Apple has officially unveiled the third-generation Apple Watch SE, bringing major upgrades to its entry-level smartwatch lineup. The SE 3 combines advanced health and fitness features with a faster processor, improved display, and 5G connectivity—all at a budget-friendly price point. Pre-orders start immediately, with in-store availability beginning Friday, September 19, 2025.

Price and Availability

The Apple Watch SE 3 is designed to offer a feature-rich experience without breaking the bank.

India Pricing:

Starts at ₹25,900 for the 40mm aluminium variant

Available in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm

Colour options: Midnight and Starlight

The smartwatch is available for pre-order in over 50 markets, including India, and comes with aluminium casing for a lightweight, durable feel.

Design and Always-On Display

The SE 3 introduces an Always-On display, powered by the new S10 chip, enabling users to glance at time, notifications, and workout metrics without lifting their wrist. The watch features toughened Ion-X glass, which is four times more crack-resistant than previous generations, ensuring durability for everyday wear.

The design remains sleek and lightweight, maintaining Apple’s signature comfort for all-day use.

Performance: S10 Chip and 5G Connectivity

At the heart of the Apple Watch SE 3 is the S10 chip, which delivers faster performance and improved efficiency. Key connectivity and performance features include:

5G cellular support for faster downloads, streaming, and messaging even without an iPhone nearby

On-device Siri that responds faster and can access or log health data securely

Efficient battery management with up to 18 hours of use per charge and fast charging that delivers 8 hours of usage in about 15 minutes and approximately 80% charge in 45 minutes

Advanced Health and Fitness Features

The SE 3 continues to build on Apple’s commitment to wellness with upgraded health tools:

Sleep Score: Provides a simple, clear view of nightly sleep quality using data like heart rate, respiratory rate, and bedtime consistency

Wrist Temperature Sensing: Enhances the Vitals app insights for better health monitoring

Retrospective Ovulation Estimates: Improves period prediction for more accurate reproductive health tracking

Core fitness features such as activity rings, workout tracking, training load, cardio recovery, challenges, sharing, and trends remain fully integrated.

With watchOS 26, SE 3 introduces:

Workout Buddy: AI-powered spoken motivation during workouts based on pace, heart rate, and distance

Custom workouts synced from iPhone

Pacer and Race Route features for running and cycling

Automatic playback of music or podcasts when workouts begin

Smart Features and Accessibility

Apple Watch SE 3 also improves usability and accessibility:

Supports double tap and wrist flick gestures for one-handed operations

Voice Isolation for clearer calls

Direct speaker playback for music and podcasts

Enhanced Apple Watch for Kids: allows parents to set up SE 3 for children, enabling calls, messages, location sharing, Activity goals, Memoji, Maps, and emergency features

Conclusion

The Apple Watch SE 3 redefines the entry-level smartwatch experience by combining advanced health and fitness tools, a faster S10 chip, Always-On display, 5G connectivity, and extended battery life at an accessible price. With features like Sleep Score, wrist temperature sensing, fast charging, and AI-powered Workout Buddy, it’s designed to support an active and connected lifestyle for users of all ages.

For anyone looking to experience Apple Watch functionality without investing in a Pro model, the SE 3 provides a perfect balance of performance, health monitoring, and affordability.