So, I just recently purchased my first Apple Watch, and I think this one is absolutely perfect for me. So, if you’re in the market for a new Apple Watch, let’s talk about which one is your best fit.
The Current Apple Watch Lineup
Firstly, if you’re on Apple’s website, you’ll see a lot of different Apple Watches to choose from. There’s the budget SE3, the flagship Series 11, and the Ultimate Ultra 3, plus their additional sizes, meaning, yeah, there’s a lot to choose from. Let’s break down each.
1. Apple Watch SE 3: The Budget-Friendly Option
First, the SE3 is the new and improved budget Apple Watch that starts at $250 for the starter smaller variant and comes with many amazing features that you’d expect on a smartwatch. Mainly, it can track your workouts, keep up with your heartbeat during activity, and also track your sleep, among many other things.
The watch is based off of an older design, which admittedly has much larger bezels, which shouldn’t be a problem for you if you put a case on the Apple Watch, which I recommend for the non-lra watches. But because of that older design, it won’t look as flashy as the other watches on this list. And its feature list is not 100% as cutting edge. But for the budget-minded, the Apple Watch SE is pretty solid.
2. Apple Watch Series 11: The Daily Driver
Next up is the Series 11. And this one is the most common type of Apple Watch you’ll see day-to-day. This is like the iPhone 17 of the Apple watches. It’s the middle of the road, the normal Apple Watch, so to speak.
And it’s a great watch. It has all of the features the SE has plus more. It’s even more durable, has an incredible edgetoedge display that looks amazing in person, and is just a great watch altogether. It does come at a premium though at $400 starting and can especially reach higher if you get the larger variant with titanium. So this one I would reserve for those who are not as budget conscious, though we’ll get to my actual recommendation momentarily.
3. Apple Watch Ultra 3
And finally, the Apple Watch Ultra 3. This is like the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the ultimate watch from Apple. Surprisingly, I’ve met a lot of people who rock the Apple Watch Ultra who absolutely do not use it to its full potential. But even still, man, it’s a cool watch. Call me a materialist, but it’s a shiny, big utility watch that sits on your wrist and can really take a beating.
The Apple Watch Ultra is built for, as the name suggests, ultra durability. Is it actually ultra durable? It’s definitely up there, but I’d still put a case on it for my personal well-being. Point being though, if you’re a super active mountain biking, incredibly deep diving or iron man racing type of person, the Ultra is a great option for you. It takes all of the best features from the previous two options and puts those into its crazy and albeit large chassis to create this monster. On top of that, there are a host of features that make it even more powerful and good-looking with an eyewatering price tag of $800 starting. So, not cheap, that’s for sure. But for those who can really benefit from it, it can be a great buy.
My Personal Recommendation: The Series 11
For me, though, I was not ready for it. Let’s now talk about my recommendation. This is the Apple Watch Series 11, my personal Apple Watch that I just purchased a couple of weeks ago and have been using literally every single day as intended. I run with it. I work out with it. I work with it. I sleep with it. It has become a massive and passive part of my life with a perfect fit to my wrist.
Things to Consider
So then which one should you buy? Firstly, I recommend you buy to your size. It’s really important that when you get a watch, you don’t just get the best looking one because I’ve seen a lot of good watches around. And I’ve also seen many that are just way too big or way too small for the user. Look up your wrist measurements. See which watch face fits best and doesn’t cover your wrist like a clock. Actually have it fit between your wrist bones, and then also find the right band size for you because you will wear this watch often. Don’t buy something too big or too small. It will become uncomfortable.
Moreover, the cellular option really is personal preference. I didn’t get it because I don’t go anywhere without my phone. But if you want to use the watch kind of like your phone and don’t want to take your iPhone out while doing sports activities, that’s an option. Though, it can get expensive paying for the cellular plan. So, keep that in mind.
Which Watch Fits Your Needs?
But in regard to which watch itself, I think that if you’re new to the Apple Watch or a smart watch in general, you should forgo the Apple Watch Ultra. If you’re an extremely active person or someone with disposable income, maybe consider the Ultra. But for almost everyone who’s new to this ecosystem, let’s focus on the SE and Series 11.
Generally, most people buying a new Apple Watch tend to gloss over the SE because it’s the budget device, but it really does have almost everything you need. It now has the always on display, a good enough battery life, a solid brightness, and so on. The big thing it’s missing currently would be the heart health features, which if you have hypertension, which is high blood pressure, or any sort of heart arhythmia or heartbeat anomaly, I’d strongly recommend the Series 11 for some general health monitoring. But if you don’t have any health concerns, I’d say the SE is a good option for a firsttime user or even as a gift to someone getting an Apple Watch for the first time. The SE is great for those who are just getting into smart watches and don’t want to potentially spend money on something you might not even use, especially for kids who might want one for a season, but not long term.
On the flip side, the Series 11, which is what I have, is great if you already wear a watch and or have used a smartwatch before and you know what it’s like to rock something like this and potentially want to try those extra features and benefits plus enjoy a generally nicer device, the Series 11 is a great option. It’s the most popular choice for a reason. It’s the all-in-one great allrounder, but I’d only recommend it if you know you’re actually going to use it and benefit from it. Otherwise, there is the cheaper SE option. There is the titanium option for the Series 11 as well, but that does put it near the Ultra pricing, which at that point, I’d suggest you consider the Ultra.
What About the Ultra?
And speaking of which, what about the Ultra? Yeah, that’s a toughy because it’s got the utility for sure, but it also has some status. I mean, if you are someone who wants to show off that you have the best of the best, such as some folks I know, you can get anything but the Ultra, but I’d really recommend focusing on your needs here. I’d recommend the Altra if you’re an extremely active person and intend to use the watch to help you with that lifestyle. Does it have some clout? Absolutely. Not as much as a designer watch, of course, but it is the premium Apple smartwatch that many folks with the cash rock, and it does garner some respect. It’s a good-looking watch, but for you and most folks, I’d suggest focusing on your needs unless you have the disposable income. If you have the disposable income, though, the Ultra for sure, affiliate links down below, but I’ve seen the Ultra. I’ve tried the Ultra, and I really like the Ultra. I almost bought the new Ultra originally.
Final
But given the price and given my needs with this being my first Apple Watch, but not my first watch or first smartwatch for that matter, I went with the Series 11, and I absolutely made the right choice with my first Apple Watch. I mean, look how good this looks on my wrist. So, in summary, the SE is a great introduction to smart watches and good for the wallet. The Series 11 is solid for those who are used to watches and smart watches, plus can spend a bit more. And the Ultra is for the ultimate active users and those with disposable incomes.
So, I hope this article helps. Be sure to do your research. Look into your sizing and figure out which watch will give you the most satisfaction for the price. These things can last a long time. So have fun with this and put in the time to find your perfect fit. my name is Cirrus. It’s spelled like Cyrus pronouncing C Rooster. Just take out the Tur. Thank you very much for reading and have a wonderful day. Peace.
