Update: We last updated this article on October 3, 2025 with Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3 and Ultra 3
Have you recently purchased a new iPhone and now desire a fancy timepiece to accompany it? Well, purchasing an Apple Watch is the next step to complete your Apple ecosystem. However, with so many Apple Watches to choose from, it’s easy to get confused. There’s the affordable SE 3, the mid-range Series 11, and the ultimate and expensive Ultra 3. It’s natural to wonder, “Which is the best Apple Watch for me?”. We tried and tested all Apple Watches in our studio to help you figure out an Apple Watch is best for your unique use case.
Table of Contents
Best Overall Apple Watch: Series 11
- isplay: Always-On Retina LTPO3, up to 2,000 nits, 46 mm or 42 mm
- Processor: S10 SiP
- Battery Life: Up to 24 hours (up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode)
- Water Resistance: Swimproof (50m, ISO 22810:2010)
- Health Features: ECG, High/Low Heart Rate Notifications, Irregular Rhythm Notifications, Low Cardio Fitness Notifications, Sleep Apnea Notifications, Hypertension Notifications, Sleep Score
- Connectivity: GPS, Cellular (optional, including 5G)
- Case Materials: Aluminum, Titanium
- Size: 42 mm, 46 mm
- Price (Starting): $399 / ₹46,900
Why We Recommend It
The Apple Series 11 improves upon its predecessor with several new upgrades. For statrers, there’s a new Ion-X glass that is 2 times more scratch resistant. And in terms of health features, you get a sleep score for detailed insights apart from a new Workout buddy for those workout motivations. It is the first Apple Watch that can measure your blood pressure and pulse. With 5G connectivity, you can use the watch even when you are not connected to your iPhone. Series 11 also lasts longer than before delivering 24 hours of battery life and 8 hours of backup with just 15 minutes of charging.
Who Should Buy It
The Watch Series 11 is a great for those upgrading from an older Apple Watch. If you have Series 8 or older model, the bezeless screen, S10 chip and all day battery life will be a significant leap. Furthermore, health features like blood pressure monitoring, ECG and Hypertension notification. it is an easy recommendation for those looking for their first Apple Watch or an upgrade from their older model.
Who Shouldn’t Buy It
Series 11 is an iterative upgrade over its predecessor.The fact that most features like Sleep Score and Hypertensions are coming to older Apple Watches. Moreover, you get the same core experience with the new Apple Watch SE 3 except for the ECG and blood oxygen monitoring.
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to skip |
|---|---|
| ✅ All day battery life | ❌ Titanium variant is significantly more expensive |
| ✅ Most comprehensive health sensor suite, including ECG, SpO2, and Hypertension Notifications. | ❌ No major hardware changes over Series 10 |
| ✅ 2 times more scratch resistant | |
| ✅ Fastest charging Apple watch | |
| ✅5G Support |
Best Apple Watch for Outdoor Adventures: Ultra 3
- Display: Always-On Retina LTPO3, up to 3,000 nits, 49 mm
- Processor: S10 SiP
- Battery Life: Up to 42 hours (up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode)
- Water Resistance: WR100 (100 m) + EN13319 certified for diving
- Health Features: ECG, Blood Oxygen, Heart Rate Notifications, Irregular Rhythm Notifications, Low Cardio Fitness, Sleep Apnea Notifications, Hypertension Notifications, Sleep Score
- Connectivity: GPS, Cellular (5G, with two-way satellite SOS)
- Case Materials: Titanium
- Size: 49 mm
- Price (Starting): $799 / ₹89,900
Why We Recommend It:
The Ultra 3 boasts the biggest display on a Apple Watch till date. It has a new LTPO3 display that offers peak brightness up to 3000 nits and can go as ability to go as low as 1Hz to conserve battery life.This means you can finally set proper live ticking watch faces with a seconds hand for the first time on a Apple Watch. Also like the rest of the Series, it’s powered by the S10 chip. It also borrows two features from the iPhone: satellite connectivity and Emergency SOS via satellite apart from 5G connectivity. Justifying the Ultra moniker, you get 100m water resistance, MIL-STD toughness and a really loud siren that can awaken your entire neighbourhood. Last but not least, it can last 42 hous on a single charge and has the most accurate GPS on a Apple Watch.
Who Should Buy It:
The Watch Ultra 3 is made for fitness enthusiasts, athletes, trekkers and those who want the ultimate Apple Watch experience. The addition of satellite connectivity has made it an easy recommendation for adventure and exploration. If you love travelling a lot or exploring remote areas, these features make it a great choice for those unseen trails. Its specialized workout features, like Race Route and Pacer, combined with its robust hardware, make it a serious training partner.
Who Shouldn’t Buy It:
Given its premium price tag, the Ultra 3 isn’t made for the average Joe. The onboard diving computer and satellite connectivity is an overkill for most users. Furthermore, the 49mm case can be uncomfortable for those with smaller wrists. If you want a regular smartwatch, you are better off with a Series 11 or last year’s Ultra 2.
