Which Apple Watch Should You Buy In 2025? I Recommend These Models To Different Users

The Apple Watch SE 3 (left), Apple Watch Ultra 3 (middle), Apple Watch Series 11 (right).

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Apple released three caller smartwatches this month, and while they whitethorn look similar, their differences are stark. I've tested each 3 to get a consciousness of which watches activity champion for different people. 

I've moreover included 1 Apple Watch exemplary from 2024 that, acknowledgment to immoderate retroactive updates done WatchOS 26, is simply a worthy contender for acquisition this year. Here's nan breakdown.

1. Who should bargain nan Apple Watch SE 3?

Nina Raemont/ZDNET

The Apple Watch SE 3 is an entry-level smartwatch built for beginners. They whitethorn beryllium unsure whether they'll really usage a smartwatch time successful and time retired and don't want to splurge connected a pricier exemplary conscionable yet. 

The instrumentality still packs galore upgrades and, contempt its affordable price, comes pinch galore of nan upgrades that nan different watches successful nan lineup include. In galore ways, nan SE 3 takes nan specs of past year's Series 10 and implements them successful this affordable smartwatch -- an 18-hour artillery life, Sleep Apnea Detection, and its latest chip, nan S10. 

Also: I compared each Apple Watch successful 2025 - here's why I urge this exemplary nan most

The surface is nan smallest retired of nan lineup, and communicating done matter tin beryllium annoying pinch only a letter-drawing characteristic aliases speak-to-text available. 

Best features

• 18-hour artillery life
• Sleep Apnea Detection 
• Sleep Scores
• Apple's latest S10 chip

What Apple Watch SE 3 doesn't have 

• Hypertension Detection, humor oxygen monitoring, ECG  
• The Series 11's 24-hour artillery life 
• The brightest show (only 1,000 nits)

Who is nan Apple Watch SE 3 champion for?

First-time smartwatch users, kids and teens, budget-conscious shoppers, group who want to show slumber and activity (but not show much precocious metrics for illustration hypertension, humor oxygen, aliases by-the-minute bosom complaint data). 

2. Who should bargain nan Apple Watch Series 11?

Nina Raemont/ZDNET

Apple's flagship smartwatch has nan second-longest artillery life retired of nan lineup (and it's $400 little than nan Ultra 3 pinch nan longest artillery life). I spot nan Series 11 arsenic nan Apple Watch that powerfulness users pinch older models would upgrade to.  

As personification pinch a smaller wrist, nan Series 11 and SE 3 are cleanable sizes for my wrist, while nan Ultra 3 took up excessively overmuch aboveground area and weighed my limb down. For this reason, I'd urge nan Series 11 complete nan Ultra 3 to women. 

Also: I tested nan Apple Watch Series 11 for a week - here's my buying proposal now

Compared to its Series 10 predecessor, location isn't overmuch of a difference, too nan 24-hour artillery life and durable display. But software-wise, everything is practically nan same. 

Best features

• 24-hour artillery life
• Hypertension Detection  
• More durable display 
• Sleep Scores

What Apple Watch Series 11 doesn't have 

• The Ultra 3's Emergency SOS via Satellite 
• The Ultra 3's 3,000 nits display 

Who is nan Apple Watch Series 11 champion for? 

Owners of Apple Watch Series 8 aliases earlier seeking an upgrade, group who want to regularly way each aspects of their health, group who will deterioration nan watch nonstop -- some during nan time and to way their slumber astatine night. 

3. Who should bargain nan Apple Watch Ultra 3

Nina Raemont/ZDNET

Apple's astir costly and feature-rich smartwatch has nan largest screen, nan longest artillery life, each wellness feature, awesome durability, and off-grid functionalities, for illustration Emergency SOS via outer for outdoor enthusiasts. 

Best features

• 42-hour artillery life 
• Satellite connectivity
• Hypertension Detection
• Largest screen 
• Sleep Scores 

What nan Apple Watch Ultra 3 doesn't have 

• A bladed build (sleeping pinch nan instrumentality is simply a pain) 
• An affordable value (it costs $799) 

Who is nan Apple Watch Ultra 3 champion for?

Outdoor enthusiasts and off-grid hikers, group who want a ample watch display, group who tin spend a $799 watch, and group who want each of Apple Watch's best, newest, and precocious features. 

4. Who should bargain nan Apple Watch Series 10?

Nina Raemont/ZDNET

You mightiness beryllium scratching your caput reference this. Wasn't nan Series 10 unveiled past year? Yes. But I'd reason it's a worthy bargain this twelvemonth for deal-grabbing Apple Watch customers. Thanks to immoderate of nan retroactive upgrades coming to earlier smartwatch models, including nan Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2, you tin get overmuch of nan aforesaid package connected a cheaper Apple Watch. 

Also: Should you upgrade to Apple Watch Series 11? Here's really it compares to older models

You won't get nan Series 11's 24-hour artillery life, but if you don't mind charging your watch up of bedtime sleep-tracking, this astir apt won't beryllium an issue. 

Best features

• Hypertension Detection
• Sleep Scores 
• WatchOS 26 (available connected nan caller watches)
• Same build and thinness arsenic Series 11 

What Apple Watch Series 10 doesn't have 

• Watch Series 11's 24-hour artillery life
• A much durable display 

Who is nan Apple Watch Series 10 champion for? 

Smartwatch shoppers connected a budget, group who don't attraction astir nan latest lineup, group who will deterioration their watch during nan time and occasionally slumber track, group who are connected apical of charging their instrumentality if they want continual usage (because nan watch only lasts 18 hours).