Apple Watch SE 3 44mm (GPS, Midnight Aluminum Case, Midnight Sport Band M/L)

Apple Watch SE 3 44mm (GPS, Midnight Aluminum Case, Midnight Sport Band M/L)

By Apple · Smartwatches · Phones & Computers

  • 44mm aluminum case (44 x 38 x 10.7 mm, 32.9 g)
  • Always-On Retina OLED display, up to 1,000 nits, 326 ppi
  • S10 SiP chip with 64GB storage
  • Up to 18 hours battery life (up to 32 hours in Low Power Mode)
  • Fast charging: 15 minutes for up to 8 hours of use

Lowest price seen
~$249.00 (approx.)
from $249.00 at Amazon

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

The Apple Watch SE 3 44mm GPS is Apple’s entry-level smartwatch, with an always-on display, the same S10 chip as the Series 11 and Ultra 3, fast charging and 50m water resistance. Check whether you need ECG or blood-oxygen readings before buying: the SE 3 leaves both out, along with hypertension notifications and a QWERTY keyboard.

Strengths

  • The always-on display is new to the SE line, so you can read the time without raising your wrist.
  • The S10 chip is the same silicon as the Series 11 and Ultra 3, so there is no lag.
  • Fast charging makes daily top-ups practical: 15 minutes buys up to 8 hours of use.
  • Independent testing found battery life above Apple’s 18-hour claim across most outlets.
  • 50m water resistance and Ion-X glass rated 4x more crack-resistant than the SE 2.
  • Light and comfortable for all-day and overnight wear at 32.9 g.

Weaknesses

  • No ECG, no blood oxygen and no hypertension notifications; these live one tier up.
  • A dimmer display (1,000 nits vs 2,000) and thicker bezels than the Series 11.
  • No QWERTY keyboard, so text entry is dictation, scribble or the paired iPhone.
  • Wi-Fi is 2.4GHz only, and there is no ultra-wideband chip for precise Find My tracking.
  • Some owners report battery life below expectations, and a few report touch or display problems.
  • The optical heart sensor is 2nd generation, a step behind the Series 11’s 3rd-generation sensor.

Verified specifications

ModelApple Watch SE 3 (3rd generation), 44mm GPS.
Case100% recycled aluminum in a Midnight finish, with Ion-X front glass and a sapphire crystal back.
Dimensions44 × 38 × 10.7 mm.
Weight32.9 g (GPS).
DisplayAlways-On Retina OLED with LTPO, 368 × 448 pixels, 977 sq mm, 326 ppi, 1,000 nits peak brightness and 2 nits minimum.
ChipS10 SiP with a 64-bit dual-core processor and a 4-core Neural Engine.
Storage64GB.
Batteryup to 18 hours of normal use, up to 32 hours in Low Power Mode, and up to 7 hours of outdoor workout tracking.
Fast chargingup to 80% in about 45 minutes; 15 minutes for up to 8 hours of normal use; 8 minutes for up to 8 hours of sleep tracking.
Water resistance50 meters (swimproof) under ISO 22810:2010.
GlassIon-X front glass, 4x more crack-resistant than the SE 2.
Sensors2nd-generation optical heart sensor, temperature sensor, compass, always-on altimeter, high-g accelerometer, high dynamic range gyroscope and ambient light sensor.
ConnectivityWi-Fi 4 (802.11n, 2.4GHz only), Bluetooth 5.3, L1 GPS with GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS and BeiDou, Apple Pay and GymKit.
CompatibilityiPhone 11 or later with iOS 27 or later; no Android support.
In the boxApple Watch SE 3, a Sport Band in M/L, and the Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable (1m). No 20W power adapter.
Warrantyone-year limited against manufacturing defects.
Full research notes and sources

Battery life and charging

Apple rates the SE 3 at 18 hours of normal use and 32 hours in Low Power Mode. Independent tests ran longer: PCMag measured 46 hours, CNET 20 to 25 hours, Consumer Reports 78 hours and Wirecutter 23 hours. The spread tracks use, not a defect. Fast charging lands 80% in about 45 minutes, and a 10-minute charge can add around 10 percentage points. Using the cellular model away from a paired phone costs roughly 2 hours of total runtime.

What the SE 3 leaves out

The S10 chip and always-on display are flagship hardware, but the SE 3 is not a Series 11. It drops the ECG app, the blood oxygen sensor and hypertension notifications, and its 977 sq mm display is smaller than the 42mm Series 11’s 989 sq mm. It also skips IP6X dust resistance, dual-band Wi-Fi and the ultra-wideband chip. Reviewers agree most buyers will not miss the missing health sensors; if you need them for a specific condition, step up a tier.

Size, fit and display

The 44mm case fits 140–245mm wrists, and the included M/L Sport Band fits 160–210mm wrists. The always-on display is the reason to choose the SE 3 over the SE 2, but it is not a bright panel: Wirecutter measured it dimming to 500 nits when the arm is down, and off-angle visibility is worse than the wide-angle OLED on the Series 11. The 40mm model is noticeably small, so the 44mm is the safer frame for text and notifications.

Repairs, parts and running costs

Apple gives the SE 3 a one-year limited warranty. AppleCare+ for the SE is $29.99 for two years and covers accidental damage. Battery service is available, but the screen is glued down and iFixit reports that replacement needs heat and careful prying. Apple lists the 44mm GPS at $279 and the 40mm at $249, with the refurbished 44mm at $239. Fitness+ costs $9.99 a month if you use it. The 50m water resistance is not permanent and should not be trusted for scuba diving or high-velocity water sports.

Is it worth it?

At $239–250 the SE 3 44mm GPS is strong value: always-on display, S10 chip, fast charging and the core health and safety features. At $279 it is still good, though the gap to the Series 11 narrows. Above $300 it is hard to justify unless you specifically want the SE form factor. The Series 11 costs $399 and adds the better display, thinner bezels and the advanced health sensors.

Which model this is

This page covers the Apple Watch SE 3 (3rd generation), 44mm GPS, Apple’s model number MEHJ4LW/A, introduced on September 9, 2025. It comes in Midnight and Starlight aluminum. Don’t confuse it with the SE (2nd generation), the Series 11 or the Ultra 3, which differ in display, sensors and price.

The US listing is ASIN B0FQFJ2WRG.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

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