Apple Watch SE 3 vs Apple Watch Series 11
The Apple Watch Series 11 is the better watch on paper: it lasts longer (24 hours), has a brighter screen and has a depth gauge. The Apple Watch SE 3 doesn't beat it on any spec that matters.
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Key differences
-
Battery life
Apple Watch Series 11 wins
The Apple Watch Series 11 lasts up to 24 hours against 18 hours.
-
GPS
Evenly matched
Both have built-in GPS with similar features.
-
Display
Evenly matched
Both have LTPO OLED screens of a similar size.
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
-
Weight
Apple Watch SE 3 wins
The Apple Watch SE 3 is lighter: 32.9 g against 37.8 g.
Other differences
- Depth gauge Apple Watch Series 11 wins
The Apple Watch Series 11 has a depth gauge for snorkelling and water sports.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple Watch SE 3 if…
- You want to wear it day and night: it weighs just 32.9 g.
- You prefer its look and app: it covers the same essentials as the Apple Watch Series 11.
Choose the Apple Watch Series 11 if…
- You hate charging: it's rated for up to 24 hours in smartwatch mode.
- You're outside a lot: its screen reaches 2,000 nits.
- You snorkel: it shows depth and water temperature.
Full spec comparison
The Apple Watch Series 11 leads on battery life; 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 Series 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Apple | Apple |
| Series | Apple Watch SE | Apple Watch Series |
| Released | — | 2025 |
| Replaces | Apple Watch SE 2 | — |
| Versions | 44mm, 40mm | 42mm Aluminum, 42mm Titanium, 46mm Titanium |
| Colours | Midnight, Starlight | Rose Gold, Silver, Space Gray, Jet Black |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch Series 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | watchOS | watchOS |
| Works with | iPhone only | iPhone only |
| Minimum iOS | iOS 27 | iOS 26 |
| Chipset | S10 | — |
| Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB |
Display
The Apple Watch Series 11 is ahead on the display.
It has a brighter screen, and the Apple Watch SE 3 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch Series 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | LTPO OLED | LTPO OLED |
| Display name | Always-On Retina display | Always‑On Retina display |
| Resolution | 368 x 448 | 416 x 496 |
| Pixel density | 326 ppi | 326 ppi |
| Peak brightness | 1,000 nits | 2,000 nits |
| Colour display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | crown, buttons | buttons, crown |
Design & durability
Both are similar in size, weight and water rating.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch Series 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 40 / 44 mm | 42 / 46 mm |
| Case shape | Rectangular | Rectangular |
| Dimensions | 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm | 46 x 39 x 9.7 mm |
| Thickness | 10.7 mm | 9.7 mm |
| Weight (case) | 32.9 g | 37.8 g |
| Case material | Aluminum | Aluminum case |
| Lens | Ion-X | Ion‑X front glass |
| Fits wrists | 140-245 mm | 140-245 mm |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| IP rating | — | IP6X |
| 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
The Apple Watch Series 11 is ahead on battery life.
It lasts longer (24 hours), and the Apple Watch SE 3 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch Series 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 18 hours | 24 hours |
| Battery (GPS) | 7 hours | — |
| All battery modes | Smartwatch: 18 hours; Battery saver: 32 hours; GPS: 7 hours | Smartwatch: 24 hours; Battery saver: 38 hours |
| Battery type | Li-ion | Li-ion |
| Charging | puck | puck |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Fast charging | Up to 80% charge in about 45 minutes | Up to 80% charge in about 30 minutes |
GPS & navigation
Both have built-in GPS with similar capabilities.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch Series 11 |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
| Multi-band GPS | — | No |
| Satellite systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou |
| Maps | Downloadable maps | Downloadable maps |
| Preloaded regions | U.S. national and regional parks | U.S. national and regional parks |
| Navigation features | back-to-start, waypoints | Custom waypoints, Backtrack, Offline maps with custom route creation |
Health & sensors
Both track much the same health data.
Heart rate, sleep and the extra sensors line up closely.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch Series 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, skin temperature, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light | optical HR, ECG electrode, SpO2, skin temperature, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, ambient light, depth, thermometer |
| Heart-rate sensor | Second-generation optical heart sensor | Third‑generation optical heart sensor |
| Heart-rate tracking | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| ECG | — | Yes |
| Irregular rhythm alerts | Yes | Yes |
| High/low heart-rate alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Heart-rate variability | — | Yes |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | — | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | Yes |
| Respiration rate | — | Yes |
| Hypertension alerts | — | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Sleep score | Sleep score |
| Sleep apnea alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Cycle tracking | Yes | Yes |
Safety
Both offer much the same safety features.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch Series 11 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Series 11 |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Both offer much the same smart features.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch Series 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Calls on the watch | Yes | 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 | 5G version available |
| Music storage | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 4 2.4 GHz | Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), 2.4/5 GHz |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Ultra-wideband | — | Yes |
Diving, golf & more
The Apple Watch Series 11 is ahead on specialist modes.
It has a depth gauge, and the Apple Watch SE 3 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch Series 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist modes | golf, ski | golf, ski |
| Diving | None | Depth gauge |
| Max dive depth | — | 6 m |