Tom's Guide2025
Tom's Guide praised the value, always-on display, 5G, and expanded health features, while calling out the dated design and lack of ECG.
Read Tom's Guide review →Home › Refurbished Apple Watches › Apple Watch SE (3rd generation)
Refurbished Apple Watch SE (3rd generation)
Apple Watch SE 3 is the most convincing SE yet. It adds an always-on display, the S10 chip, temperature sensing, fast charging, and 5G on cellular versions, while keeping the lower-cost design. It still skips ECG and blood oxygen sensing, but supports watchOS 27 and covers the everyday smartwatch basics very well.
Refurbished from$179.95Price and availability can change.
Compare 8 offers →8 current offers40 / 44mmGPS + Cellular · GPS
Latest watchOS: Compatible with watchOS 27 on 2026-10-29
KYM verdict
Is Apple Watch SE (3rd generation) worth buying refurbished?
SE 3 is the easiest budget Apple Watch to recommend in this batch. The always-on display fixes the SE line's biggest everyday annoyance, and the S10 chip gives it a current platform. You do give up ECG and blood oxygen sensing, so compare the actual saving against Series 10 or 11 and choose the SE only if those trade-offs fit your needs.
Best forBuy it if you want notifications, Apple Pay, fitness and safety features, an always-on screen, and current software support without paying Series pricing.
Biggest benefitIt brings the always-on display and modern S10 platform to Apple's more affordable watch line.
What to considerSkip it if you need ECG, blood oxygen measurements, a larger brighter display, or the premium materials and sensors of Series or Ultra models.
At a glance
What you get
What works
- Always-on display
- S10 chip and 64GB storage
- Temperature sensor and sleep features
- Fast charging
- Current watchOS compatibility
What to consider
- No ECG or blood oxygen app
- Smaller and dimmer screen than Series 11
- Apple-rated runtime remains up to 18 hours in normal use
Specs and features
Apple Watch SE (3rd generation) specifications
| Chip | S10 SiP |
|---|---|
| Display | Always-On Retina OLED, up to 1,000 nits |
| Introduced | 2025 |
| Storage GB | 64 |
| Not Included | ECG app, Blood Oxygen app |
| Case Sizes Mm | 40, 44 |
| Notable Features | Always-On display, Temperature sensor, Fast charging, Sleep score, Sleep apnoea notifications, 5G on cellular models |
| Apple Rated Battery | Up to 18 hours; up to 32 hours in Low Power Mode |
Critic reviews
What reviewers say
We use outside reviews as supporting context, then compare that with current refurbished pricing, software support, and long-term value.
Macworld2025
Macworld highlighted the always-on display, battery improvements, fast charging, and expanded features as a major improvement, while noting that some health features remain absent.
Read Macworld review →Third-party review references are attributed to their original publishers. KYM summaries are added to help explain whether that review still matters at today’s refurbished price.
Current availability
Refurbished Apple Watch SE (3rd generation) offers
Apple Watch Series SE 3 (2025) GPS + Cellular 40 mm – Aluminium Midnight – Sport band Black40mm · GPS + Cellular · Refurbished
$179.95Was $299.00Check availability →
Apple Watch Series SE 3 (2025) GPS 40 mm – Aluminium Starlight – Sport band White40mm · GPS · Refurbished
$199.00Was $249.00Check availability →
Apple Watch Series SE 3 (2025) GPS 40 mm – Aluminium Midnight – Sport band Black40mm · GPS · Refurbished
$199.00Was $249.00Check availability →
Apple Watch Series SE 3 (2025) GPS + Cellular 40 mm – Aluminium Starlight – Sport band White40mm · GPS + Cellular · Refurbished
$204.00Was $299.00Check availability →
Apple Watch Series SE 3 (2025) GPS + Cellular 44 mm – Aluminium Starlight – Sport band White44mm · GPS + Cellular · Refurbished
$219.00Was $329.00Check availability →
Apple Watch Series SE 3 (2025) GPS 44 mm – Aluminium Starlight – Sport band White44mm · GPS · Refurbished
$223.00Was $279.00Check availability →
Apple Watch Series SE 3 (2025) GPS 44 mm – Aluminium Midnight – Sport band Black44mm · GPS · Refurbished
$224.00Was $279.00Check availability →
Apple Watch Series SE 3 (2025) GPS + Cellular 44 mm – Aluminium Midnight – Sport band Black44mm · GPS + Cellular · Refurbished
$238.00Was $329.00Check availability →
KYM may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Battery disclosure, included accessories, warranty, returns, and water-resistance testing vary by listing; check the retailer's terms before ordering.
Buying advice
What to check before you buy
- Check the exact 40mm or 44mm case and GPS or GPS + Cellular configuration.
- Cellular service requires a supported carrier and plan; verify compatibility before choosing that version.
- Confirm battery disclosure, included band and charger, warranty, and returns for the specific refurbished offer.
- Do not treat the original water-resistance rating as a guarantee for a used watch.
FAQs
Apple Watch SE (3rd generation) FAQs
Does Apple Watch SE 3 have an always-on display?
Yes. SE 3 is the first SE generation with an always-on display, so you can glance at the time without raising your wrist. Its screen is smaller and less bright than the Series 11 display.
What health features are missing from Apple Watch SE 3?
SE 3 does not include the electrical heart sensor needed for the ECG app or the blood oxygen app. It does include heart-rate monitoring, temperature sensing, sleep tracking, safety alerts, and other everyday health features.
