Is It Worth Buying Apple Watch Series 3 In 2020? My Two Cents…


Apple_watch-se-watchface_09152020_carousel.jpg.large_2xPin

Apple makes a range of Apple Watch models. And the Apple Watch 3, now a couple of years old, is still available. But should you buy one?

The big question: do you buy the latest, new Apple Watch or save some money and buy an older model like the Apple Watch Series 3?

In this guide, I’ll outline the PROS and CONS of buying older Apple Watch models versus getting the latest and greatest model.

We’ll look at the specs, differences in features, the difference in price, and what kind of performance and features you get from the Apple Watch Series versus Apple’s newer Apple Watch Models (like the Apple Watch Series 6). Looking to specifically compare the SIZES of different Apple Watches? Check out our complete list of Apple Watch sizes here.

Why You’d Buy Apple Watch Series 3 In 2020: The PROS

Is It Worth Buying Apple Watch Series 3 In 2020? My Two Cents…Pin

Design: It Still Looks As Good As Ever

The Apple Watch Series 3 might be a few years old now, but it still looks more or less the same as Apple’s latest models. Apple is conservative with its approach to design. Once it finds something that works (and sells) it doesn’t mess with the formula.

This is why iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and iMacs seldom get big design refreshes. Instead, Apple improves its functionality, refines the user experience, and improves things like performance, battery life, and connectivity. And it works too; Apple’s products dominate each niche they’re sold in.

The Apple Watch Series 3 doesn’t look all that different from the latest Apple Watch Series 6. There are differences, of course, but most people will struggle to spot them. The Apple Watch Series 3 is slightly thicker than the Apple Watch Series 5 and 6 but they’re all the exact same shape and size.

The straps work the same too, so you can buy different Apple Watch bands and they’ll work on both the Apple Watch Series 3, Apple Watch Series 5, and Apple Watch Series 6, as well as the newer SE model.

The Apple Watch Series 3 is also completely waterproof too (5ATM), up to 50 meters. With color options, the Apple Watch Series 3 is available in the following colors: gold, silver, and space grey. And for sizes, the Apple Watch Series 3 comes in two flavors: 38mm and 42mm.

And that’s about it for design. The Apple Watch Series 3 is slightly thicker than the Apple Watch Series 6. But that’s about it for the physical design. Beyond this, the two wearable devices look more or less identical when worn on your wrist.

The Price

The best part about the Apple Watch Series 3, however, is its price: you can pick one up for next to nothing these days, making it an ideal choice for anybody that’s on a budget but still wants a piece of Apple’s wearable products.

How much is next to nothing? Well, it’s not free but it is A LOT cheaper than a newer Apple Watch model like the Apple Watch Series 5 or Apple Watch Series 6. Online, you’re looking at about $197 for the Apple Watch Series 3. That’s almost $150 cheaper than the newer model.

And, with respect to features, the Apple Watch Series 3 is still just as good as the Apple Watch Series 6. You get all the benefits of Apple’s latest watchOS update, as well as software support for years to come.

And because this is a wearable, not a phone, there really is no need to be running the latest hardware. You’re not missing out on anything, save for the Apple Watch Series 3’s ever-so-slightly thicker chassis. For most users, the difference between the Apple Watch Series 3 and Apple Watch Series 6 will be negligible.

Battery Life

How’s the battery life on the Apple Watch Series 3? Around 18 hours. Max. That isn’t great, but then that’s life with Apple Watch. If you want a wearable that lasts a couple of days between charges, you’ll need to look at either Wear OS or Tizen.

Battery life on Apple Watch doesn’t improve on newer models, either: the Apple Watch Series 6 is also rated for 18 hours too. This means, whatever model you go for, you need to get used to charging the device once a day, just like your phone.

My advice? Get yourself a wireless charging mat; this will make charging your Apple Watch, as well as your iPhone and AirPods, super simple. Just plonk them down on the mat and leave them to charge, wirelessly, overnight.

The Specs Are Still Solid

Apple tweaks the Apple Watch every year, adding in new processors and refining some of the internal components. But because the vast majority of Apple Watch’s features come from the software it runs (watchOS), hardware isn’t as important as you’d think.

The Apple Watch Series 3, while three years old now, runs on the still-very-competent Apple S3 CPU. Designed by Apple to run exclusively on Apple Watch, the S3 is a potent CPU that still makes a great impression even now in 2020.

It will run watchOS with ease, provides sleek and speedy animations, and the S3 platform will be supported by Apple via watchOS updates for years to come.

The only slightly weak area of Apple’s Watch platform is battery life. None of its models have good battery life. Apple believes this is a fair trade-off, however, for all the cool things Apple Watch can do.

As I said above, if you value battery life over features, you need to be looking at either Google’s Wear OS or Samsung’s Tizen platform.

LTE & WiFi Models To Choose From

As with all Apple Watch models, you have LTE models and WiFi-only models to choose from. Me personally, I’d stick with the WiFi-only model. Apple’s LTE Apple Watch models have TERRIBLE battery life.

The LTE models are also more expensive, so save yourself some cash (and enjoy more battery life) by going with the WiFi-only Apple Watch Series 3.

You Can Buy Refurbished (And Save Even More)

Another consumer hack worth thinking about, if you want to save money on your Apple Watch Series 3 purchase, is buying one refurbished. With a refurbished Apple Watch Series 3, you’ll save an additional 30% to 40% on the usual RRP.

