Apple Watch SE 3 falls to $199 in Prime Day deal
Amazon’s Prime Day discount takes Apple’s lower-cost smartwatch to what The Verge says is its lowest price yet.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
2 min read
Amazon has cut the Apple Watch SE 3 to $199 for Prime Day, according to The Verge, bringing the wearable down from $249. The Verge described the price as the lowest yet for the model, making Apple’s entry-level watch a stronger option for buyers who do not need the company’s higher-end features.
The deal amounts to 20% off, based on the Amazon pricing cited by The Verge. The publication reported that the SE 3 stood out among last year’s Apple Watch lineup because it received a broader set of updates than the Series 11 and Ultra 3.
According to The Verge, the Apple Watch SE 3 added an always-on display, wrist-temperature sensing, fast charging, 5G connectivity, a speaker and a newer processor. The watch also supports gesture controls, including double tap and wrist flick, The Verge reported.
The upgraded processor is expected to support watchOS 27 when Apple releases it in the fall, according to The Verge. That software support matters for buyers considering a cheaper Apple Watch, since it suggests the SE 3 will remain current with Apple’s next watch operating system.
Who the SE 3 is for
The Verge’s Victoria Song said she recommends the Apple Watch SE 3 for most people, with some exceptions. Buyers who want thinner bezels, EKG readings or atrial fibrillation detection may prefer a higher-end Apple Watch, according to her assessment.
Song also noted that the 40mm version works well for people with smaller wrists. In her testing, she wrote that the SE 3 did not leave her feeling as if she was missing out on the pricier models.
The main tradeoff, according to The Verge, is health tracking. Apple reserves some of its more advanced health tools for other models, including the Series line.
Series 11 is also discounted
For shoppers who want those added health features, The Verge reported that the Apple Watch Series 11 is also discounted. The Series 11 is $50 off at $279, which The Verge also described as an all-time low.
The timing may affect which watch makes more sense. The Verge reported that a Series 12 is expected in a few months, while an update to the SE line is not considered likely for at least another year.
That puts the SE 3 deal in a different position from the Series 11 discount. According to The Verge, the SE 3 is less likely to be replaced soon, while the Series 11 may be closer to the end of its current run.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.