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Watch comparison

Apple Series 9 vs Apple SE 3

Compare battery life, health tracking, display and fit.

Compared products
01Selected
Apple Watch Series 9

Apple Watch Series 9

  • Screen: 41mm: 352 × 430 pixels; 45mm: 396 × 484 pixels.
  • Apple S9; 4-core Neural Engine processor.
  • 64 GB storage in this version.
  • Runs watchOS 10, upgradable to watchOS 27.
  • Wi-Fi 4 support.
KSh 45,000In Stock
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02
Apple Watch SE 3

Apple Watch SE 3

  • Screen: 40mm: 324 × 394 pixels; 44mm: 368 × 448 pixels.
  • Apple S10; 4-core Neural Engine processor.
  • 64 GB storage in this version.
  • Runs watchOS 26, upgradable to watchOS 27.
  • Wi-Fi 4 support.
KSh 37,500In Stock
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Apple Watch Series 11KSh 51,000
Apple Watch Series 8KSh 50,000
Apple Watch Series 10KSh 47,000
Amazfit GTR 3 ProKSh 20,000
Apple Watch SE 2KSh 28,500
Apple Watch UltraKSh 90,000
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6KSh 22,500
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

The Apple Watch Series 9 takes ECG heart-rhythm readings and has a brighter screen for outdoor use, while the Apple Watch SE 3 is lighter to wear all day.

Display

Apple Watch Series 9
41mm: 352 × 430 pixels; 45mm: 396 × 484 pixels
Apple Watch SE 3
40mm: 324 × 394 pixels; 44mm: 368 × 448 pixels

Performance

Apple Watch Series 9
Apple S9; 4-core Neural Engine processor
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple S10; 4-core Neural Engine processor

Software

Apple Watch Series 9
Runs watchOS 10, upgradable to watchOS 27
Apple Watch SE 3
Runs watchOS 26, upgradable to watchOS 27

Portability

Apple Watch Series 9
31.9 g
Apple Watch SE 3
26.3 g

Sensors

Apple Watch Series 9
Electrical heart sensor, third-generation optical heart sensor
Apple Watch SE 3
Second-generation optical heart sensor, temperature sensor

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Apple Watch Series 9

  • Brighter display: up to 2,000 nits (vs 1,000).
  • ECG heart-rhythm readings.

Apple Watch SE 3

  • Lighter: 26.3 g (vs 31.9 g).
  • Newer model: released in 2025 (vs 2023).
  • Newer watchOS 26 (vs watchOS 10).

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

More topicsFewer topics
6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PriorityApple Watch Series 9Apple Watch SE 3
Battery lifeUp to 18 hours per chargeUp to 18 hours per charge
Storage64 GB storage64 GB storage
DisplayOLED displayOLED display
PerformanceApple S9 processorApple S10 processor
SoftwarewatchOS 10watchOS 26
ConnectionsWi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

Display

Display specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 9Apple Watch SE 3
DisplayAlways-On Retina LTPO OLEDAlways-On Retina LTPO OLED
Screen resolution41mm: 352 × 430 pixels; 45mm: 396 × 484 pixels40mm: 324 × 394 pixels; 44mm: 368 × 448 pixels
Display protectionIon-X glass (aluminum); sapphire crystal (stainless steel)Ion-X glass
Display features2000 nits (peak)1000 nits (peak)

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 9Apple Watch SE 3
Network / cellularGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
SIM / eSIMeSIMeSIM
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCSupported; Apple PaySupported; Apple Pay
Positioning / GNSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
Ultra Wideband (UWB)Ultra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip)—

Identity & design

Identity & design specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 9Apple Watch SE 3
BrandAppleApple
ModelApple Watch Series 9Apple Watch SE 3
Announced2023, September 122025, September 09
Dimensions41mm: 41 × 35 × 10.7 mm; 45mm: 45 × 38 × 10.7 mm40mm: 40 × 34 × 10.7 mm; 44mm: 44 × 38 × 10.7 mm
Weight41mm: aluminum GPS 31.9 g, GPS + Cellular 32.1 g, stainless steel 42.3 g; 45mm: aluminum GPS 38.7 g, GPS + Cellular 39.0 g, stainless steel 51.5 g40mm: GPS 26.3 g, GPS + Cellular 26.4 g; 44mm: GPS 32.9 g, GPS + Cellular 33.0 g
Build materialsAluminum or stainless-steel case; ceramic and sapphire crystal backAluminum case
Wrist size41mm: 130–200 mm; 45mm: 140–245 mm40mm: 130–200 mm; 44mm: 140–245 mm
Controls / buttonsDigital Crown with haptic feedback; side buttonDigital Crown with haptic feedback; side button

Performance & software

Performance & software specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 9Apple Watch SE 3
ProcessorApple S9; 4-core Neural EngineApple S10; 4-core Neural Engine
CPU64-bit dual-core64-bit dual-core
GPUPowerVRPowerVR
Storage64 GB64 GB
Operating systemwatchOS 10, upgradable to watchOS 27watchOS 26, upgradable to watchOS 27

Audio & communication

Audio & communication specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 9Apple Watch SE 3
SpeakerSupportedSupported
MicrophoneSupportedSupported
CallingBluetooth calling; cellular calling on GPS + Cellular modelsBluetooth calling; cellular calling on GPS + Cellular models

Sensors, health & fitness

Sensors, health & fitness specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 9Apple Watch SE 3
SensorsElectrical heart sensor; third-generation optical heart sensor; temperature sensor; compass; always-on altimeter; high-g accelerometer; high-dynamic-range gyroscope; ambient light sensorSecond-generation optical heart sensor; temperature sensor; compass; always-on altimeter; high-g accelerometer; high-dynamic-range gyroscope; ambient light sensor
Health & wellness featuresECG app; blood oxygen feature where available; high and low heart-rate notifications; irregular rhythm notifications; temperature sensing; cycle trackingHigh and low heart-rate notifications; irregular rhythm notifications; temperature sensing; cycle tracking; mindfulness and medications apps
Sleep trackingSleep duration and sleep stagesSleep duration and sleep stages
Sports / workout modesWorkout app with multiple workout types and automatic workout detectionWorkout app with multiple workout types and automatic workout detection
Training & outdoor featuresPace and heart-rate zones; compass waypoints and backtrackPace and heart-rate zones; compass waypoints and backtrack
Safety & emergency featuresEmergency SOS; international emergency calling; Fall Detection; Crash DetectionEmergency SOS; international emergency calling; Fall Detection; Crash Detection

Battery & durability

Battery & durability specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 9Apple Watch SE 3
Battery lifeUp to 18 hours normal use; 36 hours Low Power ModeUp to 18 hours normal use; 32 hours Low Power Mode; 7 hours outdoor workout
ChargingMagnetic fast chargingMagnetic fast charging
Water resistance50 m; swimproof50 m; swimproof
Durability / certificationsIP6X dust resistance—

Compatibility

Compatibility specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 9Apple Watch SE 3
Phone compatibilityiPhone XS or later; iOS 17 or lateriPhone 11 or later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation or later); iOS 26 or later
Companion appApple Watch app on iPhoneApple Watch app on iPhone
ColorsGraphite, Silver, Gold, RedMidnight, Starlight

Additional specifications

Additional specifications specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 9Apple Watch SE 3
Pixels per inch326 ppi326 ppi
Peak brightnessUp to 2,000 nits; 1 nit minimumUp to 1,000 nits
Cover / touchscreenSupportedSupported
Charging timeAbout 45 minutes to 80%About 45 minutes to 80%
Release statusAvailable. Released 2023, September 22Available. Released 2025, September 19
Model numbersA2982, A2984, A2983, A2985, Watch7,3, Watch7,4A3325, A3324, A3328, A3326, A3327, A3329, A3391, A3392
Card slotNoNo
CameraNoNo
3.5 mm headphone jackNoNo
USBNoNo
RadioNoNo
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK; HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA, LATAM, CanadaHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK; HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA, LATAM, Canada
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada
Network speedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
SAR (US)1.02 W/kg (head)1.18 W/kg (head)
SAR (EU)0.64 W/kg (head)0.42 W/kg (head)
Additional hardware featuresTemperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy)Media playback
Battery typeRechargeable lithium-ionRechargeable lithium-ion
5G bands—SA/NSA

Similarities

  • Both belong to the Apple Watch platform.
  • Both are rated for up to 18 hours per charge.
  • Both support Wi-Fi 4.
  • Both use Bluetooth 5.3.
  • Both work with a companion app.
  • Both have NFC.

In summary

For most buyers the Apple Watch Series 9 is the better buy; the Apple Watch SE 3 makes sense if you want a lighter watch for all-day wear.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

Samsung Galaxy Watch UltraFor Apple Watch Series 9Samsung Galaxy Watch UltraView product ↗Google Pixel Watch 4For Apple Watch Series 9Google Pixel Watch 4View product ↗Google Pixel Watch 3For Apple Watch SE 3Google Pixel Watch 3View product ↗Xiaomi Watch S1 ProFor Apple Watch SE 3Xiaomi Watch S1 ProView product ↗

Related comparisons

Apple Watch Series 9Apple Watch Series 11Apple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 9Apple Watch Series 9Apple Watch Series 10
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