And keep in mind that refurbished is NOT the same as used. A refurbished Apple Watch is one that has been sent back to the manufacturer, fixed, made good as new, and then sold on to resale companies that specialise in refurbished tech — retailers like Gazelle and Amazon’s Renewed Program.

Things To Keep In Mind: The CONS

I always like to finish these kinds of posts with a list of CONS for the product in question. However, with the Apple Watch Series 3 there aren’t too many caveats, save for the battery life and the fact that most people should avoid the LTE models.

The Apple Watch Series 3 is a killer smartwatch. Apple’s watchOS software is the best in the business too, so if you’re after the ultimate performance from your wearable, an Apple Watch is your only real option — it wipes the floor with both Tizen and Wear OS.

In order to get the most use out of your Apple Watch, though, you do need to own and use an iPhone. The Apple Watch Series 3 will work with Android, but it is fairly limited. For maximum results, Apple Watch should be used ONLY with iPhone.

If you’re an Android user, I’d look at something like the Fossil Sport instead. The Fossil Sport is currently our #1 most recommended Wear OS smartwatch. It looks great, packs in a ton of features, and has a two day battery life. Oh, and it retails for less than 100 bucks too.

Latest Smartphone Releases


  • Xiaomi 15S Pro

    The Xiaomi 15S Pro didn’t come with a flashy launch, but it brings some seriously heavy hardware to the table. A custom 10-core chip, Leica-engineered cameras, and one of the brightest displays on the market

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

    At just 5.8mm thick, it’s one of the thinnest Android phones ever made—but don’t let the slim profile fool you. This phone is all flagship under the hood.

  • Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

    It’s got the same slick design and OLED display, but adds a periscope zoom camera and a 50MP front-facing shooter.

  • Nothing Phone (3a)

    The Nothing Phone (3a) nails the formula: give people what they actually want, keep the price low, and make it look cooler than anything else in its class.

  • Motorola EDGE 60 Pro

    With a bold design, flagship-like display, and surprisingly refined camera system, it’s one of the most interesting mid-range phones of 2025.

  • Google Pixel 9

    I’ve been using the Pixel 9 for a few weeks now, and honestly? It nails all the basics—and a bit more. Killer stuff all round!

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro

    I’ve used the Pixel 9 Pro as my daily device, and it’s hands-down the best balance of power, practicality, and photography you’ll find on Android right now.

  • OnePlus 13

    I’ve been using the OnePlus 13 as my daily driver for a few months now—and I’ve got to say, it’s easily one of the best Android phones I’ve tested this year.

  • Xiaomi 15 Ultra

    After using the Xiaomi 15 Ultra for over a week, I can confidently say: this phone is an absolute beast. It’s made for camera nerds, power users, and creators.

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

    If you’ve been holding out for a truly complete iPhone, the 16 Pro Max delivers—hard. After using it daily, I won't be going back…

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

    Big screen, big battery, and even bigger brains—this is the Pixel to get if you want Google’s best hardware and longest support.

  • Google Pixel 9a

    The Pixel 9a brings Google’s flagship-level smarts to a budget-friendly package, and it’s easily one of the best-value Android phones of 2025.

Best SIM-Only Plans & Deals


  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Premium Plan

    Boost’s top-tier option brings the heat: 50GB of premium data, hotspot, North America roaming, global talk & text, and $430 off select devices. All-in at $60/month with no contract.

    +

    Data: Unlimited (50GB premium speed)

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited+ Plan

    Level up with 40GB of premium data, hotspot access, global calling, and up to $300 in device savings. All for just $50/month. No contracts and flexible phone options included.

    +

    Data: Unlimited; Speed Caps After 40GB

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan

    Start strong with 30GB of premium data, unlimited everything, and a killer intro offer: just $15/month for the first 3 months, then $25/month forever. No contracts. No fluff. Big value.

    +

    Data: Unlimited (Speed Caps Over 30GB)

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    Another high-data, low-cost option with no contract. 108GB for just £9, full 5G access, and the same goodies you get with 12-month deals.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 20GB

    The lowest price option. 20GB for £6 with all the same perks as pricier plans. Great if you don’t use much data and want to save every penny.

    +

    Data: 20GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 110GB

    This plan gives you big data and zero commitment. 110GB for just £10 with all perks intact. If you need more data but want the freedom to cancel, this is the one.

    +

    Data: 110GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    More data, same price. For just £8/month, you get 60GB on a no-strings 1-month rolling plan. Ideal for users who stream often but don’t want long commitments.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 40GB

    Perfect if you want full flexibility. You get 40GB and all of iD Mobile's perks with no lock-in, annual increases, or setup fees. Great for short-term users.

    +

    Data: 40GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    One of the best pound-per-GB plans around. You get 60GB for £8 with £25 cashback, which means you’re effectively paying closer to £6/month. Includes roaming and data rollover.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    This deal gets you a healthy 108GB of 5G data for less than a tenner, with no upfront costs and £24 cashback. All the perks are included too: data rollover, roaming, and loyalty rewards.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: Unlimited Data

    This iD Mobile plan doesn’t just compete on price, it’s up there with the best of them. Unlimited everything, a year-long lock-in with no price rises, and £42 cashback straight to your pocket. It’s like getting nearly 3 months free.

    +

    Data: Unlimited, No Speed Caps

  • Mint Mobile 20GB Plan

    If you're looking to save some cash on your bills, this plan is an awesome option. You'll get 20GB of data per month and 20GB hotspot data allowance. For moderate to heavy users, that should be more than enough. I seldom use more than 10GB of data a month, and I'm always using my phone

    +

    Data: 20GB