Apple Watch Series 11 vs Ultra 3 vs SE 3: which one’s right for you?

I've been testing all three Apple Watches since September 2025 and while the choice was tough, I do have a favourite, but only by a margin.

Let's start with the entry-level Apple Watch SE 3 first, which starts at $399 and comes in two sizes - 40mm and 44mm.

I bought my partner the first-generation Watch SE back when it first came out and took it for a few test runs myself.

This time around, I spent over a month with the 40mm Watch SE 3 and I'm quite frankly blown away by how far it's come.

You have an aluminium frame with a more durable glass on top and an always-on display for the very first time, which I reckon is its biggest upgrade.

There are also some great touch-free gestures, such as the wrist flick and double tap, which can be useful for dismissing alarms and notifications.

A slew of health and fitness features include heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, cycle tracking, and an optical heart rate sensor.

Since this is a budget smartwatch, you do have some compromises. You don't get things like hypertension monitoring or the ability to take an ECG.

However, if you don't care about that stuff, it'll be a non-issue.

The performance is smooth and similar to what we saw on the Watch Series 10. This isn't surprising as it's using the same hardware.

The only things that bothered me a bit were the thicker bezels, the battery sometimes needing a top-up before the day was over if I'd been really active, and the brightness while I was out for my long bike rides.

However, given the price point, those are easy to look past as well.

Apple Watch Series 11

Apple Watch Series 11 on the left and Watch SE 3 on the right.

This is where things start to feel a bit more premium, with prices starting for the Apple Watch Series starting $679.

You can get it in 42mm or 46mm.

It's worth noting that the upgrades over the Series 10 are fairly modest. If you're already rocking last year's model, you're not missing much by sitting this one out.

The Watch Series 11 brings thinner bezels and a larger, brighter OLED display that hits 2,000 nits (compared to 1,000 nits on the SE 3).

Apple also says the Ion-X glass on the aluminium frame is twice as scratch-resistant as the previous model.

Similar to the Watch SE 3, it's water resistant up to 50m, but it also includes a depth gauge up to 6m and a water sensor.

I've been wearing the Series 11 since October and it's held up really well so far, shrugging off plenty of bumps and scrapes without any issues.

Compared to the Watch SE 3, you also unlock more advanced health features including ECG, blood oxygen monitoring and hypertension alerts.

But to be honest, my primary use case has been checking my sleep score and my fitness stats after a workout.

I was a little bothered by how simple the sleep score was at first, but I'm starting to understand it's more about sleep habits than anything deeper.

What I really wish Apple offered, though, is a readiness or energy score, something I came to appreciate while wearing the Google Pixel Watch 4.

Fitness and health features aside, I can't tell you how many times I've pressed the button to ping my iPhone and track it down.

Lastly, the battery life has been pretty great, lasting well into the first half of day two, unless I've been very active the previous 24 hours.

Apple Watch Ultra 3

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the priciest model in the lineup, starting at $1,399, and it definitely looks the part.

It's also the biggest design shift compared to the Watch Series 11 and Watch SE 3.

You get a single 49mm size, and at around 61.6 grams, it's noticeably heavier than the Watch Series 11, which ranges between roughly 30.3 and 43.1 grams.

I do like the chunky, rugged look, but the downside is it can be a bit uncomfortable to sleep with - enough to make me reach for the Watch Series 11 instead.

On the adventure side, it offers water resistance up to 100m, a depth gauge to 40m, and a water sensor.

That means you can swim, snorkel, and even scuba dive with it, which is perfect for water lovers like me. I've already taken it snorkelling, and scuba diving is next on my list very soon.

Battery life is excellent. Apple claims up to 42 hours, and my own testing has shown it hits about the same.

The Ultra 3 also takes things a step further with satellite connectivity. The other two models only support cellular connectivity.

Thankfully, I haven't had to use this feature yet, but it's reassuring to know it's there in an emergency.

Speaking of emergencies, I asked my partner to take the Ultra 3 on a long bike ride to Sydney Airport.

On his way back, he had an accident - let's blame the Magpie that refused to move out of his way.

He had a pretty bad fall, and the watch detected the crash, asking if it should call emergency services as he'd deactivated automatic calling.

And while the incident was upsetting, it's nice to know the crash detection feature worked as expected.

Apple Watch Series 11 vs Ultra 3 vs SE 3 - Final verdict

The Watch SE 3 is a great option if you're on a strict budget, but the Watch Series 11 would be my ultimate pick.

It's more feature-driven, the battery life is great, and I personally appreciate the thinner bezels and brighter screen.

The Ultra 3 is fantastic too, but for the price, it's really for those who'll make the most of its ruggedness and durability, designed for the outdoors.

Plus, the longer battery life is a big advantage for anyone with an active lifestyle.

I just really hope that in 2026, Apple makes it more comfortable to wear overnight.