Apple, much as they have with smartphones and tablets, seem to be taking over the world of GPS and smartwatches device after device. The Series 3, interestingly, seems to still be selling well despite having been first released back in 2017 – more than four years on the market, and many are still referring to this particular watch as the blueprint for the best in Apple wearables.
Of course, the Apple Watch 6 was a big diversion for many people, thanks to its oxygen technology and its streamlined features. However, the Watch 3 remains popular thanks to its accessibility and connectivity – there really does seem to be plenty of life left in this watch, and for that reason, I thought I’d take a closer look.
More About The Apple Watch Series 3
Sleek, user-friendly and more than just a watch, the Series 3 remains an ultra-modern piece of kit that really doesn’t look like it came out of the last decade. It’s a highly technical and scalable piece of kit, which will appeal to Apple fans out of the box – but beyond that, it’s become a market leader thanks to its broad-ranging appeal to all kinds of demographics.
The Series 3 brought fitness tracking into the mainstream, with altitude and pacer functions working well to help even novice users keep an eye on how they are exercising from day to day. The 3 also syncs well with iPhones and iPads, and at the time of writing, there is still support for the device with WatchOS.
But why should you consider going for a cheaper Series 3 as opposed to a high-end Series 6?
Specifications and Essential Facts
- Manufacturer: Apple
- Weight: 1.87oz
- Dimensions: 1.67 inches x 1.43 inches x 0.45 inches
- Added Features: Sleep monitor, GPS, switchable wristbands, water resistance, exercise tracking, heart rate monitor, iPhone compatibility, altimeter, retina display, 8GB storage, music
What are the Best Features / Main Selling Points of the Apple Watch Series 3?
Where do you even start with Apple technology? Apple products are inherently designed to offer ease of use from the get-go, aiming to become part of your daily routine with very little hassle. The Watch 3 is designed to not only be a fitness tracker, but also an extension of the apps and features you’ll know and love on the iPhone and iPad.
For example, it’s easy to hook up a Bluetooth headset or a pair of earphones to this watch and load up your favorite music through streaming. You’ll have access to all the entertainment features you’d expect from Apple’s iOS, meaning you can also hook up your watch to your phone so that you can screen and reject calls at your leisure.
The GPS element to the Apple Watch 3 is pretty impressive, though as this technology is approaching five years old, it’s probably a good idea to look for something a bit more intensive if you really want the top tracking.
The same applies to the heart monitor – it really is accurate, and it’s a great feature overall – but the 6 just seems to do this side of things that a little better (as you might expect).
It’s great to be able to set alarms and reminders on your watch, too, and if you already have these good to go across multiple Apple devices, it’s not hard to sync up.
I like the fact that the Apple Watch 3 is water resistant. I certainly wouldn’t class it as a diving watch, and I really wouldn’t consider taking it anywhere wetter than, say, a swimming pool. It works well as a swim tracker, but you probably shouldn’t hold it under for too long.
The amount of data you can crunch from the Apple Watch 3 is amazing – and you can read all of this back on your iPhone or MacBook as and when you like.
What are the Benefits of Using the Apple Watch Series 3?
The Apple Watch 3 was a landmark occasion for Apple fans interested in wearable tech. Watches 1 and 2 had a few issues that 3 streamlined, and as such, it’s remained the cornerstone model for a few years now.
The Watch 6 has made big strides since then, though then again, so did Watch 5. My point is – Watch 3 changed the way we wear our tech, and as such, it’s one of the most intuitive, user-friendly smartwatches you’ll ever hope to wear.
It has that great Apple charm, and what’s more, it’s very easy to learn how to use. Swiping from app to app is a breeze, and if you do want to listen to podcasts on a run without having to fumble around for your phone, your wish is absolutely granted.
It pretty much takes away the need to fuss around with a smartphone altogether. Plenty of other fitness watches and wearables do that, but the Watch 3 opened things up to a lot of people.
Watch 3 is a very forgiving piece of technology. That means, even if you do make a mistake, you won’t find it too hard to drop back and find a new way of trying again. It’s also amazingly customizable, meaning that if style is just as important to you as function, I can safely say this will be a perfect pick.
However, as mentioned multiple times – I’d only really sway towards the Watch 3 if you are looking for something simple and instantly usable – and affordable. The Watch 6 does everything the 3 does with extra accessibility and efficiency.
Does the Apple Watch Series 3 Have Any Drawbacks?
As with many Apple products, the battery life of the Watch Series 3 is pretty drab. There are many more fitness trackers and GPS watches out there that last for days without charging. As the Watch 3 is getting on in years, too, you can probably expect to have to charge it up at least twice a day to make the most of it.
There’s also the fact that some find the screen here to scratch quite easily. I dare say that’s a bit of a problem that’s been ironed out with new releases. Taking care of your tech is a must, but this seems to be a common complaint.
Finally, there are always going to be some of us that simply don’t get on well with Apple products. There’s a reason why so many people stick with Android or Windows for their tech elsewhere – not that there’s anything intrinsically wrong with Apple, but as they say, there’s something for everyone.
Conclusion – Should I Buy The Apple Watch Series 3?
You should absolutely buy a Watch Series 3 if you’re new to smartwatches and GPS trackers. The Watch 3 was a trailblazer, and while it’s getting on in years, it still has a lot of impressive touches.
That said, it’s starting to show its age compared to the Watch 6, so if you really want to have access to the best in Apple GPS tech, it’s worth saving up for newer releases. If that’s not so much of a problem for you, you’ll be delighted with the Series 3.
