Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 in One Review

The cheapest model makes the biggest leap.

Apple's watches now warn of high blood pressure, praise good sleep, and connect via 5G.

                             

Google is changing its logo. Apple has long since overtaken the Swiss watch industry. The US company's smartwatches sell many times more units than traditional watch manufacturers like Rolex and Swatch. According to market researchers at Counterpoint Research, Apple has earned a total of $100 billion from its wrist computers since the spectacular launch of the first model in 2014. But that's not enough for the company. It aims to consolidate its leading position in the market through satellite communications, blood pressure monitoring, and the introduction of three new models.

On the one hand, there is the robust and expensive outdoor smartwatch Ultra 3, which, at prices starting at € 899, always features a titanium case and a cellular modem, and now also includes a rudimentary satellite connection.

Apple has long since overtaken the Swiss watch industry. The US company's smartwatches sell many times more units than traditional watch manufacturers like Rolex and Swatch. According to market researchers at Counterpoint Research, Apple has earned a total of $100 billion from its wrist computers since the spectacular launch of the first model in 2014. But that's not enough for the company. It aims to consolidate its leading position in the market through satellite communications, blood pressure monitoring, and the introduction of three new models.

On the one hand, there is the robust and expensive outdoor smartwatch Ultra 3, which, at prices starting at € 899, always features a titanium case and a cellular modem, and now also includes a rudimentary satellite connection for the First Time in 10 Years.

Around of 5G for everyone

Ultimately, the S10 is, above all, a great equalizer. Because it's included in all three current models, even the most affordable Apple Watch model offers many of the features found in the most expensive Models. For example, all models can now connect online with 5G technology, some for an additional charge. The cellular module costs an additional €50 to €120, depending on the model; it's always included with the Apple Watch 11 in titanium and the Ultra 3. According to Apple, 5G will provide the watches with faster connections and increased data throughput, for example, allowing you to stream music or podcasts on the go or download them directly to your watch.

A number for sleep quality

One might wonder why it took so long, but Apple Watches now rate sleep quality with a Sleep Score. Apple was already late to the game when it introduced rudimentary sleep tracking features with watchOS 7 in 2020. Only later did Apple Watches learn to distinguish between sleep phases, and since the Series 8, they have had a temperature sensor. However, the various measurements were previously only presented as individual values. Interpretation was left to the users, while Fitbit and Withings, for example, have long provided index values ​​that rate sleep quality as good or poor.

Now Apple is finally offering such quickly comprehensible information. The index is calculated based on sleep duration, frequency of interruptions, and regularity of sleep. So, if an adult sleeps the recommended eight hours, always goes to bed at the same time, and is undisturbed during sleep, they have a good chance of receiving top marks.

A little blood pressure for almost everyone

There had long been speculation that Apple would integrate a blood pressure measurement method into its smartwatches. Now it's finally here, but not as expected. The watch doesn't become a blood pressure monitor, but rather a health advisor. It doesn't provide blood pressure readings, but at best, or rather at worst, a warning if it detects that blood pressure readings deviate from the normal range.

To do this, it uses its pulse sensor to measure how the blood vessels react to heartbeats. The algorithm underlying the system analyses data from at least 14 days within a 30-day period. It issues a warning if it detects patterns in the behaviour of the blood vessels that indicate hypertension, or high blood pressure. 

The Ultra 3 radios into orbit

The new Ultra 3 has the "largest Apple Watch display," Apple claims, and they're right. However, the difference is barely noticeable when you place an Ultra 2 next to it. The display only got larger because the bezel around it is now narrower. This allowed the resolution to be increased from 410 × 502 pixels to 422 × 514 pixels. This doesn't make a noticeable difference in everyday use..

                                

Perhaps more importantly, the display is now easier to read when viewed from oblique angles thanks to the so-called LTPO3 OLED technology. In practice, however, I could hardly detect any visible differences compared to the Ultra 2's display. Good is the enemy of good, and the Ultra 2's screen is already pretty damn good, with a brightness of up to 3000 nits and an LTPO2 OLED display.

One innovation that makes sense for an outdoor smartwatch is that the Ultra 3 can now also establish contact with the outside world via satellite, even when a cellular network is unavailable. Apple's smartphones have been able to do this for years and have often proven lifesaving during this time. The Ultra 3 can now also take on this role, for example, by sending an emergency message or transmitting your location to emergency services or friends. The interesting thing is that no additional radio module was required for this. Instead, the developers reprogrammed the cellular module so that it can also establish contact with satellites.

Apple Watch 11 facelift

Unlike the SE 3, the Watch 11's new features are modest compared to its predecessor. If you subtract the updates added to the Apple Watch 10 via the watchOS 26 update, the most crucial selling points for the new model are 5G wireless connectivity and the battery life, which has been extended by a substantial six hours from 18 to 24 hours, as well as the improved Ion-X glass cover. It's the same as with the SE3. The fact that the Watch 11 also supports a new twist gesture that lets you dismiss notifications by turning your wrist is nice, but it's no reason to buy it.

                                        

Conclusion

The SE 3 is the best-selling model in Apple's current smartwatch lineup. Starting at €269, it offers all the essential features except for blood pressure notifications and ECG measurements. It has the same chip as the other models, a highly scratch-resistant cover, and can stay online without a phone for just €50 extra. And with 64 gigabytes of storage, it offers ample space for music, podcasts, and apps. Apple has never offered a better deal for smartwatch beginners.

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