Apple Watch SE 3 price in India starts at Rs 25,900.
For the first time, the SE series gets an Always-On display.
All three smartwatches run on the same S10 chip.
Apple has refreshed its smartwatch line-up with three new models this year: the Apple Watch Ultra 3, the Watch Series 11, and the Watch SE 3. To give you a quick recap, the Watch Ultra 3 is for those seeking adventure. It is built for climbers, hikers, divers, and anyone who likes to push boundaries. The Watch Series 11 is the all-rounder, giving you most of the latest features in a slimmer, more elegant package. And then there’s the Watch SE 3, the entry-level smartwatch that Apple would like you to see as the ‘basic’ one. But here’s the twist: the Watch SE 3 might just be the most sensible choice of the lot. It’s not only because of its affordable price, starting at Rs 25,900, but also because of the fact that this time, Apple has given it more than enough muscle to stand alongside its pricier siblings. Let us explain.
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The Apple Watch Ultra 3 will grab the headlines. At Rs 89,900, it’s the top-tier offering with the biggest screen, satellite connectivity, and the most rugged design Apple has ever made. The Watch Series 11, starting at Rs 46,900, sits comfortably in the middle with features like blood oxygen monitoring, ECG support, and a thinner profile. But the Watch SE 3 is where Apple has made some clever decisions. For the first time, the SE series gets an Always-On display, powered by the new S10 chip. Granted, the screen may not be the brightest of the lot, but it’s a significant upgrade from the earlier SE models, and it puts the Watch SE 3 in the same league as the more expensive options when it comes to day-to-day usability.
Why the Apple Watch SE 3 makes sense
For many people, the Apple Watch isn’t about climbing mountains or diving 40 metres underwater. It’s about tracking your heart rate during workouts, keeping an eye on your sleep, and getting those gentle nudges to stand up after sitting too long. The Watch SE 3 does all of that, and more, without demanding a huge investment. Apple has now also added wrist temperature tracking, sleep apnea alerts, retrospective ovulation estimates, and support for new gestures like double-tap and wrist flick. Of course, these may not sound as flashy as satellite SOS or dive certifications, but they are features that actually matter to the everyday user.
Apple has also ensured that the Watch SE 3 shares the same foundation as its higher-end siblings. It runs on the same S10 chip, which means performance is expected to be identical across all three watches. You still get watchOS 26, complete with on-device Siri, Apple Intelligence integration, and smoother navigation. This is not a stripped-down watch in terms of speed or software. It feels like a proper part of the 2025 line-up, not a secondary afterthought.
What you miss out on
Of course, there are compromises. The Apple Watch SE 3 doesn’t get blood oxygen monitoring or ECG support; those are still reserved for the Series 11 and Ultra 3. It’s also less rugged, with water resistance limited to 50 metres. The display isn’t as bright, and it doesn’t use the same LTPO3 tech found in the pricier models. The battery life is rated at 18 hours, compared to 24 hours on the Series 11 and up to 42 hours on the Ultra 3. On paper, those are weaknesses, but in practice, they may not be dealbreakers for most people.
Think about it, if you’re not a diver, the lack of dive certification won’t matter. If you don’t need constant blood oxygen checks, you won’t miss that sensor. And while battery life is lower, the Watch SE 3 now charges twice as fast, making it far more practical as a sleep tracker. It’s these small tweaks that add up here and there, turning the Watch SE 3 into a surprisingly capable device that delivers the Apple Watch experience at a fraction of the cost.
Value for money matters
Apple knows the Watch SE series is its volume driver. The earlier SE models already sold in big numbers, but this year’s refresh feels like the most complete version of the SE yet. It captures the essence of what makes the Apple Watch popular: health tracking, fitness support, seamless integration with the iPhone, and a slick design — without pushing the price into five figures. For Rs 25,900, it offers more than enough to satisfy the majority of users, and that’s exactly why it may end up stealing the spotlight from the fancier Series 11 and Ultra 3.
In a way, the SE 3 is Apple’s quiet ace. It doesn’t scream premium, but it doesn’t need to. It’s the kind of watch you can recommend to almost anyone – first-time buyers, parents buying for their kids, or even existing Apple Watch users who don’t need the extra frills. It gives you the essential Apple Watch experience without overcomplicating things, and in 2025, that might be the smartest choice of them all.
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Aman Rashid
Aman Rashid is the Senior Assistant Editor at Digit, where he leads the website along with the brand’s YouTube, social media, and overall video operations. He has been covering consumer technology for several years, with experience across news, reviews, and features. Outside of work, Aman is a sneaker enthusiast and an avid follower of WWE, Dragon Ball, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. View Full Profile
