Apple Watch SE 3 (44mm): GPS + Cellular Review
The Apple Watch SE (gen 3) GPS + Cellular (44mm) represents a compelling entry point into the Apple Watch ecosystem. Balancing essential features with an accessible price point, it’s a smartwatch designed for everyday use, fitness tracking, and staying connected on the go. This comprehensive review will delve into its design, performance, features, and overall value, helping you decide if the Apple Watch SE 3 (44mm) is the right choice for you.
Design and Display
The Apple Watch SE (gen 3) maintains a familiar design aesthetic, borrowing heavily from previous Apple Watch models. The 44mm case size is ideal for those who prefer a larger display and more comfortable interaction. The case is made from recycled aluminum, reflecting Apple’s commitment to environmental responsibility. While it doesn’t feature the always-on display found in the higher-end Apple Watch Series models, the Retina display is still bright and clear, offering excellent visibility in most lighting conditions. The screen’s responsiveness is also top-notch, ensuring a smooth and fluid user experience.
The absence of an always-on display means you’ll need to raise your wrist or tap the screen to activate it. This might be a minor inconvenience for some, but it contributes to the SE’s longer battery life compared to models with always-on displays. The overall build quality is excellent, and the watch feels premium despite its more affordable price tag. The Digital Crown and side button provide tactile feedback and intuitive navigation through the watchOS interface.
The band is easily interchangeable, allowing you to customize the look of your Apple Watch SE 3 with a wide variety of straps available from Apple and third-party manufacturers. From sporty silicone bands to elegant leather straps, you can find a band to suit any occasion and personal style.
Performance and Battery Life
Under the hood, the Apple Watch SE (gen 3) is powered by the S8 SiP (System in Package), the same chip found in the Apple Watch Series 8. This ensures snappy performance and smooth multitasking. Apps launch quickly, animations are fluid, and the overall user experience is responsive. Whether you’re checking notifications, tracking a workout, or using Apple Pay, the SE 3 handles everything with ease.
Battery life is another strong point of the Apple Watch SE (gen 3). With typical usage, you can expect to get a full day of battery life, and potentially even longer depending on your usage patterns. If you’re primarily using it for fitness tracking and notification management, you might be able to stretch it to two days. However, activities like GPS-intensive workouts and cellular calls will drain the battery more quickly. Charging is done wirelessly using the included magnetic charging cable.
Key Features: GPS and Cellular Connectivity
One of the standout features of the Apple Watch SE (gen 3) is its built-in GPS and cellular connectivity. The GPS allows you to accurately track your workouts without needing to carry your iPhone with you. You can record your distance, pace, and route for activities like running, cycling, and swimming. The cellular connectivity, on the other hand, allows you to make calls, send texts, and stream music even when your iPhone is not nearby. This is particularly useful for situations where you want to leave your phone at home but still stay connected. For example, you can go for a run and still be able to receive important calls or messages.
To use the cellular functionality, you’ll need to activate a cellular plan with your carrier. This typically involves paying a monthly fee to add your Apple Watch SE 3 to your existing phone plan. Once activated, you can use the watch independently of your iPhone for most tasks. This feature makes the Apple Watch Series 10 power and connectivity seem less impressive compared to the SE 3’s value proposition.
Health and Fitness Tracking
The Apple Watch SE (gen 3) is a capable fitness tracker, offering a wide range of features to help you monitor your activity levels and achieve your fitness goals. It tracks your steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes throughout the day. The Activity Rings provide a visual representation of your progress, encouraging you to move more and sit less. The watch also supports a variety of workout modes, including running, cycling, swimming, yoga, and more. It can automatically detect when you start a workout and prompt you to record it.
