The first reviews for the new Apple Watch SE 3 are out, and without exception, they say it's so good that they're not sure how the Apple Watch Series 11 can compete with it.
The earliest reviewers are saying that the biggest benefit of the Apple Watch Series 11 is its extended battery life. They're saying that the greatest benefits, plural, of the new Apple Watch Ultra 3 are its display and even longer battery life.
But for the lowest-cost Apple Watch SE 3, they're all asking whether this is really still an entry-level model.
Apple Watch SE 3
Almost too good to be true
T3 writer Matt Kollat says that "the line between affordable and premium just got seriously blurred."
"[The] SE has transformed from a budget-friendly compromise," he continues, "into a full-featured smartwatch at a price that feels almost too good to be true."
Kollat does recognise that there are use cases for the Apple Watch Series 11, such as blood pressure monitoring. But for "the average Apple Watch buyer, the SE 3 delivers almost everything they'll realistically use day to day."
Tom's Guide writer Kate Kozuch says that when she used to recommend the Apple Watch SE, she would always qualify that recommendation. But now "
most of the trade-offs or caveats I needed to disclaim with the Apple Watch SE 2 are gone."
"In other words, Apple's entry-level watch is starting to look a lot less entry-level," she continues. "In fact, for me, a certified Apple Watch enthusiast, it's the most exciting pick among the best Apple Watch options, looking at the upgrades available to this year's family alone."
In her accompanying YouTube video, Kozuch is a little less enthusiastic over some of the Apple Watch SE 3's features, specifically it's new built-in speaker.
"Not life-changing," she says, "but still a cool addition.
Also on YouTube, though, iJustine is much happier with that speaker. "It's pretty cool," she says, "it's actually pretty loud."
Fashion and design
While the Apple Watch Ultra 3's looks were the focus of some reviews in publications such as GQ, the humble Apple Watch SE 3 gets similar attention from the Daily Express.
"I can honestly say I'd have no issues strapping the new SE 3 to my wrist," writes David Snelling. "[That's] something I've not said in the past."
Snelling says he's turned around on that one specifically because of the new Always-On display. That "means you see a constant watch face rather than a black and blank screen on your arm."
He summarizes his review by noting how the Apple Watch SE used to be so clearly a lower-cost budget option. "But the new Apple Watch SE 3 has just changed that, and it now makes the SE a seriously tempting purchase."
Horology site Hodinkee sees that the new watch is "much closer to the flagship" now, but even so, says that "it very much still feels like an entry-level, if not older generation, Apple Watch."
Overall, writer Tantan Wang has the most reserved review of the Apple Watch SE 3. While praising the new features, he concludes that it "might serve as an interesting option for those looking for an Apple Watch to strictly use for fitness tracking and sleep tracking."
He regards it as "a reasonably priced complement to an extensive mechanical watch collection."
Compare that to The Verge, which concludes that "Apple gave the people what they wanted, resulting in the most compelling update to the Apple Watch lineup this year."
