Apple Watch Series 11 vs Apple Watch SE 3: which one is right for you?

Apple has updated all Apple Watch models this year – we compare the Apple Watch Series 11 and the cheaper Apple Watch SE 3.

Apple Watch Series 11 vs SE 3

Maybe you were already planning to buy one of these Apple Watches, but wondered which one would suit you best. Do you really need the more expensive version, or does the cheap version already have enough to offer for you? This comparison will help you with that.

Housing

The casing of the Apple Watch SE 3 is made of aluminum and you can choose from a 40 and a 44 millimeter case, and the colors Midnight and Starlight. With the Apple Watch Series 11 you have more choices. To start, you can choose between an aluminum or a titanium housing.

In both cases you can choose between a 42 and a 46 millimeter case. With the aluminum Apple Watch Series 11, you can choose from the colors Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold and Jet Black. The titanium version comes in the colors Natural, Gold and Slate.

Screen

Depending on which size you choose, the resolution of the screen is also different. For example, the 42 mm Apple Watch Series 11 has a resolution of 374 x 446 pixels and the 46 mm variant has 416 x 496 pixels. On the Apple Watch SE 3, the 40 mm has a resolution of 324 x 394 pixels and on the 44 mm version it is 368 x 448 pixels.

The Apple Watch Series 11’s screen also has a higher maximum brightness (2000 nits) than the Apple Watch SE 3 (1000 nits). You will especially notice this difference when you try to read the screen in direct sunlight. The Series 11 succeeds in that a lot better. Both devices have an always-on screen.

Performance

At this point, both Apple Watches are evenly matched. They both have an S10 chip. The Apple Watch Series 11 and the SE 3 respond equally quickly, and that is a big plus for the much cheaper SE3.

Sensors

Here the Series 11 again easily beats the SE 3. The most important sensors, such as a heart rate sensor and a temperature sensor, can be found on both Apple Watches. The Series 11 also has a number that are missing from the SE 3. Consider an oxygen saturation sensor and a water temperature sensor. Whether you really want that is of course very personal.

Battery

If a long battery life is important to you, it is best to choose the Apple Watch Series 11. It lasts up to 24 hours with normal use. That’s nice if you wear your Apple Watch day and night. With the Apple Watch SE 3 you can get up to 18 hours. Although that is not a bad score, you do come up just a little short. Moreover, you can charge the Apple Watch Series 11 to 80 percent in half an hour. That takes 45 minutes with the Apple Watch SE 3.

Conclusion

If you want to be cheap, then the Apple Watch SE 3 is not a bad choice at all. Thanks to the S10 chip, it is just as fast as the Series 11 and the most important sensors are included. If you want more sensors, a screen with a higher maximum brightness and a longer battery life, then the Series 11 is the better choice. You will have to pay a lot more money for that. For some this will be worth it, for others it may not.

Want to buy an Apple Watch Series 11 or SE 3?

Have you made your choice and do you want to purchase the Apple Watch Series 11 or Apple Watch SE 3? Then keep an eye on the deals below to make sure you don’t pay too much!