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The Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch SE 3 are two of Apple’s top smartwatches, but they serve different users. Apple Watch Ultra 3 is Apple’s most rugged, adventure-ready smartwatch designed with a larger display, longer battery life, and advanced health and outdoor tracking tools. Apple Watch SE 3 is lighter, more affordable with essential fitness and safety features. This comparison will help you decide which one fits your lifestyle best.
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Processor:- Apple Watch Ultra 3 features the S10 SiP with a 64-bit dual-core processor and 4-core Neural Engine for faster performance and smoother app responsiveness.
- Apple Watch SE 3 uses the S10 SiP with a 64-bit dual-core processor but lacks the Neural Engine.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
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Dual Frequency GPS:- Apple Watch Ultra 3 supports precision dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5) that improves location accuracy in dense cities or remote areas.
- Apple Watch SE 3 has standard GPS.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
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Display:- Apple Watch Ultra 3 has a 49mm LTPO OLED display with 422×514 resolution and up to 3000 nits brightness for better visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- Apple Watch SE 3 has a smaller LTPO OLED display with up to 1000 nits brightness.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
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Dual Speaker System:- Apple Watch Ultra 3 includes a dual speaker setup for louder, clearer audio sound for improving call quality and Siri interactions or alerts.
- Apple Watch SE 3 has a single speaker.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
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Health Sensors:- Apple Watch Ultra 3 supports electrical heart sensor, Blood Oxygen app, temperature sensing, hypertension notifications, and sleep apnea detection for detailed health insights.
- Apple Watch SE 3 has a second-generation optical heart sensor for basic heart rate tracking.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
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Battery Life:- Apple Watch Ultra 3 has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 42 hours of normal use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode for extended trips.
- Apple Watch SE 3 has up to 18 hours of use and 32 hours in Low Power Mode.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
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Safety:- Apple Watch Ultra 3 supports Emergency SOS, Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS via satellite for remote rescue situations.
- Apple Watch SE 3 supports Emergency SOS, Fall Detection, and Crash Detection but lacks satellite SOS.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
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Microphone:- Apple Watch Ultra 3 comes with three-microphone array with wind noise reduction to improve voice clarity in outdoor environments.
- Apple Watch Series 10 has a Microphone with voice isolation.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
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Water & Depth Features:- Apple Watch Ultra 3 features 100m water resistance, EN13319 certification, depth gauge up to 40m, and water temperature sensor for scuba and water sports.
- Apple Watch SE 3 has 50m swim-proof water resistance without depth tracking.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
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Emergency Siren:- Apple Watch Ultra 3 features an 86-decibel siren that can attract attention in emergencies or help rescuers locate you.
- Apple Watch SE 3 does not include a siren.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
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Storage:- Apple Watch Ultra 3 has 64GB of internal storage to store more apps, music, and data.
- Apple Watch SE 3 has 32GB of storage.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 3 |
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Fitness Features:- Apple Watch Ultra 3 supports advanced training metrics, Waypoints, Backtrack, and expanded altimeter range for outdoor athletes.
- Apple Watch SE 3 has standard workout tracking without expedition features.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
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Durability:- Apple Watch Ultra 3 has MIL-STD 810H certification, IP6X dust resistance, and sapphire crystal display for extreme durability.
- Apple Watch SE 3 is not dust-resistant and uses Ion-X glass.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
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Connectivity:- Apple Watch Ultra 3 includes LTE, 5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, and Emergency SOS via satellite for enhanced connectivity and safety.
- Apple Watch SE 3 supports LTE and Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) but lacks satellite SOS and 5GHz Wi-Fi.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
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Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Apple Watch Ultra 3 | Apple Watch SE 3 |
|---|
| Case Size & Material | 49mm titanium case, sapphire crystal display | 44mm or 40mm aluminum case, Ion-X glass |
| Display | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED, up to 3000 nits brightness, 422×514 resolution | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED, up to 1000 nits brightness, 368×448 (44mm) |
| Processor & Chipset | S10 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor, W3 wireless chip, 4-core Neural Engine, second-gen Ultra Wideband | S10 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor, W3 wireless chip |
| Battery Life | Up to 42 hours, 72 hours in Low Power Mode | Up to 18 hours, 32 hours in Low Power Mode |
| Health Sensors | Electrical heart sensor, Blood Oxygen app, temperature sensor, sleep apnea notifications, hypertension notifications | Optical heart sensor only |
| GPS & Navigation | Precision dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5), Waypoints, Backtrack | Standard GPS (L1) |
| Water Resistance | 100m, depth gauge up to 40m, EN13319 certified, water temperature sensor | 50m water resistance |
| Speakers & Mic | Dual speakers, three-mic array with wind noise mitigation | Single speaker, standard mic |
| Connectivity | LTE + Satellite SOS, Wi-Fi (2.4GHz & 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.3 | LTE optional, Wi-Fi (2.4GHz), Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Durability | MIL-STD 810H tested, IP6X dust resistant, tougher sapphire crystal | Not MIL-STD tested, no dust resistance |
| Storage | 64GB | 32GB |
Who Should Buy What?Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 3 if you:- Need the brightest, largest display for outdoor readability.
