Apple unveiled the Series 3 five years ago, and at WWDC 2022, it effectively put the smartwatch to bed. The Apple Watch Series 3 will not be supported by watchOS 9, implying that the Apple Watch SE will take over as Apple’s affordable wristwatch.
When the Series 3 was released in 2017, it was a fantastic smartwatch that included cellular calls. (However, the battery life may have been improved.) While Apple continued to support the watch over time, it became evident that the Series 3’s time had come to an end. Many customers have experienced Series 3 problems updating to new software since the introduction of watchOS 7 in 2020. In addition, watchOS 9 brought a slew of additional health and fitness capabilities to the table.
When the Apple Watch SE debuted with the Series 6 in 2020, it created confusion about whether watch was actually the affordable choice. That’s because the Series 3 was still available – although at a steep discount. The Series 3 was marketed as an entry-level watch at the time, while the SE was marketed as an upgrade for those who didn’t want to spend the money on a flagship.
That wasn’t such a good idea. Even if you were able to upgrade to the most recent version of watchOS, many of the newest functions were broken. Despite the Series 3’s capability for newer versions of watchOS, some weren’t even included. Paying wasn’t worth it because the app’s load times were so sluggish.
Apple is expected to unveil three new Apple Watches this year, according to rumors: the Series 8, a rugged Apple Watch, and an improved version of the SE. After today’s improvements, it’s fairly probable that a tough watch will be released, as watchOS 9 has multisport activities for triathletes, more in-depth data for runners, and various new workout perspectives. However, the discontinuation of support for the Series 3 lends credence to claims that a new SE is on the way.
If everything works properly, it’ll be a far more intelligent product range than what’s now offered. There would be a watch for Garmin or Polar users, a watch for people who value smart features above fitness, and a watch for people who don’t want to spend a lot of money. This effectively repositions the SE as an entry-level device rather than a midrange device for Apple. As a result, it’s possible that the ordinary Series 8 could become the new intermediate watch, while the tough version would become the premium option. In essence, the watch lineup would resemble that of the iPhone.
You don’t have to update right away if you possess a Series 3. It’s actually best to wait till Apple introduces the Series 8 later this autumn. At that time, older or reconditioned flagships like the Series 4, 5, 6, and 7 are frequently available at a lower price. Alternatively, depending on whether or not we receive a new SE with improved features, it may be an appealing alternative. However, if you’re considering purchasing a new Series 3 at a bargain, don’t. It makes no difference how “excellent” the bargain is. It was a horrible investment in 2020 and 2021, and it is still a bad investment in 2022.