Table of Contents
Choose quickly (without making a mistake)
Sport + advanced health → Series 11. First purchase/teenager/budget → SE 3. Music/notifications away from iPhone regularly? Take Cellular; otherwise, stay in GPS, you will gain in simplicity.
Need a wider panorama (you are hesitant with other brands, normal)? Take a look at our selection of reliable iPhone watches to put the integration effort into context.
What is really changing in 2025
Series 11: better day + night endurance, brighter screen, more resistant front glass on aluminum, complete health sensors, hypertension notifications. SE 3: Always-On, fast charging, clearer sleep tracking, temperature sensor — and a price that remains reasonable.
Want to dig into the pure new features of Series 11 (without varnish)? Browse our detailed Series 11 focus to see what matters, on the wrist, not in the plug.
Purchasing experience (field)
Size : wrist < 16.5 cm → 40/42 mm; beyond → 44/46 mm for readability. Bracelet : fitted, not tight (ECG hates flutter). Charge : adopt the “sprint” after the shower. Cellular : eSIM test 1 month; if you rarely stream on the move, GPS will suffice. That’s a bad idea to pay for nothing.
Summary
- Budget/essentials : SE 3 (Always-On, 6 p.m., temperature, apnea, no ECG/SpO₂).
- Advanced health + readability : Series 11 (ECG, SpO₂, hypertension, 24 h, 2,000 nits).
- France Price : €269 (SE 3) vs €449 (Series 11). Deviation justified by the sensors.
- Cellular : 5G option on both, depending on operator/local network.
FAQs
Does SE 3 have ECG?
No. The ECG and oximeter are reserved for Series 11 (and Ultra).
What size should I choose for my wrist?
Below ~16.5 cm: 40/42 mm. Above: 44/46 mm. The objective: readable without visual excess.
Should you take the Cellular version?
Useful if you often leave the iPhone at home (running, swimming, short trips). Otherwise, GPS is more than sufficient.
Real 24-hour battery life with sleep tracking?
Series 11: full day + night if you do a charging “sprint” (~15 min). SE 3: favor sprinting at the end of the day, you can last through the night.
Is the SE 3 suitable for triathlon?
For leisure yes (reliable GPS, swimming OK). For structured training + advanced sensors, the Series 11 is more suitable.
