According to CNET reporter Vanessa Hand Orellana, Apple has officially unveiled the Apple Watch Series 12 alongside the Apple Watch SE 3, maintaining a starting price of $399 for the flagship model while offering a more economical alternative starting at $249. Buyers weighing these two current wearable options face distinct trade-offs in materials, health sensors, display technology, and battery capabilities.
Design, Display Materials, and Weight Differences
The Apple Watch Series 12 retains a rectangular OLED Retina display reaching up to 2,000 nits of brightness with rounded edges, available in 42mm and 46mm sizes, as reported by CNET. Alongside standard aluminum and titanium finishes, Apple introduced a ceramic case option in pearl white and night blue, reminiscent of the 2019 Apple Watch Series 5. CNET notes that the ceramic build adds noticeable weight: the 42mm aluminum model weighs 32.2 grams, titanium measures 36.5 grams, and pearl white ceramic reaches 41.7 grams (with the night blue hue at 42.8 grams).
By contrast, CNET points out that the Apple Watch SE 3 uses an always-on LTPO OLED display topping out at 1,000 nits of brightness across 40mm and 44mm sizes. Built from 100% recycled aluminum in midnight or starlight, the SE 3 is substantially lighter than the Series 12, weighing 26.4 grams for the 40mm version and 33 grams for the 44mm variant. Both wearables carry an IP6X dust-resistance rating and 50-meter water resistance, though CNET states the Series 12 utilizes Ceramic Shield 2 glass while the SE 3 features Ion-X cover glass rated four times more resistant to cracks than the SE 2.
Health, Fitness, and Sensor Capabilities
According to CNET’s hardware breakdown, the Series 12 includes a second-generation electrical heart sensor, an always-on optical heart sensor, a temperature sensor, a water temperature sensor, and a depth gauge. While it lacks on-the-spot blood pressure monitoring, CNET reports that it can analyze data to detect signs of hypertension to assist physician diagnoses. The Series 12 also supports deep water activities, featuring a depth app to 6 meters.
The Apple Watch SE 3 lacks the electrical heart sensor, ECG app functionality, atrial fibrillation detection, water temperature sensor, and depth gauge found on the Series 12, according to CNET. However, it retains a second-generation optical heart sensor for tracking heart rate during workouts and sleep. Both models include standard emergency tools such as fall detection, emergency SOS, crash detection, and Check-In, as verified by CNET.
Battery Life, Processors, and Performance Specs
Battery performance varies between the two models, with CNET noting a 24-hour battery life and fast-charging capability from 0% to 80% in 30 minutes for the Series 12. The Apple Watch SE 3 provides an 18-hour all-day battery life and fast charges to 8 hours of normal use in 15 minutes, according to CNET.
Under the hood, CNET reports that the Series 12 runs on the new S11 chip with a 64-bit dual-core processor and includes an Ultra Wideband chip enabling high-frequency heart rate readings every 5 seconds. The SE 3 ships with an S10 chip featuring a 64-bit dual-core processor, a W3 Apple wireless chip, and 64 gigabytes of storage, but omits the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for precise location tracking, according to CNET.
Pro Tip: When choosing between these models based on CNET’s specifications, consider whether specialized aquatic sensors, an ECG reader, and precise Ultra Wideband location tracking justify the $150 price gap over the baseline SE 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting price of the Apple Watch Series 12?
According to CNET, the starting price of the Apple Watch Series 12 remains at $399.
How much does the Apple Watch SE 3 cost?
According to CNET, the Apple Watch SE 3 starts at $249.
Does the Apple Watch SE 3 support ECG readings?
No. According to CNET, the SE 3 lacks the electrical heart sensor required to take ECG readings or detect signs of atrial fibrillation.
What are the size options for the Apple Watch Series 12?
According to CNET, the Series 12 is available in 42mm and 46mm sizes.
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