Apple Watch SE (2nd gen)
2022 · Fitness + health
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm
S11 SiP · Stainless 45mm · 2025
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) lands at 82 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm at 95. That puts Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm ahead by 13 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) if…
- ✓Multi-day fitness tracking
- ✓GPS + heart rate
- ✓Notification mirroring
Pick Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm if…
- ✓Satellite connectivity (Ultra 3)
- ✓Blood pressure trends (Series 11)
- ✓watchOS 12
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testDisplay
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mmCompared on the display sub-score
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm leads on display (95 vs 88).
Durability
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mmCompared on the durability sub-score
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm leads on durability (96 vs 86).
Fitness
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mmCompared on the fitness sub-score
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm leads on fitness (94 vs 82).
Value for money
Apple Watch SE (2nd gen)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) more score per dollar ($249 vs $999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) | Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2022 | 2025 |
| Chip | — | S11 SiP |
| Case | — | Stainless 45mm |
Apple Watch SE (2nd gen)
- +Multi-day fitness tracking
- +GPS + heart rate
- +Notification mirroring
- −Battery life varies dramatically
- −Companion phone required
- −Screen-on drains battery
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm
- +Satellite connectivity (Ultra 3)
- +Blood pressure trends (Series 11)
- +watchOS 12
- −iPhone-required
- −Battery ~18 h on Series, ~48 h on Ultra
- −Premium pricing
FAQ: Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) vs Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm
Which is better, Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) or Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm? +
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 13. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) worth the price? +
At $249, Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in display.
Is Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm worth the price? +
At $999, Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in health.
Does Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) or Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for display, Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) or Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm? +
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm — leads on display (95 vs 88). Compared on the display sub-score.
Which is better for durability, Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) or Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm? +
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm — leads on durability (96 vs 86). Compared on the durability sub-score.