Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm
S10 SiP · Aluminum 45mm · 2025
Apple Watch Series 7
2021 · Fitness + health
Apple Watch Series 7 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm lands at 83 and Apple Watch Series 7 at 84. That puts Apple Watch Series 7 ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm if…
- ✓Satellite connectivity (Ultra 3)
- ✓Blood pressure trends (Series 11)
- ✓watchOS 12
Pick Apple Watch Series 7 if…
- ✓Multi-day fitness tracking
- ✓GPS + heart rate
- ✓Notification mirroring
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testDisplay
Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mmCompared on the display sub-score
Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm leads on display (95 vs 88).
Fitness
Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mmCompared on the fitness sub-score
Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm leads on fitness (94 vs 84).
Health
Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mmCompared on the health sub-score
Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm leads on health (96 vs 82).
Value for money
Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mmSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm more score per dollar ($249 vs $399).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm | Apple Watch Series 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S10 SiP | — |
| Case | Aluminum 45mm | — |
| Release year | 2025 | 2021 |
Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 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
Apple Watch Series 7
- +Multi-day fitness tracking
- +GPS + heart rate
- +Notification mirroring
- −Battery life varies dramatically
- −Companion phone required
- −Screen-on drains battery
FAQ: Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm vs Apple Watch Series 7
Which is better, Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm or Apple Watch Series 7? +
Apple Watch Series 7 scores 84 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm worth the price? +
At $249, Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm delivers a Specdex score of 83 — strongest in health.
Is Apple Watch Series 7 worth the price? +
At $399, Apple Watch Series 7 delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in display.
Does Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm or Apple Watch Series 7 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 (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm or Apple Watch Series 7? +
Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm — leads on display (95 vs 88). Compared on the display sub-score.
Which is better for fitness, Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm or Apple Watch Series 7? +
Apple Watch SE (3rd gen) Aluminum 45mm — leads on fitness (94 vs 84). Compared on the fitness sub-score.