Apple(US:AAPL) CNETยท2025-10-06 12:01Value Proposition - The Apple Watch SE3 offers significant value, providing many of the same features as higher-end models at almost half the price of the cheapest Series 11 [3][4] - It's suitable for first-time Apple Watch buyers, children, or those upgrading from older models like Series 4 or 5 [4] Key Features & Performance - The SE3 features the same processor as the Series 11 and Ultra 3, enabling an always-on display [3][5] - Despite the always-on display, it maintains an 18-hour battery life, with testing showing it can outperform this claim by at least 4 hours, reaching 22-25 hours [6][7] - Charging is faster, with 8 minutes on the charger providing enough power for 8 hours of sleep tracking, and a full charge taking approximately 75 minutes [8] Health & Fitness - Includes new health tools like sleep score and sleep apnea notifications, as well as a temperature sensor for early illness detection and retrospective ovulation tracking [9] - Lacks blood oxygen tracking, ECG, and hypertension notifications found in higher-end models [9] - Offers every workout imaginable, including Apple's new Workout Buddy feature [10][11] Design & Connectivity - Design is similar to previous models, with thicker bezels and a slightly smaller screen compared to the Series 11 [12] - Features gesture control, including pinch motion for navigation and wrist flick to silence alarms [14] - Includes 5G connectivity, which is beneficial for users planning to use the watch without a phone, especially for children [15][16] Potential Drawbacks - The SE3's screen is more prone to scratches compared to the Series 11's scratch-resistant glass [13] - Using 5G connectivity without a paired phone can reduce battery life by approximately 2 hours [16][17]