Apple Watch SE 3 vs Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
The Apple Watch SE 3 has the edge: it tracks sleep in more depth, has 5G and has more storage (64 GB).
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Key differences
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Battery life
Evenly matched
Similar battery life: up to 18 hours and 18 hours.
-
GPS
Evenly matched
Both have built-in GPS with similar features.
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Display
Evenly matched
Both have LTPO OLED screens of a similar size.
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Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
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Weight
Evenly matched
Similar weight: 32.9 g and 32.9 g.
Other differences
- Sleep Apple Watch SE 3 wins
The Apple Watch SE 3 goes further on sleep, with a nightly sleep score.
- 5G Apple Watch SE 3 wins
The Apple Watch SE 3's cellular version supports 5G, against LTE on the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen).
- Storage Apple Watch SE 3 wins
The Apple Watch SE 3 has 64 GB of storage against 32 GB, more room for music and maps.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple Watch SE 3 if…
- You want to sleep better: it scores each night and tells you what to change.
- You use the cellular version a lot: it supports 5G.
- You load music or maps onto the watch: it has 64 GB.
Choose the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) if…
- You prefer its look and app: it covers the same essentials as the Apple Watch SE 3.
Full spec comparison
The Apple Watch SE 3 leads on smart features; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Overview
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Apple | Apple |
| Series | Apple Watch SE | Apple Watch SE |
| Replaces | Apple Watch SE 2 | — |
| Versions | 44mm, 40mm | 44mm GPS + Cellular, 40mm GPS, 40mm GPS + Cellular |
| Colours | Midnight, Starlight | Midnight, Starlight, Silver |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | watchOS | watchOS |
| Works with | iPhone only | iPhone only |
| Minimum iOS | iOS 27 | iOS 18 |
| Chipset | S10 | S8 SiP |
| Storage | 64 GB | 32 GB |
Display
The screens are closely matched.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | LTPO OLED | LTPO OLED |
| Display name | Always-On Retina display | Retina LTPO OLED |
| Resolution | 368 x 448 | 368 x 448 |
| Pixel density | 326 ppi | 326 ppi |
| Peak brightness | 1,000 nits | 1,000 nits |
| Colour display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | Yes | — |
| Controls | crown, buttons | crown, buttons |
Design & durability
Both are similar in size, weight and water rating.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 40 / 44 mm | 40 / 44 mm |
| Case shape | Rectangular | — |
| Dimensions | 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm | 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm |
| Thickness | 10.7 mm | 10.7 mm |
| Weight (case) | 32.9 g | 32.9 g |
| Case material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Lens | Ion-X | Ion-X |
| Fits wrists | 140-245 mm | 140-245 mm |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Water standard | ISO 22810:2010 | ISO 22810:2010 |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 35 °C | 0 to 35 °C |
| Max altitude | 3,000 m | 3,000 m |
Battery
Battery life is close on both.
How you use the screen, GPS and notifications will matter more than the difference between them.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 18 hours | 18 hours |
| Battery (GPS) | 7 hours | — |
| All battery modes | Smartwatch: 18 hours; Battery saver: 32 hours; GPS: 7 hours | Smartwatch: 18 hours |
| Battery type | Li-ion | Li-ion |
| Charging | puck | puck |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Fast charging | Up to 80% charge in about 45 minutes | 0-80% in about 1.5 hours |
GPS & navigation
The Apple Watch SE 3 is ahead on GPS and navigation.
It uses more satellite systems, and the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
| Satellite systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou | GPS, Galileo, QZSS |
| Maps | Downloadable maps | Downloadable maps |
| Preloaded regions | U.S. national and regional parks | U.S. only |
| Navigation features | back-to-start, waypoints | waypoints, back-to-start |
Health & sensors
The Apple Watch SE 3 is ahead on health tracking.
It tracks sleep in more depth, and the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, skin temperature, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light | optical HR, compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light |
| Heart-rate sensor | Second-generation optical heart sensor | Second-generation optical heart sensor |
| Heart-rate tracking | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Irregular rhythm alerts | Yes | Yes |
| High/low heart-rate alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | — |
| Sleep tracking | Sleep score | Sleep stages |
| Sleep apnea alerts | Yes | — |
| Cycle tracking | Yes | — |
Safety
Both offer much the same safety features.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency SOS | From the watch (LTE) | From the watch (LTE) |
| Fall detection | Yes | Yes |
| Crash detection | Yes | Yes |
| Check-ins | Yes | — |
Training
Training features are evenly matched.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Triathlon / multisport | Yes | Yes |
| Swim tracking | Pool and open water | Pool and open water |
| Training metrics | VO2 max, training load | training load, heart rate zones, Functional Threshold Power, Power Zones |
| Running dynamics | Yes | Yes |
| Wrist running power | Yes | — |
| External sensors | power meter, speed/cadence | Bluetooth sensors |
Smart features
The Apple Watch SE 3 is ahead on smart features.
It has 5G and has more storage (64 GB), and the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Calls on the watch | Yes | — |
| Speaker | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Voice assistant | Siri | Siri |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Payment service | Apple Pay | Apple Pay |
| Cellular | 5G version available | LTE version available |
| Music storage | Yes | — |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 4 2.4 GHz | Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
Diving, golf & more
Neither has a specialist edge here.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist modes | golf, ski | golf, ski |
| Diving | None | None |