Is the $150 Premium Still Worth It? Apple Watch SE 3 vs Series 11 Comparison

The gap between standard and budget smartwatches has never felt smaller. Apple recently unveiled its three-pronged watch lineup for the year: the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3, and the high-end Ultra 3. According to TechCrunch, while the $799 Ultra 3 remains a niche choice, the real decision for most consumers lies between the $249 SE 3 and the $399 Series 11.

Apple Watch SE 3 vs Series 11: Narrowing the Performance Gap

Don't let the budget label fool you. The Apple Watch SE 3 received a massive upgrade this year, jumping from the S8 to the latest S10 chip. This means both the SE 3 and the flagship Series 11 share the same raw processing power. For the first time, the SE 3 features an always-on Retina display and fast charging, effectively eliminating two of the most significant reasons users used to upgrade to more expensive models.

Premium Features for Power Users

So, what does the extra $150 get you? The Series 11 is nearly 10% thinner and sports a much brighter 2000 nits wide-angle OLED. It also packs a suite of advanced health tools, including hypertension notifications and an ECG app. If you're looking for precision finding for your iPhone or need a depth gauge for swimming, the Series 11 remains the superior choice.