SE 3 comparison

[Richard8655]

In comparing the SE 3 with SE 2, I don't see a huge difference. Chip upgrade, storage capacity increase, and more crack resistant display looks about it. I think I'll hold onto my current SE 2's as I don't think the difference would be noticeable much. Wondering if any other thoughts.

 

[chrfr]

The SE is not a product where Apple expects buyers will replace every time the watch gets updated. It's no surprise that the upgrade from the 2 to 3 would be relatively incremental.

 

[Richard8655]

I think there are Apple enthusiasts who buy every new version of everything no matter how minimal the change.

 

[QCassidy352]

Always on display, which is the single biggest upgrade AW ever got…

Also fast charge, the gestures that come with the newer chip, 5G, nighttime temperature tracking, media playback through speaker…

Pretty big upgrade IMO. Honestly the AOD alone makes it worth it

 

[Richard8655]

Always on display, which is the single biggest upgrade AW ever got…

Also fast charge, the gestures that come with the newer chip, 5G, nighttime temperature tracking, media playback through speaker…

Pretty big upgrade IMO. Honestly the AOD alone makes it worth it

I never understood the appeal of AOD. Reduced battery life would be my concern. And a flick of the wrist turns it on easily when needed.

 

[eclipse01]

I never understood the appeal of AOD. Reduced battery life would be my concern. And a flick of the wrist turns it on easily when needed.

I think its mostly for "Aesthetics", I personally think that a screen that displays (at the very least) the current time looks a hell of a lot better than wearing a blank/black screen on your wrist. Now AOD on your phone....that is a different story😏

 

[MacCheetah3]

In comparing the SE 3 with SE 2, I don't see a huge difference. Chip upgrade, storage capacity increase, and more crack resistant display looks about it.

Using the comparison chart...

2nd to 3rd generation adds:
• Always-on display
• Sleep apnea notifications
• Body (i.e., wrist) temperature sensing
• 5G cellular
• New gestures (double tap and wrist flick)
• On-device Siri with health data access
• Media playback through speaker
• Fast charge
• More capacity (2x)
• Voice isolation (Mic improvement? / improved processing)
• Greater display durability (4x more crack-resistant Ion-X glass using new coating)

1st to 2nd generation:
• Vitals app
• Sleep score
• Low power mode
• Crash detection
• Lighter weight (~3 grams)
• Always-on altimeter
• Expanded GPS support (adds Galileo and QZSS)
• Offline maps

I think I'll hold onto my current SE 2's as I don't think the difference would be noticeable much. Wondering if any other thoughts.

I get that. I’m upgrading from the first to third generation but the following will probably be useless — at best, rarely beneficial -- to me:
• 5G cellular
• AOD
• Media playback
• More capacity
• On-device Siri
• Voice isolation
• Body temp
• Crash detection (hopefully)

I think its mostly for "Aesthetics", I personally think that a screen that displays (at the very least) the current time looks a hell of a lot better than wearing a blank/black screen on your wrist. Now AOD on your phone....that is a different story😏

That could be a more substantial aspect than presumed. I’ve only read about a few fitness examples, such as routinely monitoring vitals when on a stationary bike. I won’t go as far as to say niche, although, I would say it’s a low number of realistically beneficial scenarios.

 

[Richard8655]

Using the comparison chart...

2nd to 3rd generation adds:
• Always-on display
• Sleep apnea notifications
• Body (i.e., wrist) temperature sensing
• 5G cellular
• New gestures (double tap and wrist flick)
• On-device Siri with health data access
• Media playback through speaker
• Fast charge
• More capacity (2x)
• Voice isolation (Mic improvement? / improved processing)
• Greater display durability (4x more crack-resistant Ion-X glass using new coating)

1st to 2nd generation:
• Vitals app
• Sleep score
• Low power mode
• Crash detection
• Lighter weight (~3 grams)
• Always-on altimeter
• Expanded GPS support (adds Galileo and QZSS)
• Offline maps


I get that. I’m upgrading from the first to third generation but the following will probably be useless — at best, rarely beneficial -- to me:
• 5G cellular
• AOD
• Media playback
• More capacity
• On-device Siri
• Voice isolation
• Body temp
• Crash detection (hopefully)


That could be a more substantial aspect than presumed. I’ve only read about a few fitness examples, such as routinely monitoring vitals when on a stationary bike. I won’t go as far as to say niche, although, I would say it’s a low number of realistically beneficial scenarios.

Yes, I think 1st to 3rd is a significant upgrade and well worth it. S5 to S10 processor among many benefits.

As far as 2nd to 3rd (my case), not much value to me. I do see Apple lists new gestures (double tap and wrist flick), but I already have those gestures on my 2nd. Fast charge also not appealing with questionable effect on longterm battery health (as I've read). Plus I'm not in that much of a hurry. The better display durability is a big plus, though.

But for you a big improvement, I think.

 

[azhava]

I never understood the appeal of AOD. Reduced battery life would be my concern. And a flick of the wrist turns it on easily when needed.

Newer Apple Watches with AOD have the same battery life (or now, even better) as the older ones which didn't have it. I prefer the AOD because I'm not always able to 'flick' my wrist enough to turn it on due to whatever position/angle I might be in, hands full, etc., but I can roll my wrist or crane my neck far enough to see the AOD.

I hate AOD on my iPhone and have it disabled, but I wouldn't want to be without it on the watch.

 

[MmichaeelphH]

In comparing the SE 3 with SE 2, I don't see a huge difference. Chip upgrade, storage capacity increase, and more crack resistant display looks about it. I think I'll hold onto my current SE 2's as I don't think the difference would be noticeable much. Wondering if any other thoughts.

You’re right, the SE 3’s changes are pretty minimal, just the newer chip, extra storage, and stronger display. SE 2 is still fast enough that most people won’t notice a difference.

 

[jz0309]

I never understood the appeal of AOD. Reduced battery life would be my concern. And a flick of the wrist turns it on easily when needed.

for me, having to move my arm to wake up the watch face was a pita, didn't work all the time and I would never get a watch without AOD. I often glance at the time without having to move my arm. And impact on battery life is negligible.
To each their own.