up updating my series 3 for that very reason.
I had to wipe, update and repair my husband's S3 a couple of times this past fall to install OS updates. it took 2-3 hours each time with frequent attention. Unless you bought the cellular model with more storage, the updates just do not fit.
I cannot recommend anyone get the S3. It is embarrassing and makes the Apple Watch look bad.
I checked and Series 7 is $100 more expensive in my country (than Series 6)
So I should still get series 6?
I wear a S3 every day and I would not buy it again today. Don't get me wrong, it's completely fine for what I need and want - but if I wanted a new watch today I'd spring for an SE or a used 4, 5, 6, etc.
The S3 is fine! But I wouldn't spend money on it in 2022.
The S3 is fine! But I wouldn't spend money on it in 2022.
The series 7 introduced a slightly larger screen. It would not be worthwhile if you already had a series 5 or 6 to upgrade. I just updated from a series 4 to a 7 a couple of weeks ago and it is a nice update though not earth shattering. it might be worth it if you're buying new. Depends on whether the extra $100 is a concern or not. Functionally the 6 and 7 are nearly the same. You'll need to decide, yourself.
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