Apple Watch Series 3 review: A good watch, a so-so phone replacement
![Apple Watch Series 3 review: A good watch, a so-so phone replacement](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/F256iZZtWIA.FXsDE1R84Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyMDA7aD03NjM-/https://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/55da31f681ea77373213048f96a30f09/205721004/_MG_3128.jpg)
With each generation, the Apple Watch's purpose has seemed to shift. The first one demonstrated what Apple thought a wearable should be, and the second tried to be the perfect workout companion. When it came time to build the Series 3, though, Apple took everything it got right with the fitness-friendly Series 2, polished it up, and threw an LTE radio inside.
And lo, the $399 Apple Watch Series 3 became the first of a new breed of Apple devices -- it straddles the line between smartwatch and phone, with a dash of iPod thrown in for good measure. For those who'd rather play it safe, Apple also built a $329 Series 3 with just GPS and no cellular connection. In fact, that safe bet will probably pay off for most people -- the cellular Series 3 is a little too inconsistent for my taste.
With each generation, the Apple Watch's purpose has seemed to shift. The first one demonstrated what Apple thought a wearable should be, and the second tried
![](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/06gOrEoZ0zOVrXxmUDCL68y-11.fit_lpad.size_625x365.v1569474097.jpg)
Apple Watch Series 3 Review
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xNDN7VCHTLuYNcnbZx9gtU-1200-80.jpg)
Apple Watch Series 3 review
![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hsEyDPjT8IA/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEhCK4FEIIDSFryq4qpAxMIARUAAAAAGAElAADIQj0AgKJD&rs=AOn4CLCreUal-J3iIV4HGLPqXJCduOkvaw)
Apple Watch Series 3 in 2023
![](https://www.apple.com/v/apple-watch-series-9/b/images/overview/gestures/kinetic-tap-tap_fallback__lufv77h9z3ey_large.png)
Apple Watch Series 9 - Apple (UK)
![](https://imageio.forbes.com/blogs-images/davidphelan/files/2017/09/IMG_0098.jpg?format=jpg&height=900&width=1600&fit=bounds)
Apple Watch Series 3 First Review: Is Cellular Connectivity Really
![](https://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Apple-Watch-Series-3-Review-7.jpg?fit=1500%2C1000&p=1)
Apple Watch Series 3 Review
![](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/F256iZZtWIA.FXsDE1R84Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyMDA7aD03NjM-/https://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/55da31f681ea77373213048f96a30f09/205721004/_MG_3128.jpg)
Apple Watch Series 3 review: A good watch, a so-so phone replacement
Apple Watch Series 3 review: A good watch, a so-so phone replacement
![](https://images.macrumors.com/t/CBWD_ziAfgQSnj41cUFBJ135yRM=/1600x/article-new/2017/09/apple-watch-series-3-trio.jpg)
Apple Watch Series 3 Owners Now Required to Perform Restore When
Apple Watch Series 3 review: A good watch, a so-so phone replacement
![](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/ee850b707bcbcd3293e336d3870bf6dbdb09841d/hub/2017/09/18/468df134-8345-4af7-babc-0cfbb144a73a/apple-watch-series-3-13.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Still the best smartwatch, but the Fitbit Versa is a close second
Buy Apple Watch Series 9 - Apple (SG)
![](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/7e4afb161fcd6f6054150979e101e0488aca68f0/2023/09/13/7b4446f4-c204-4e26-991f-cba6241049ff/apple-watch-ultra-2-2.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=238.5&width=459)
The best smartwatches of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed