The $250 Apple Watch SE 3 Is the Most Capable SE Ever

Alongside the new SE 3 and Series 11, Apple also released its next-gen Apple Watch Ultra 3. The Ultra remains Apple’s heftiest smartwatch (with the heftiest price, $800), but it may still be a great fit for adventurers with big wrists and a big budget. 

I spent a week wearing the watches—walking around, working, strength training, sleeping, and then apparently not sleeping nearly enough—to examine their look and feel, as well as the new features. (I also wanted to decide whether this was the year to upgrade my beloved, but now battery-challenged, Apple Watch SE second-generation.) 

Here are my first impressions, including why I think the Apple Watch SE 3 now makes the most sense for most people to buy.

All three new models—the Apple Watch SE 3, Series 11, and Ultra 3—are now available in stores. Prices start at $249, $399, and $799, respectively. 

Consumer Reports purchased the three watches at retail (just like you do) for our official in-lab testing, which covers metrics like battery life, scratch resistance, and the versatility of health features. CR members can see how all three models fared in our smartwatch and fitness tracker ratings.