Earlier this yr, I typed up an open letter to Apple, giving the corporate my unsolicited (however utterly freed from cost!) strategies on what it might do to enhance its entry-level smartwatch, the Apple Watch SE. Now that the iPhone occasion has concluded I needed to see if anybody over in Cupertino took my recommendation.
I requested for a much bigger display screen, a quicker processor and quicker charging. I stated flashier supplies weren’t obligatory, nor was an always-on show. I additionally did not suppose the watch wanted to have each final well being sensor. However on-board Siri could be good. The Apple Watch SE 3 has a few of what I requested for, however not the whole lot. Nonetheless, on the similar $250, that is wanting like a reasonably tempting price range smartwatch.
The display screen remains to be small but the processor is prime of the road
I in contrast the show on the SE Gen 2 to my outdated Apple Watch Collection 4 and so they have been about the identical measurement. It is usable, however after carrying the Collection 10, and even the Collection 9 for some time, the display screen feels dinky. Right down to the pixel, the scale on the SE 3 is the very same on the Apple Watch SE gen 2, with a 759 sq. millimeter show space. Sigh.
The Apple Watch SE second technology
(Amy Skorheim for Engadget)
However! The identical S10 chip that is going into the brand new Collection 11 will ship contained in the Apple Watch SE 3, too. Meaning the price range smartwatch will be capable to deal with watchOS 26 options like Exercise Buddy and Stay Translation, similar to its pricier siblings (an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone nonetheless must be close by, because it does with the opposite wearables).
That new chip can even allow the helpful double faucet gesture in addition to the brand new wrist flick transfer that dismisses notifications — one thing I discover surprisingly helpful as an inveterate notification-clearer. You additionally get on-board processing of Siri requests. No extra extreme tapping simply to start out a timer. Each the gesture and Siri help are issues I would hoped a brand new SE would have. So, yay!
The Apple Watch SE 3 can provide you a sleep rating, similar to its pricier siblings
(Apple)
AOD is not essential, however quicker charging is
In my expertise with smartwatches, an always-on-display is a pleasant to have, however not essential if the display screen lights up rapidly sufficient once I carry my wrist. However Apple went forward and added the characteristic. In order that’s a bonus.
I additionally stated we might do and not using a brighter display screen, and Apple agreed. Just like the SE Gen 2, the SE 3 has a most brightness of 1000 nits — that is a lot. I can simply learn the time and different pertinent data in vibrant daylight on such a display screen, and really feel no want for the additional blaze of the Collection 11’s 2000 nits.
Essentially the most essential ask was quicker charging. The SE Gen 2 charged… so… slowly… It took over two hours to juice up. Which, for me, made it utterly unusable as a sleep tracker, since I could not recharge it whereas I bought prepared for the day (one thing I might do with each different latest smartwatch I’ve examined). Fortunately, Apple mounted the issue. The SE 3 can go for 8 hours after simply quarter-hour on the charger. Hallelujah.
The Apple Watch SE second technology charged too slowly.
(Amy Skorheim for Engadget)
Sensors, case supplies and the remaining
The large information for the flagship Collection 11 watch was a characteristic that may detect hypertension. The Apple Watch SE 3 cannot do this. Nor does it have the sensors for the ECG app. As I stated in my letter, it is OK if my watch is not a physician’s workplace. The SE 3 can observe your coronary heart charge throughout exercises and might ship the brand new sleep rating if you happen to put on it to mattress. Plus Apple added temperature sensors that may assist with ovulation predictions and the like. That is greater than sufficient well being information gathering for a price range smartwatch.
Whereas there was speak of a plastic model of the SE, that did not occur. As a substitute, the SE 3 is comprised of an aluminum alloy, similar to the bottom mannequin Collection 11 — related sturdiness is a pleasant consideration for any price range mannequin.
And it is nonetheless simply $250! When the Apple Watch SE Gen 2 got here out again in 2022, Engadget’s Cherlynn Low referred to as it “the most effective smartwatch $250 can purchase.” With all of the enhancements Apple has added, that reward could now be an understatement.
So perhaps the Apple folks did not learn my letter. However sufficient good things got here to be that I will faux they did. It is at all times good to really feel heard.
