At Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 launch event in September, the new model of its affordable smartwatch, the Apple Watch SE, will also be unveiled. The third-generation watch, last updated in 2022, comes with significant improvements.

Affordable Apple Watch SE 3 is coming

According to display analyst Ross Young, the Apple Watch SE 3 will feature 1.6-inch and 1.8-inch screen sizes. While these sizes are similar to the current model, the watch is rumored to feature the thinner bezels and sleeker design found on the Apple Watch Series 7. There’s no information yet about the “always-on display” feature, which is not available on the current Apple Watch SE.

The next-generation Apple Watch SE uses the same S11 chip as the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra. This represents a significant performance increase over the current model’s S8 chip. Along with the S11 chip, the Apple Watch SE 3 offers new features such as on-device Siri processing, double-tap gesture support, and more storage.

The Apple Watch SE has fewer health features than other models in the series. Features like ECG and blood oxygen monitoring are not available on this model. However, the new model may include sleep apnea detection.

The current second-generation optical heart sensor may be replaced with the third-generation sensor included in the Apple Watch Series 7. Other expected improvements include better battery life, faster charging, and improved water resistance. The Apple Watch SE 3 is expected to be announced at the iPhone event on September 9th and available for pre-order on September 12th.