Apple Watch Series 3 vs Series 6 – Which Should You Buy?

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Apple Watch Series 6 & Series 3 have some important differences, both models are popular for their health tracking, smart features, and daily utility. The Apple Watch Series 6 is a more advanced model with newer sensors, a brighter always-on display, and better connectivity. The Series 3 is more affordable and still provides core fitness tracking. Let’s explore their differences and similarities to find your perfect fit!

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Processor:

Apple Watch Series 6 features the S6 SiP dual-core processor that enables faster app performance and smoother animations.
Apple Watch Series 3 uses the older S3 chip, which is slower and lacks support for modern features.

Winner:

Apple Watch Series 6

Display:

Apple Watch Series 6 includes an Always-On Retina OLED 1.9 inch display that maintains high visibility in all lighting conditions.
Apple Watch Series 3 has a standard 1.6 inch Retina OLED display.

Winner:

Apple Watch Series 6

Brightness:

Apple Watch Series 6 supports up to 1000 nits of brightness that improves visibility in direct sunlight.
Apple Watch Series 3 reaches up to 1000 nits, which is still usable outdoors but less vibrant.

Winner:

Tie

Operating System:

Apple Watch Series 6 supports watchOS 10 and future updates that ensure long-term software compatibility.
Apple Watch Series 3 supports up to watchOS 8 and no longer receives updates.

Winner:

Apple Watch Series 6

Voice Assistant:

Apple Watch Series 6 supports on-device Siri that processes commands quickly without internet connection.
Apple Watch Series 3 requires an internet connection for Siri to function.

Winner:

Apple Watch Series 6

Connectivity:

Apple Watch Series 6 supports Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands for better wireless performance.
Apple Watch Series 3 uses Bluetooth 4.2 and older Wi-Fi standards.

Winner:

Apple Watch Series 6

Health Features:

Apple Watch Series 6 includes ECG, Blood Oxygen, and high/low heart rate notifications to support advanced fitness tracking.
Apple Watch Series 3 provides basic activity and heart rate tracking.

Winner:

Apple Watch Series 6

Speaker & Microphone:

Apple Watch Series 6 includes enhanced microphone and speaker that improve call and Siri clarity.
Apple Watch Series 3 has a basic microphone and speaker setup.

Winner:

Apple Watch Series 6

Internal Storage:

Apple Watch Series 6 includes 32GB of internal storage that enables music downloads, app installs, and podcasts without your phone.
Apple Watch Series 3 comes with 8GB of storage.

Winner:

Apple Watch Series 6

Charging:

Apple Watch Series 6 comes with a magnetic charging cable that charges the watch in under 2.5 hours.
Apple Watch Series 3 uses a similar magnetic charger but may take slightly longer to reach full charge.

Winner:

Apple Watch Series 6

Battery Life:

The Apple Watch Series 6 offers 18-hour battery life that supports all-day use with advanced features enabled.
Apple Watch Series 3 comes with up to 16 hours of battery life.

Winner:

Apple Watch Series 6

Resolution:

Apple Watch Series 6 includes a 368 x 484 resolution that delivers sharper text and app visuals.
Apple Watch Series 3 has a resolution of 312 x 390 pixels.

Winner:

Apple Watch Series 6

Check Apple Watch Series 6 Best Price
Check Apple Watch Series 3 Best Price

Specs at a Glance

Feature	Apple Watch Series 6	Apple Watch Series 3
Display Type	Always-On Retina OLED	Retina OLED
Display Brightness	Up to 1000 nits	Up to 1000 nits
Resolution	368 x 448	312 x 390
Processor	S6 SiP (64-bit dual-core)	S3 SiP (dual-core)
Chip Efficiency	Up to 20% faster than Series 5	Base performance for basic apps
Storage	32GB internal storage	8GB internal storage
RAM	1GB	768MB
Battery Life	Up to 18 hours	Up to 16 hours
Charging	Standard Magnetic + USB-A cable	Standard Magnetic + USB-A cable
Fast Charging	No	No
Water Resistance	Up to 50 meters	Up to 50 meters
LTE + Cellular	Yes	No
Blood Oxygen Sensor	Yes	No
ECG	Yes	No
Fall Detection	Yes	No
Crash Detection	No	No
Compass	Yes	No
Always-On Altimeter	Yes	No
UWB (Ultra Wideband)	Yes (U1 chip)	No
On-Device Siri	Yes	No

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Apple Watch Series 6 if you:

Want a more powerful processor for smooth app performance and better multitasking.
Need advanced health tools like ECG and Blood Oxygen monitoring.
Prefer the always-on display for convenient time and activity visibility.
Use LTE to make calls and stream music without your iPhone nearby.
Want more storage for apps, podcasts, and music on the watch itself.

Check Apple Watch Series 6 Best Price

Buy the Apple Watch Series 3 if you:

Want a basic Apple Watch experience at the lowest entry-level price.
Only need step tracking, heart rate monitoring, and workout logging.
Are okay with a smaller display and older design.
Plan to use the watch with your iPhone nearby at all times.
Don’t need ECG, cellular, or advanced fitness metrics.

Check Apple Watch Series 3 Best Price

Winner by Category

Category	Winner
Processor	Apple Watch Series 6
Display	Apple Watch Series 6
Display Size	Apple Watch Series 6
Higher Resolution	Apple Watch Series 6
Display Brightness	Apple Watch Series 6
Dual Speaker System	Apple Watch Series 6
Internal Storage	Apple Watch Series 6
Wi-Fi	Apple Watch Series 6
Health & Fitness Features	Apple Watch Series 6
UWB	Apple Watch Series 6
On-Device Siri	Apple Watch Series 6
Microphone	Apple Watch Series 6
LTE Connectivity	Apple Watch Series 6
Rugged Case Option	Apple Watch Series 6
Design	Apple Watch Series 6

FAQ

Does the Apple Watch Series 6 support the latest watchOS updates?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 6 supports watchOS 10 and is expected to receive updates for at least another year, offering compatibility with the latest apps and features.

Can the Apple Watch Series 3 still be used in 2025?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 3 can still be used in 2025, but it no longer supports watchOS updates beyond version 8 and may not be compatible with newer apps or features.

Is the Apple Watch Series 6 suitable for fitness tracking?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 6 includes advanced fitness features such as ECG, Blood Oxygen monitoring, high/low heart rate alerts, and an always-on altimeter for real-time elevation tracking.

Does the Apple Watch Series 3 include cellular connectivity?
No, the Apple Watch Series 3 in the GPS-only configuration does not support cellular connectivity and must stay connected to an iPhone for most features.

Is there a significant difference in display quality between Series 6 and Series 3?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 6 features a larger, always-on Retina OLED display with higher resolution, making it easier to read text and view apps compared to the Series 3’s smaller, non-always-on screen.

How much storage do the two watches offer?
The Apple Watch Series 6 includes 32GB of storage for apps, music, and media, while the Series 3 provides only 8GB, which may fill up quickly with updates and apps.

Can both watches be used for swimming?
Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 6 and Series 3 are water resistant up to 50 meters and suitable for swimming and shallow-water activities.

Is there a performance difference in daily use?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 6 uses the newer S6 processor that loads apps faster and handles multitasking better than the older S3 processor in the Series 3.

Does the Apple Watch Series 6 include Siri on-device?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 6 supports on-device Siri processing, allowing faster responses without needing an internet connection for basic commands.

Which model is better for long-term use?
The Apple Watch Series 6 is better for long-term use due to its newer hardware, continued software support, advanced health features, and stronger performance across all categories.

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