In addition to basic activity tracking, the Apple Watch SE 3 also offers advanced health features like heart rate monitoring, irregular heart rhythm notifications, and fall detection. The heart rate sensor continuously monitors your heart rate and alerts you if it detects abnormally high or low readings. The irregular heart rhythm notification feature can detect potential signs of atrial fibrillation (Afib), a common heart condition. Fall detection can detect when you’ve taken a hard fall and automatically call emergency services if you’re unable to respond. These health features can provide valuable insights into your well-being and potentially help you detect and address health issues early on.
The Apple Watch SE (gen 3) integrates seamlessly with the Apple Health app, allowing you to track your health and fitness data over time. You can view trends, set goals, and share your data with your doctor. The Apple Health app is a comprehensive platform for managing all of your health information in one place.
watchOS and App Ecosystem
The Apple Watch SE (gen 3) runs watchOS, Apple’s operating system for smartwatches. watchOS is known for its intuitive interface, smooth performance, and rich app ecosystem. You can customize the watch face with a variety of complications, which are small widgets that display information like the date, time, weather, and activity progress. The App Store on watchOS offers a wide range of apps, including fitness trackers, productivity tools, games, and more. You can easily download and install apps directly from your wrist.
watchOS also includes features like Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, which allows you to control your watch with your voice. You can use Siri to set reminders, send messages, make calls, and more. The operating system is regularly updated with new features and improvements, ensuring that your Apple Watch SE 3 stays up-to-date with the latest technology.
Value Proposition
The Apple Watch SE (gen 3) strikes a compelling balance between features and price. It offers many of the essential features of the higher-end Apple Watch models at a more affordable price point. While it lacks some of the advanced features like the always-on display and blood oxygen monitoring, it still provides a great user experience and a comprehensive set of health and fitness tracking tools. The GPS and cellular connectivity are particularly valuable for those who want to stay connected without needing to carry their iPhone with them. The Apple Watch SE 3 is a great option for first-time Apple Watch owners or those looking for a more budget-friendly option.
Compared to other smartwatches in its price range, the Apple Watch SE (gen 3) stands out for its seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, its smooth performance, and its rich app ecosystem. While devices like the Samsung Galaxy A50s key features offer competitive features, the Apple Watch SE 3 provides a unique experience for iPhone users.
Pros and Cons
To summarize, here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons of the Apple Watch SE (gen 3) GPS + Cellular (44mm):
- Pros:
- Affordable price
- Smooth performance
- GPS and cellular connectivity
- Comprehensive health and fitness tracking
- Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem
- Cons:
- No always-on display
- Lacks some advanced health features (e.g., blood oxygen monitoring)
- Cellular connectivity requires a separate plan
Who is the Apple Watch SE (gen 3) For?
The Apple Watch SE (gen 3) is a great choice for a variety of users. It’s ideal for:
- First-time Apple Watch owners
- Those looking for a more affordable Apple Watch option
- Fitness enthusiasts who want to track their workouts
- People who want to stay connected without needing to carry their iPhone with them
- Anyone who wants a stylish and functional smartwatch
Alternative Options
If the Apple Watch SE (gen 3) doesn’t quite meet your needs, there are other options to consider. The Apple Watch Series 9 (or potentially the Series 10 when it is released) offers more advanced features like an always-on display, blood oxygen monitoring, and an ECG app. However, it also comes at a higher price point. Other smartwatches from brands like Samsung, Fitbit, and Garmin offer different features and price points, so it’s worth doing your research to find the best option for you. You might even find some unbeatable early Black Friday Macbook Air deals that could be a better investment depending on your needs.
Conclusion
The Apple Watch SE (gen 3) GPS + Cellular (44mm) is a well-rounded smartwatch that offers a great balance of features, performance, and price. It’s a compelling option for anyone looking to enter the Apple Watch ecosystem or upgrade from an older model. While it lacks some of the advanced features of the higher-end Apple Watch models, it still provides a excellent user experience and a comprehensive set of health and fitness tracking tools. The GPS and cellular connectivity are particularly valuable for those who want to stay connected on the go. Overall, the Apple Watch SE 3 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable and feature-rich smartwatch.
