Apple Watch SE 3: What we all know

From its inception, one of many largest drawbacks of the Apple Watch has been value. Many individuals cannot justify the value of the most affordable flagship model, by no means thoughts upgrading to chrome steel or shopping for an Ultra. Since 2020, the SE line has been Apple’s reply to that dilemma, providing a core Watch expertise with comparatively few sacrifices.

A second-generation SE shipped in September 2022, so Apple could also be about due for a brand new one. What options can we anticipate from the SE 3? When is it prone to ship? And most significantly, will it keep fairly priced?

Apple Watch SE 3 rumors

The most recent claims, and what we are able to anticipate normally

Only a few rumors have emerged to this point. In 2023, Omdia analyst David Hsieh claimed that the SE 3 will mirror the dimensions choices of the Apple Watch Series 8, which had 41 and 45mm variants. That will make the SE 3 barely larger than the SE 2, which is proscribed to 40 and 44mm choices — however do not consider it as generosity on Apple’s half. The Series 10 is poised to improve to 45 and 49mm, so Apple might be simply repurposing outdated tech and shifting the goalposts.

The one different improve is prone to be a more recent, quicker processor, presumably an “S10” that may even make its method into the Sequence 10 and Ultra 3. That ought to enable the SE 3 to course of some Siri instructions on-device, and is also setting the stage for Apple Intelligence, which has but to be introduced for Apple Watches. If Apple Intelligence does come, anticipate a subset of the options out there on iPhones, given the restricted house and energy wearables supply.

In July 2024, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reported that Apple could also be swapping out an aluminum shell on the SE 3 for plastic. In that case that may convey the price of the gadget beneath $249, luring consumers away from rival merchandise just like the Fitbit Versa. Apple has notoriously resisted plastic, nevertheless — the one iPhone to make use of a plastic shell was 2013’s iPhone 5c. The corporate sometimes prefers steel and glass to protect its “premium” picture. In August 2024, Gurman defined that Apple could also be attempting to make the SE more kid-friendly.

What ought to we not anticipate with the Apple Watch SE 3?

It in all probability will not undertake an always-on show (AOD). For years now that is been one of many major promoting factors for Sequence and Extremely fashions, and it could require costlier display expertise, probably backed by a bigger battery. Even utilizing low refresh charges, AOD panels eat further energy.

Likewise, do not anticipate any new well being sensors. These are one other method Apple retains its lineups separate and costs in examine. On high of that, it is not allowed to supply blood oxygen (a.ok.a. SpO2) sensing on any US gadget in the intervening time, owing to a lawsuit by the medical tech firm Masimo.

All of this assumes the established order will proceed, thoughts. It is potential that Apple will attain a settlement with Masimo within the close to future, or that manufacturing prices may have dropped low sufficient to make an always-on show trivial.

When will the Apple Watch SE 3 be launched?

We’re predicting September 2024. The SE 2 launched two years after the unique, and a 2024 launch would preserve the identical cycle. Apple additionally must hold the SE present if it desires individuals to purchase new merchandise as an alternative of looking down refurbished Watches from shops like Amazon and Greatest Purchase. A extra particular launch date is tough, however an announcement ought to come alongside Apple’s typical mid-September iPhone occasion, adopted by supply later that month or in early October.

A launch might conceivably occur exterior of that window, however we doubt it. The one Watch to premiere exterior of September or October was the Sequence 0, again in April 2015.

How a lot will the Apple Watch SE 3 value?

It should not go any larger than the SE 2’s $249. If the brand new mannequin makes use of a plastic shell, it might promote for $199, however in all probability no decrease than that — it could be simply $20 greater than a pair of AirPods.

Ought to I purchase the Apple Watch SE 3?

Should you’re after a brand new watch, it’s best to strongly think about it in case you’re an iPhone proprietor with an older SE or no smartwatch in any respect. Keep in mind that Sequence- and Extremely-level options like AOD tech, a steel shell, extra well being sensors, and a big display could also be good to have, however are normally non-essential.

Let’s emphasize “normally,” although. Should you’re an athlete or in any other case severe about health, issues like sturdiness, show tech, and sensors are going to matter a fantastic deal. Even for sofa potatoes, one thing like AOD can typically be important — the very last thing a enterprise supervisor desires is to be caught elevating their wrist throughout an extended assembly. Should you want multi-day battery life, in the meantime, you ought to be saving up for an Extremely 3 or contemplating one other watch model, comparable to Garmin.

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