Apple Watch SE 3 vs SE 2: What’s New and Which to Buy

Apple earlier this month introduced the new Apple Watch SE 3, its latest entry-level smartwatch that packs several notable upgrades over 2022’s Apple Watch SE 2. Here’s a closer look at what’s changed — and whether it’s worth upgrading.

Processing Power & Operating System

• SE 3: Runs on Apple’s new S10 chip with a 64-bit dual-core processor, 4-core Neural Engine, and 64GB storage. Ships with watchOS 26 out of the box.
• SE 2: Powered by the older S8 SiP chip with a dual-core processor and 32GB storage. Launched with watchOS 9, upgradable to watchOS 26.

Gesture Control

• SE 3: Supports double-tap, new wrist flick gestures, and on-device Siri.
• SE 2: No double-tap or wrist flick. Siri requests require an internet connection.

Display & Brightness

• SE 3: For the first time, the SE gains an Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display. Same 44mm and 40mm case sizes, with higher crack resistance (4x stronger Ion-X front glass). 1000 nits peak brightness, 2 nits minimum for dark environments.
• SE 2: Retina LTPO OLED display, but no Always-On feature. Same brightness rating, older glass tech.

Battery Life

• SE 3: Up to 18 hours of daily use, or 32 hours in Low Power Mode. Fast charging delivers 80% in about 45 minutes; 15 minutes of charging time gives up to 8 hours of normal use.
• SE 2: Up to 18 hours daily use, ~30 hours in Low Power Mode. No fast charging support.

Health Features

• SE 3: Adds sleep score, sleep apnea notifications, wrist temperature sensing, retrospective ovulation estimates, and support for Apple’s new Vitals app, on top of all of the SE 2’s features.
• SE 2: Heart rate monitoring, sleep stages, Cycle Tracking, and safety features like Fall Detection and Crash Detection — but no temperature sensing, sleep score, or apnea detection.

Both models include:

• Emergency SOS and international emergency calling
• Crash Detection and Fall Detection
• Noise monitoring
• Cycle Tracking app

Connectivity & Sensors

• SE 3: 5G (though no 5G in Canada — yet), LTE/4G, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS/GNSS/Galileo/QZSS, second-gen compass, altimeter.
• SE 2: LTE/4G only, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3, same GPS and compass sensors.

Durability & Environmental Impact

• SE 3: Water resistant up to 50m, swim-proof. Made with 40% recycled content — including 100% recycled aluminum case, cobalt, rare earth metals, and even recycled glass in the display. Fully fiber-based packaging.
• SE 2: Water resistant up to 50m. Used recycled aluminum and rare earth metals, but fewer recycled materials overall.

Price

• SE 3: Starts at $329 for GPS-only, $399 for GPS + Cellular. That’s the same as what its predecessor launched at.
• SE 2: Discontinued by Apple — but you can still find it at third-party retailers, and often for a deal.

Bottom Line

Apple Watch SE 3 is the biggest leap the SE lineup has seen to date. An Always-On display, new health features like sleep apnea detection and temperature sensing, faster performance thanks to the S10 chip, and support for double-tap gestures make it feel far less “entry-level” than before.

If you already own an SE 2, the upgrade isn’t essential unless you want the Always-On screen or expanded health tracking. But for first-time Apple Watch buyers or those on an original SE, the SE 3 is the clear pick — it delivers more value than ever at the same $329 starting price.

You can order the Apple Watch SE 3 today. If you’re looking for more features on your wrist or simply want true all-day battery life, the new Apple Watch Series 11 might be more your pace.