The Apple Watch Series 3 arrived with significant fanfare, and for good reason. Released in September 2017, it brought a collection of genuinely useful upgrades that made it one of the most capable wearables on the market. Whether you’re a dedicated fitness enthusiast, someone trying to build healthier habits, or simply a tech lover who wants to stay connected without constantly pulling out a phone, this device has something meaningful to offer. In this review, we’ll walk through what’s new, what works well, what could be better, and whether it’s worth your investment.
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What’s New in the Apple Watch Series 3
Apple didn’t just make incremental tweaks with the Series 3 — they introduced features that fundamentally change how you can use a smartwatch in daily life. The two most significant additions are built-in cellular connectivity and an improved dual-core processor, both of which make the watch feel far more independent from your iPhone than previous generations.
Built-In LTE Cellular
Perhaps the most talked-about new feature is the LTE chip embedded directly into the watch. This allows the Apple Watch Series 3 to connect to both 2G and 4G data networks, meaning you can leave your iPhone at home and still stay fully connected. Whether you’re on a run in the park, swimming laps, or simply moving around the house, your watch can handle calls, messages, and data on its own.
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This is a meaningful shift in how a smartwatch functions. Instead of acting primarily as a companion device that mirrors your phone’s notifications, the Series 3 can now operate as a standalone communication tool. You can make and receive calls directly from your wrist, and Siri can send text messages on your behalf — no keyboard needed. The integration with FaceTime Audio is particularly impressive, allowing you to call anyone in your contacts through your watch without consuming any additional phone minutes.
Voice Control and Siri Integration
Siri has always been part of the Apple Watch experience, but the Series 3 makes it significantly more capable. You can now use Siri to make calls, send texts, set reminders, check the weather, control your music, and more — all without touching your phone. The voice recognition is responsive and accurate under normal conditions, making it practical to use on the go.
For anyone who has struggled with tiny watch interfaces in the past, voice control genuinely solves a lot of usability friction. Instead of squinting at a small screen to compose a message, you simply raise your wrist and speak. It feels natural after just a short adjustment period.
Faster Performance
The dual-core processor in the Series 3 is significantly faster than what was found in earlier Apple Watch models. Apps launch more quickly, animations are smoother, and the overall experience feels snappier. This matters more than it might seem — small delays and stutters were a genuine frustration on older Apple Watch models, and the Series 3 largely eliminates them.
Health and Fitness Features
The Apple Watch has always leaned heavily into health and fitness tracking, and the Series 3 continues that tradition with a refined and reliable set of tools.
Heart Rate Monitoring
The optical heart rate sensor on the Series 3 provides continuous heart rate data throughout the day. With a quick swipe of your wrist, you can check your current heart rate, see resting and walking averages, and review how your heart rate responded during exercise. For people managing cardiovascular health or simply trying to train more effectively, this data is genuinely useful.
Workout Tracking
The built-in Workout app supports a wide range of activities, including running, cycling, swimming, rowing, yoga, and high-intensity interval training. The watch uses GPS and GLONASS for outdoor activity tracking, giving you accurate distance and pace data without needing your phone nearby. Swim tracking is particularly well-executed — the Series 3 is water-resistant to 50 meters, so you can wear it in the pool or ocean without worry.
After each workout, you’ll receive a detailed summary of your session, including active calories burned, total time, average heart rate, and split data where applicable. Over time, this data builds into a picture of your fitness progress that’s easy to review in the Health and Activity apps on your iPhone.
Activity Rings and Daily Goals
The three Activity Rings — Move, Exercise, and Stand — remain one of the most effective motivational tools in consumer fitness technology. They give you a simple, visual way to track whether you’ve hit your daily targets, and the watch gently nudges you throughout the day with reminders to move or stand if you’ve been stationary for too long. It sounds simple, but many users find it surprisingly effective for building consistent healthy habits.
Design and Display
The Series 3 retains the familiar Apple Watch design that has been refined over several generations. It’s available in both 38mm and 42mm case sizes, in aluminum or stainless steel, and in a variety of finishes. The OLED display is bright, clear, and responsive, and it now activates slightly more reliably when you raise your wrist compared to earlier models.
The watch is comfortable to wear all day, and the wide variety of interchangeable bands means you can adapt it to suit formal or casual settings. The Digital Crown and side button remain the primary physical controls, and both feel solid and well-made.
Battery Life
Battery life is one area where expectations need to be managed. Under normal use — with occasional cellular activity, workout tracking, and standard notification handling — the Series 3 will generally last through a full day. However, heavy use of the LTE connection, GPS, or streaming music can drain the battery more quickly. Most users will need to charge it nightly, which is reasonable for a device with this much functionality, but worth knowing going in.
Other Standout Features
- Apple Pay: Make contactless payments directly from your wrist at millions of retail locations, without needing your wallet or phone.
- Siri Shortcuts: Trigger common actions or automations with a simple voice command.
- Third-Party Apps: Access a growing library of apps designed specifically for watchOS, from productivity tools to navigation and music streaming.
- Emergency SOS: Hold down the side button to automatically call emergency services and notify your emergency contacts — a potentially life-saving feature for solo adventurers and older users alike.
- Breathe App: Guided breathing sessions help manage stress and encourage mindfulness throughout the day.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Built-in LTE means genuine independence from your iPhone
- Accurate and comprehensive health and fitness tracking
- Fast, responsive performance thanks to the dual-core processor
- Water-resistant to 50 meters — suitable for swimming
- Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem
- Wide variety of band and case options
Cons
- Cellular use significantly reduces battery life
- LTE functionality requires an additional data plan from your carrier
- Best suited for existing iPhone users — limited appeal outside the Apple ecosystem
- The small screen can still feel limiting for certain tasks
Who Should Buy the Apple Watch Series 3?
The Series 3 is an excellent choice for iPhone users who want a capable, reliable smartwatch that can stand on its own when needed. It’s especially well-suited to people who are serious about fitness tracking, those who want to stay connected during workouts without carrying a phone, and anyone who values the convenience of Apple Pay and hands-free communication.
If you’re new to smartwatches and want to explore what they can do, the Series 3 is an accessible and well-rounded entry point. And if you’re upgrading from an older Apple Watch, the cellular connectivity and performance improvements alone make a compelling case. To explore more about the latest developments in consumer technology and wearables, it’s worth keeping up with ongoing coverage as the category continues to evolve.
Conclusion
The Apple Watch Series 3 delivers on its promise of being a smartwatch that can genuinely keep up with your life. The addition of LTE connectivity is a game-changer for people who want to stay reachable without being tethered to their phone. The health and fitness tools are accurate, motivating, and easy to use. Performance is smooth, the design is polished, and the integration with the broader Apple ecosystem is seamless.
It still has limitations — battery life under heavy use and the need for a carrier data plan among them — but these are reasonable trade-offs for what you get in return. The new features are thoughtfully designed around both fitness and everyday convenience, and the familiar favorites like Siri and Apple Pay are better than ever.
If you’re looking for a smartwatch that can genuinely enhance your health, keep you connected, and fit naturally into your daily routine, the Apple Watch Series 3 is absolutely worth considering.
