Apple Watch Series 3 review: Still a terrific smartwatch for the price

![][1]

The [Apple Watch Series 4][2] has been with us for almost a year now, but the two-year-old Series 3 remains an excellent option, especially as prices are falling.

It's worth noting that the Series 2, Series 1 and the original Apple Watch have all been discontinued, leaving the Series 3 as the entry-level option.

The Series 3 runs the same software as the Series 4 - [watchOS 5][3], soon to be [watchOS 6][4] - so the difference in use is fairly negligible. And, like the Series 4, it's also available in two variants; GPS only and GPS and cellular.

Design and internal specs are the chief differences between the generations; the new watch is bigger for one thing. For a full rundown of the differences between them check out [Apple Watch Series 4 vs Series 3][5].

## Design

* 38mm and 42mm sizes
* 4G cellular option available
* Colour options: Silver/Space grey aluminium
* Red dot on digital crown symbolises cellular

The Apple Watch Series 3 is available in both 38mm and 42mm watch sizes, both 2mm smaller than their Series 4 equivalents.

The glaring red dot on the digital crown symbolises the cellular 4G/Cellular functionality added to the Series 3. (It has been toned down for Series 4 and is now more of an outline). For the most part, the spot of colour is a bit of fun, but it does clash with some band colours, of course.

* [Best GPS running watch: The best sports watches to buy today][6]

Since the Series 4 emerged, the Series 3 is now only available in silver and space grey aluminium finishes. There's also a Nike+ version (as there is with the Series 4).![][7]

As there's zero design change to the Series 3 case from earlier versions, if you have existing bands from the original or Series 2 these will still fit. The bands are also compatible with the newer Series 4.

## 4G connectivity

* Available on EE and Vodafone in the UK
* You need your iPhone to be on one of those networks

The stand-out feature of the Watch Series 3 at launch was its 4G connectivity in the GPS+Cellular version, enabling you to ditch your iPhone completely should you wish to go for a run without it.

There's a full 4G LTE and UMTS cellular radio antenna hidden in the display, which kicks into action the moment you step away from your iPhone.

Available on EE, O2 Vodafone currently, the system works with [eSIM technology][8] and shares the same number as your iPhone. So the Watch Series 3 doesn't have an interchangeable SIM that you can swap out at a whim.

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The built-in eSIM is one-hundredth of the size of a traditional SIM, which is one of the reasons Apple hasn't needed to increase the size of the device. In the UK, you'll pay an additional £5 a month to enable connectivity, but that's the only cost you'll have to incur aside from your regular phone bill. In the US all four major networks are covered.

Such connectivity can be used to make calls, receive messages, stream Apple Music (no, not Spotify yet), listen to podcasts or access Maps.

The call interface is basic but easy-to-use thanks to a number pad. You can, of course, call contacts or favourites, even more so if you've got a Bluetooth headset connected to the Apple Watch - such as the [Apple AirPods][10].

![][11]

A swipe up from the bottom of the screen shows you the Watch Control Center, and it's here the Watch 3 tells you what the connectivity is like - whether that's Wi-Fi, phone, or 4G.

Call quality is clear, surprisingly so given the size of the device, and if you don't have headphones then you'll find yourself holding your watch arm up to your shoulder across your chest - we certainly did.

For the most part, the technology works as you would expect. The antenna in the Watch Series 3 works well, but depends entirely on available coverage.

![][12]

While the initial problems of connecting to captive Wi-Fi networks, like those found in Starbucks, have now been fixed, there are still some problems that exist with the Apple Watch.

* [Apple Watch Series 5: What we want to see][13]

Many of the Watch apps available still require you to have the phone connected. Streaming music via Apple Music is great, especially if you want to listen to something that you've not previously had the foresight to download onto the Watch. But being limited to Apple Music is a bit of a pain. The Spotify app works OK, but only over Wi-Fi.

The Apple Watch can't roam either, because it doesn't support global bands outside of its country. While we admit this is a first world problem and one that isn't likely to affect the majority of users, it's worth mentioning that if you travel out of the UK or US you won't be able to go solo with your watch.

![][14]

What is cool, though, is that you don't have to have your iPhone anywhere near you for the Watch to work after the initial setup.

That opens up lots of possibilities and is super for exercise. You're still able to call a taxi when your phone has died and able to not have your phone on you all the time in fear of missing that important message or call.

## Specs and battery life

* Better wireless performance than before
* Excellent Bluetooth pairing
* Happily lasts well into a second day of use

While the design didn't change over the previous generation of the Apple Watch (the now defunct Series 2), Apple made plenty of changes inside. Powering Apple Watch Series 3 is the S3, Apple's third-generation dual-core watch processor. The upgrade helped app launch times, enables smoother graphics and brings talking Siri to the watch using the built-in speaker. She is as clear as she is on the iPhone.

Apple also improved the wireless chip too. The W2 chip delivers 85 per cent faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0. Connecting to a pair of Bluetooth headphones takes a fraction of a second while connecting to the AirPods is totally seamless.

![][15]

In daily use, the Series 3 happily lasts for at least a day and usually quite a bit into the next - even with a GPS-recorded walk or run (auto-workout tracking is now enabled from watchOS 5). Just remember to take your charger for those long weekends away from home.

The Apple Watch Series 3 also features a barometric altimeter that assists with tracking activity, flights of stairs climbed and outdoor workouts, including elevation gain.

This is most interesting to cyclists, skiers and boarders. It's a popular feature on high-end sports watches, like the [Garmin Forerunner 935][16] or [TomTom Adventurer][17], too.

## Music and podcasts on Apple Watch

* Apple Music works on the watch on and offline
* Spotify app now being released
* Podcasts app also works

If you have the 4G/Cellular version of the watch you can stream Apple Music's 40 million songs on the go - without having to use an iPhone. In practice and it's a great feature but not an essential one, especially if you are good at planning. What it does mean is that mid-run or workout you can change the music without having to worry whether or not you've synced that song to the watch already. It's pure decadence, but it works really well.

WatchOS 5 also introduced support for Podcasts. Sadly, these features are only limited to these Apple apps for now, though we're still expecting Spotify's Apple Watch app to support listening via cellular at some point.

## watchOS 5 on Series 3

* Automatic exercise detection
* Siri watch face now more useful
* Walkie Talkie app not so useful

[watchOS 5][3] is a definite improvement over the original Series 3 software, not least because it can now detect workouts you haven't manually started.

There are also new workouts for yoga and hiking as well as target pacing for runners and rolling mile data. The Siri watch face now works with [Siri Shortcuts][18] and so is way more useful - Siri can now also be invoked simply by raising your wrist.

Notifications are now also a lot better with more interactions. The Walkie Talkie app has also come to Series 3 but it's not that useful. And, as we said above, you can now sync podcasts to Apple Watch, too.

URL: https://www.pocket-lint.com/smartwatches/reviews/apple/142228-apple-watch-series-3-review

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