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to skip |
|---|---|
| ✅ Biggest display on a Apple Watch | ❌ Only available in 49mm size |
| ✅ Satelite connectivity and emergency SOS | ❌ Premium price tag |
| ✅ 42 hours of battery backup | |
| ✅ Titanium case, Sapphire Crystal and MIL STD 810H | |
| ✅ Action Button, Siren and dual channel GPS |
Best Affordable Apple Watch: SE 3
- Display: Always-On Retina, up to 1,000 nits, 44 mm or 40 mm
- Processor: S10 SiP
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours (up to 30 hours in Low Power Mode)
- Water Resistance: Swimproof (50 m)
- Health Features: High/Low Heart Rate Notifications, Irregular Rhythm Notifications, Crash Detection, Fall Detection, Sleep Score, Sleep Apnea Notifications, Cycle Tracking with Temperature Sensing
- Connectivity: GPS, Cellular (optional, including 5G)
- Case Materials: Aluminum
- Size: 40 mm, 44 mm
- Price (Starting): $249 / ₹25,900
Why We Recommend It:
The Apple Watch SE 3 uses the S10 chipset, the same as the Series 11 and Ultra 3. And for the first time, you get Always on display on the SE series and the display is also pretty bright at 1000 nits. While you don’t get advanced ECG or blood oxygen sensor, there’s a onboard temperature sensor for detailed stats.Oh, and there’s 5G connectivity in the cellular model and a new cover screen that is 4 times more resistant to cracks. Even after getting AOD, the SE 3 claims to offer 18 hours of battery backup and can be charged 2 times faster.
Who Should Buy It:
The SE 3 is the perfect entry level offering for those on a strict budget or those looking to buy their first Apple Watch. You get the complete Apple Watch experience with AOD support a without any major compromises. It’s a great addon to your Apple ecosystem and thanks to its affordable pricing, you can even gift it to your kids or relatives who don’t own an iPhone. Even older Apple Watch users relying on Series 5 or older can upgrade to the SE 3
Who Shouldn’t Buy It:
IIf features like satellite connectivity, blood oxygen, ECG and SpO2 are important to you, skip the SE 3. In that case, opting for the Series 11 will be a much better bet. The 18 hours of battery life isn’t the best if you are into workouts or long distance runs.
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to skip |
|---|---|
| ✅ Always on display support | ❌ Only available in aluminium casing |
| ✅ Same S10 chip as Series 11 | ❌ No ECG and blood oxygen monitoring |
| ✅ 5G connectivity and durable glass build | ❌ No UWB chipset for tracking |
| ✅ 18 hours of battery and faster charging |
Best Apple Watch for Children: Apple Watch SE 2 (GPS+Cellular)
- Display: Retina, up to 1000 nits, 44mm or 40mm
- Processor: S8 SiP
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
- Water Resistance: Swimproof (50m)
- Health Features: High/Low Heart Rate Notifications, Irregular Rhythm Notifications, Low Cardio Fitness Notifications
- Connectivity: GPS, Cellular (optional)
- Case Materials: Aluminum
- Price (Starting): $169/₹24,900
Why We Recommend It:
If you are looking to get your kid an Apple Watch, the SE 2 is the best entry-level model you can buy right now. It serves as an affordable entry point into Apple’s coveted ecosystem, offering all the essential features. This is important since kids can be finicky, and they can often misplace or throw away stuff. Being a parent, you wouldn’t want your kid to throw away an Ultra 2 or Series 10 in a ditch somewhere. Would you? With cellular connectivity, you can talk to your kids even if they don’t have their phones nearby own don’t carry one yet. Moreover, there’s a family setup so your kid can use an Apple Watch even if they have an Android phone and you can set their contacts, usage limits, and track their location.
Who Should Buy It:
The SE 2 is best suited for parents looking for a practical, affordable smartwatch for their children or teens. It’s ideal for kids who want activity tracking, fitness goals, and a way to stay in touch with family without carrying a phone. With Family Setup, it doubles as a safe and controlled communication device, while still letting kids enjoy fun features like closing Activity Rings, tracking workouts, and controlling music. It’s also a good fit for teens who want notifications and Apple Watch basics without needing advanced health sensors.
Who Shouldn’t Buy It
Adults or older teens who want advanced health tracking will miss features like ECG, blood-oxygen monitoring, and wrist-temperature sensing, which are available on higher-end models. The SE 2 also lacks an Always-On display, which makes it feel less premium compared to newer Apple Watches. Battery life is still about 18 hours, so kids will need to charge it daily, which can be a hassle. Finally, if budget isn’t as much of a concern, the newer SE 3 offers faster performance and extra features, making it a better long-term choice.
