The Apple Watch SE 3 and the Series 11 were both unveiled on September 9, 2025, and became available for order on the 19th of September. Both watches offer users impressive features, but they cater to different needs and budgets. The SE 3 is designed as an affordable entry point to the Apple Watch ecosystem, while the Series 11 boasts advanced features and a more premium design.

Design and Display

The Apple Watch Series 11 has a larger display with thinner bezels compared to the SE 3. The Series 11 is available in 42mm and 46mm case sizes, while the SE 3 comes in 40mm and 44mm. The Series 11 also sports a brighter display, reaching up to 2,000 nits of brightness, whereas the SE 3 has a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits. The Series 11 offers more premium materials like titanium, in addition to aluminum, while the SE 3 is only available in aluminum. The Series 11 is also thinner than the SE 3. The SE 3 retains the design of the older Apple Watch Series 4, 5, and 6 models, which may appear outdated to some.

A key upgrade for the SE 3 is the inclusion of an Always-On Retina display, a feature previously absent from the SE line. This allows users to glance at the time and notifications without raising their wrist. The Series 11 also features an Always-On Retina display. The aluminum models of the Series 11 boast Ion-X glass with twice the scratch resistance compared to previous aluminum models. The titanium Series 11 uses a sapphire crystal display. The SE 3 also has a more durable cover glass.

Performance and Features

Both the Apple Watch SE 3 and Series 11 are powered by the S10 chip, offering comparable performance for daily tasks. The S10 chip enables features like the double tap and wrist flick gestures on both models. Both watches run on watchOS 26, which introduces a redesigned interface with Liquid Glass, new watch faces, and the Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence. Both watches have 64GB of storage.

The Series 11 supports Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology for enhanced location services. Cellular models of both watches support 5G connectivity. The Series 11 has a slightly longer battery life, offering up to 24 hours of normal use compared to the SE 3's 18 hours. Both support fast charging.

Health and Fitness

The Apple Watch Series 11 has more advanced health features compared to the SE 3. The Series 11 includes an electrical heart sensor for ECG readings and a blood oxygen sensor, which are not available on the SE 3. A significant addition to the Series 11 is FDA-cleared hypertension notifications, which can alert users to potential high blood pressure. The SE 3 does offer valuable health features such as sleep score, retrospective ovulation estimates, sleep apnea notifications, and wrist temperature sensing. Both watches have fall detection, crash detection, Emergency SOS, and the ability to track various workouts.

Pricing and Value

The Apple Watch SE 3 is the more affordable option, starting at $249 for the 40mm GPS model. The 44mm model is priced at $279. The Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $399. The SE 3 offers excellent value for users who want essential Apple Watch features at a lower price. The Series 11 is better for users who want advanced health monitoring and a more premium design.

Which to Buy?

Choose the Apple Watch SE 3 if:

• You are on a budget.
• You want essential smartwatch features like notifications, fitness tracking, and an always-on display.
• You don't need advanced health features like ECG and blood oxygen monitoring.

Choose the Apple Watch Series 11 if:

• You want advanced health monitoring features like ECG and blood oxygen monitoring.
• You want a larger, brighter display and a thinner design.
• You prefer premium materials like titanium and a wider range of colors.
• You want the latest features like hypertension notifications.