Apple Watch Series 11 vs SE 3: Which should you go for?

Apple announced three new Apple Watch iterations at its annual event, including the budget-friendly Watch SE 3 and the mid-range Series 11.

So, is the Apple Watch SE 3 perfectly sufficient for your smartwatch needs? Or should you spend a bit more on the Apple Watch Series 11 instead?

To help you decide, we explain the key differences alongside any noteworthy similarities between the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE 3 below. Otherwise, visit our Apple Watch Series 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3 comparison to see if any of the 2025 models have a chance at making it into our best smartwatches guide.

Specs table

Price and Availability

Both the Apple Watch Series 11 and Watch SE 3 are available to pre-order now, ready for their official launch on September 19. 

The Apple Watch Series 11 has a starting RRP £369/$399 for the 42mm, GPS-only model, which rises up to £469/$499 for the 42mm, GPS and Cellular model.

On the other hand, the Apple Watch SE 3 is a much more budget-friendly option, with a starting price of just £219/$249 for the 40mm GPS-only model. If you’d prefer the GPS and Cellular model, then this starts from £289/$299.

Apple Watch Series 11 provides hypertension notifications

Alongside the newly launched Apple Watch Ultra 3, the Apple Watch Series 11 will include new hypertension notifications, which should alert users if signs of chronic high blood pressure are detected. Once a user is notified, they are then urged to log their blood pressure for at least seven days and to then share their results with a doctor.

Apple says FDA clearance for hypertension notifications is expected soon, and will be available in over 150 countries and regions by the end of September. 

While older Apple Watches, including the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 10, will provide the notifications, this is a feature that’s missing from the Apple Watch SE 3. 

Apple Watch Series 11 promises more battery life

Battery life has always been something that lets the entire Apple Watch series down, especially when compared to the likes of Garmin alternatives which offer days and even weeks of power on a single charge. 

While it doesn’t quite offer multiple days, the Apple Watch Series 11 does promise up to 24-hours of battery life or up to 38-hours in Low Power Mode. In comparison, the Apple Watch SE 3 promises up to 18-hours of battery life, which is the same as the Apple Watch Series 10. 

Both the Apple Watch Series 11 and SE 3 are fast-charge capable too, with the former promising to reach 80% charge in about 30 minutes, while the latter claims it’ll take about 45 minutes. Both, however, claim that a quick 15 minutes charge should offer up to eight hours of battery life.

Both run on the S10 chip

It’s worth noting that the entire 2025 Apple Watch line-up, including the premium Apple Watch Ultra 3, run on the same S10 chip found in last year’s Apple Watch Series 10. Although this means you shouldn’t expect too much of a performance boost with the Apple Watch Series 11, it’s a huge upgrade with the Apple Watch SE 3, whose predecessor ran on the S8 chip.

Thanks to the S10 chip, the Apple Watch SE 3 now sports the same always-on display, double tap and wrist flick gestures and faster Siri access as its more expensive counterparts. Essentially this means if you’re upgrading from the Apple Watch SE 2 to the SE 3, then you’re likely to see more of a difference. 

Apple Watch Series 11 has an ECG and Blood Oxygen app

While both the Series 11 and SE 3 offer health, fitness and wellness tools such as the vitals app including heart and respiratory rate, high and low heart rate notifications and Sleep Score, the Series 11 does benefit from a few additional features.

Firstly there’s the inclusion of the ECG app which checks for signs of atrial fibrillation by taking an electrocardiogram. There’s also the Blood Oxygen app which allows users to take on-demand readings of your blood oxygen levels too.

Measure your blood oxygen. It’s a breathtaking innovation. The sensor and app in Apple Watch Series 11 allow you to take on‑demand readings of your blood oxygen as well as background readings, day and night.

Apple Watch Series 11 has a brighter display

Promising up to 2000 nits of brightness, the Apple Watch Series 11 promises to be brighter than the Apple Watch Series 9 or earlier when viewed at an angle. The SE 3, on the other hand, sees up to just 1000 nits which is the same as its Watch SE 2 predecessor. 

Even so, we found the Apple Watch SE 2’s display was bright enough to comfortably see while outdoors in bright sunlight.

Otherwise, both the Series 11 and SE 3’s screens are equipped with ion-exchanged strengthened (Ion-X) glass, which is claimed to be the toughest glass available on a smartwatch.

Early Verdict

If you want an affordable everyday smartwatch for yourself or a loved one, and don’t mind missing out on tools like an ECG or Blood Oxygen app, then the Apple Watch SE 3 is a great budget-friendly option. The fact it runs on the same S10 chip as its pricier counterparts is especially noteworthy, as it means you can expect flagship level performance and tools without forking out.

On the other hand, if you want more of a deep dive into your health metrics, then the Apple Watch Series 11 is an equally good option. 

We’ll update this versus once we’ve reviewed both the smartwatches.