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Head-to-head

Apple - Watch SE (2nd gen) vs Apple - Watch SE 3

Last updated · How Mars Score works
Watch SE (2nd gen)APPLERENDER
Probe A
Apple
Watch SE (2nd gen)
56.1/ 100D
Health & Fitness· 32%
Battery & Connectivity36· 30%
Display78· 22%
Design· 16%
Watch SE 3APPLERENDER
Probe B
Apple
Watch SE 3
56.1/ 100D
Health & Fitness· 32%
Battery & Connectivity36· 30%
Display78· 22%
Design· 16%
Quick verdict

Between the Watch SE (2nd gen) and Watch SE 3, the Watch SE (2nd gen) comes out ahead in several specs, while the Watch SE 3 wins on several specs. Overall, the Watch SE (2nd gen) scores 56.1 and the Watch SE 3 scores 56.1 on our Mars Score.

Buying advice

Which should you buy?

These two are evenly matched on the broad strokes, with the decision sitting on which individual spec advantages weigh more for your use.

The Watch SE (2nd gen) doesn't pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec table groups rather than the headline advantages.

The Watch SE 3 similarly doesn't carry a headline advantage on the popular specs — look at the full table for category-specific deltas.

Both ship with comparable battery life, ecg, display size, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.

Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity tells you both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.

Why Apple - Watch SE (2nd gen) wins

  • No decisive advantages.

Why Apple - Watch SE 3 wins

  • No decisive advantages.
Full readout

Spec comparison

Design

SpecApple - Watch SE (2nd gen)Apple - Watch SE 3
Case size44 mm44 mm
Weight33 g33 g
Case materialaluminumaluminum
Water resistance5 ATM5 ATM

Display

SpecApple - Watch SE (2nd gen)Apple - Watch SE 3
Display size1.78 "1.78 "
Always-on displayfalsefalse
Peak brightness1000 nits1000 nits

Health & Fitness

SpecApple - Watch SE (2nd gen)Apple - Watch SE 3
ECGfalsefalse
SpO2falsefalse
Temperature sensorfalsefalse
Sleep trackingtruetrue
Blood pressurefalsefalse

Battery & Connectivity

SpecApple - Watch SE (2nd gen)Apple - Watch SE 3
Battery life18 h18 h
GPStruetrue
Cellulartruetrue
NFCtruetrue
OSwatchOSwatchOS
Reader questions

Frequently asked

Which has longer battery life, Watch SE (2nd gen) or Watch SE 3?+

Watch SE 3 lasts 18h vs 18h.

Do Watch SE (2nd gen) or Watch SE 3 support ECG?+

Neither supports ECG.

Which has cellular, Watch SE (2nd gen) or Watch SE 3?+

Both offer cellular variants.

Drill down

Spec-level deep dives

By manufacturer

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