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to skip |
|---|---|
| ✅ Cheapest newest Apple Watch available | ❌ S8 SIP isn’t the latest |
| ✅ All the safety features like Fall Detection and Crash Detection | ❌ Lacks support for ECG, Sleep Apnea detection, and blood oxygen monitoring |
| ✅ Same 18 hours of battery life as Series 10 | ❌ No Always On display and double tap gesture |
| ✅ IP Rating for water resistance | ❌ Slower charging compared to Seriers 10 |
Best Apple Watch on Sale: Series 10
- Display: Always-on Retina, up to 2000 nits, 46mm or 42mm
- Processor: S10 SiP
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours (up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode)
- Water Resistance: Swimproof
- Health Features: ECG, High/Low Heart Rate Notifications, Irregular Rhythm Notifications, Low Cardio Fitness Notifications, Sleep Apnea Notifications
- Connectivity: GPS, Cellular (optional)
- Case Materials: Aluminum, Titanium
- Size: 42mm, 46mm
- Price (Starting): $329/₹46,900
Why We Recommend It:
The Series 10 is the best Apple Watch to buy on discount because it delivers flagship-level features at a reduced price. It brought a thinner, lighter body that’s about 10% slimmer than earlier models, paired with a much larger and brighter display. It also added new sensors for depth and water temperature, along with sleep apnea detection, making it a big step up for health and fitness tracking. Fast charging (up to 80% in around half an hour) helps reduce downtime, and when retailers cut the price, the Series 10 becomes one of the most compelling deals in Apple’s lineup.
Who Should Buy It:
The Series 10 is a great option for those who can’t afford the Series 11 or find the SE 3 limiting. If you’re upgrading from an older generation like the Series 7 or 8, you’ll notice a major improvement in screen size, design, and overall performance. It’s also perfect for value-seekers who want a stylish, modern smartwatch that can handle health, fitness, and daily use without stepping up to the more expensive Series 11 or Ultra models. For those watching for sales, the Series 10 is the sweet spot between affordability and advanced functionality.
Who Shouldn’t Buy It:
If you want the latest features such as, ECG or blood oxygen monitoring, the Series 11 isn’t for you. The battery life is average at just 18 hours which is the same as the SE 3 meaning you will need to charge it daily. Furthermore, people who spend a lot of time outdoors might find the Ultra more lucrative due to its rugged design. And given the drastic improvements in SE 3, the Series 10 is a hard pass unless you can grab it at a huge discount.
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to skip |
|---|---|
| ✅ S10 SiP chip offers great performance | ❌ Same 18 hours of battery life as SE 3 |
| ✅ Support for sleep apnea detection | ❌ Minor upgrades over Series 9 |
| ✅ Thinner and lighter than Series 9 | |
| ✅ Fast charging support |
Apple Watch Specifications Comparison Table
| Feature | Series 11 | SE (3rd Gen) | Ultra 3 | SE (2nd Gen) | Series 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | Always-On Retina LTPO3, up to 2000 nits, 42/46 mm | Always-On Retina, up to 1000 nits, 40/44 mm | Always-On Retina LTPO3, up to 3000 nits, 49 mm | Retina (no Always-On), up to 1000 nits, 40/44 mm | Always-On Retina LTPO, up to 2000 nits, 41/45 mm |
| Processor | S10 SiP | S10 SiP | S10 SiP | S8 SiP | S10 SiP |
| Battery Life | Up to 24h (38h Low Power) | Up to 18h (30h Low Power) | Up to 42h (72h Low Power) | Up to 18h | Up to 18h (36h Low Power) |
| Water Resistance | Swimproof (50 m) | Swimproof (50 m) | WR100 (100 m) + EN13319 dive certified | Swimproof (50 m) | Swimproof (50 m) |
| Health Features | ECG, Blood Oxygen, HR alerts, Irregular Rhythm, Low Cardio Fitness, Sleep Apnea, Hypertension Notifications, Sleep Score | HR alerts, Irregular Rhythm, Crash Detection, Fall Detection, Sleep Score, Sleep Apnea, Cycle Tracking with Temp Sensing | ECG, Blood Oxygen, HR alerts, Irregular Rhythm, Low Cardio Fitness, Sleep Apnea, Hypertension Notifications, Sleep Score | HR alerts, Irregular Rhythm, Fall Detection, Crash Detection | ECG, Blood Oxygen, HR alerts, Irregular Rhythm, Low Cardio Fitness, Sleep Apnea |
| Connectivity | GPS, Cellular (5G optional) | GPS, Cellular (5G optional) | GPS, Cellular (5G + Satellite SOS) | GPS, Cellular (optional) | GPS, Cellular (optional) |
| Case Materials | Aluminum, Titanium | Aluminum | Titanium | Aluminum | Aluminum, Titanium |
| Sizes | 42 mm, 46 mm | 40 mm, 44 mm | 49 mm | 40 mm, 44 mm | 41 mm, 45 mm |
| Price (Starting) | $399 / ₹46,900 | $249 / ₹25,900 | $799 / ₹89,900 | $249 / ₹29,900 | $399 / ₹46,900 |