- Want long battery life for travel, training, or adventures.
- Require advanced health tools like ECG, Blood Oxygen, and hypertension notifications.
- Do scuba diving, hiking, or outdoor sports that need depth gauge and dual-frequency GPS.
- Prefer a rugged titanium case and MIL-STD durability.
Check Apple Watch Ultra 3 Best Price Buy the Apple Watch SE 3 if you:- Want a budget-friendly Apple Watch with core fitness and safety features.
- Prefer a smaller, lighter watch for all-day casual wear.
- Do not need advanced sensors like ECG or Blood Oxygen.
- Use your watch mostly for notifications, calls, and basic activity tracking.
- Want the most affordable entry point into the Apple Watch lineup.
Check Apple Watch SE 3 Best Price |
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|
| Processor | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
| Display | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
| Battery | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
| Microphone & Speakers | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
| Health Sensors | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
| Water & Depth Features | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
| GPS | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
| Connectivity | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
| Durability | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
| Materials | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
| Safety | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
What They Have in Common
- Display Technology: Both Apple Watch SE 3 and Ultra 3 use Retina LTPO OLED displays, ensuring sharp text, vibrant colors, and smooth animations that improve readability and user experience.
- watchOS 11 Support: Each model runs the latest watchOS 11 software, giving users access to the same interface, fitness features, and app ecosystem for a consistent experience across devices.
- Health Tracking: Both include key health features such as heart rate monitoring, irregular rhythm notifications, and sleep tracking, which help users maintain and monitor their wellness daily.
- Fitness Tracking: Each watch supports activity rings, GPS-based workout tracking, and a wide range of exercise modes, making them great companions for active lifestyles.
FAQ (Quick Answers)
Does Apple Watch Ultra 3 have a bigger display than Apple Watch SE 3?
Yes, Apple Watch Ultra 3 has a 49mm display with 422×514 resolution and up to 3000 nits brightness, while Apple Watch SE 3 has a smaller 44mm or 40mm display with up to 1000 nits brightness.
Is the battery life better on Apple Watch Ultra 3?
Yes, Apple Watch Ultra 3 lasts up to 42 hours on normal use and 72 hours in Low Power Mode, compared to Apple Watch SE 3 which lasts up to 18 hours with 32 hours in Low Power Mode.
Does Apple Watch Ultra 3 support Blood Oxygen and ECG apps?
Yes, Apple Watch Ultra 3 includes Blood Oxygen and ECG apps for advanced health monitoring, while Apple Watch SE 3 does not support these features.
Can Apple Watch Ultra 3 be used for scuba diving?
Yes, Apple Watch Ultra 3 is EN13319 certified and has a depth gauge up to 40m with a water temperature sensor, making it suitable for scuba diving and high-speed water sports.
Does Apple Watch SE 3 support dual-frequency GPS?
No, Apple Watch SE 3 has standard GPS, while Apple Watch Ultra 3 supports precision dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) for more accurate navigation.
Which watch is more durable for outdoor activities?
Apple Watch Ultra 3 is MIL-STD 810H tested, IP6X dust resistant, and built with titanium and sapphire crystal, making it far more rugged than Apple Watch SE 3’s aluminum case with Ion-X glass.
Do both watches support Emergency SOS and Fall Detection?
Yes, both watches support Emergency SOS, Fall Detection, and Crash Detection, but Apple Watch Ultra 3 adds Emergency SOS via satellite for remote areas.
Is there a storage difference between the two watches?
Yes, Apple Watch Ultra 3 has 64GB of storage for apps, music, and data, while Apple Watch SE 3 has 32GB storage.
Do both watches have the same processor?
Both watches use the S10 SiP, but Apple Watch Ultra 3 also has a 4-core Neural Engine and second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for faster performance and Precision Finding.
Which watch is better for serious athletes and adventurers?
Apple Watch Ultra 3 is better suited for athletes and adventurers due to its longer battery life, dual-frequency GPS, depth tracking, advanced health sensors, and rugged design.