Apple Watch Series 3 38mm: Still Worth It?

Hey guys! Let's dive deep into the Apple Watch Series 3 38mm, a smartwatch that, despite its age, still pops up in conversations. Is it still worth considering in today's market? We're going to break down everything you need to know, from its design and features to its performance and value proposition. This review is going to cover all aspects of the watch to give you a clear picture of what to expect if you are thinking about grabbing one for yourself. So, let’s get started and see if the Apple Watch Series 3 38mm is a viable option in 2024. Buckle up; it's going to be a fun ride!

Design and Build Quality: A Familiar Face

The Apple Watch Series 3 38mm boasts a design that is instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with Apple's smartwatch lineup. It sports a sleek, rectangular aluminum case with rounded corners, a design language that has become a hallmark of the Apple Watch series. The build quality is excellent, as we've come to expect from Apple. The aluminum case feels solid and well-constructed, providing a premium feel. The display is covered with Ion-X glass, which offers decent scratch resistance, though it's always a good idea to be mindful of bumps and scrapes. The Digital Crown and side button are present, allowing for easy navigation through the watch's interface. The 38mm size is compact and lightweight, making it comfortable to wear, especially for those with smaller wrists.

One of the significant advantages of the Series 3's design is its compatibility with a wide range of Apple Watch bands. You can easily swap bands to match your style or activity, from sporty silicone bands for workouts to more elegant leather or metal bands for everyday wear. This versatility is a major plus, as it allows you to customize the watch to fit your personal preferences. The design, while not the newest, still holds up well. It's clean, minimalist, and functional. There's a timeless quality to it that means it doesn't look overly dated despite being a few years old. The screen is bright enough for outdoor viewing, though it's not as vibrant or edge-to-edge as the displays on newer models. The bezels are more prominent, which is a noticeable difference when compared side-by-side with more recent Apple Watch iterations. However, it's still a very practical and aesthetically pleasing design. You will not feel like you are wearing some bulky device that is going to be a nuisance; instead, it is lightweight and comfortable. The Apple Watch Series 3 38mm still has a place in the market due to its simple, yet effective design. Overall, the design and build quality are solid, offering a comfortable and stylish smartwatch experience. Its familiar design and band compatibility are definite wins. For someone looking for a simple and light smartwatch, this is a great choice.

Display and User Interface: Navigating the Watch

The Apple Watch Series 3 38mm features a Retina display that, while not as advanced as those on newer models, still gets the job done. The display is bright and sharp enough for most uses, making it easy to read notifications, view workout data, and interact with apps. The screen is responsive and the touch controls are accurate, ensuring a smooth user experience. The bezels around the display are noticeable, but they don't significantly detract from the overall viewing experience.

Navigating the user interface is intuitive and straightforward, thanks to the watchOS operating system and the Digital Crown. The Digital Crown allows you to scroll through menus, zoom in and out, and select items with ease. The side button provides quick access to frequently used features, such as the dock and emergency SOS. watchOS offers a clean and user-friendly interface that is easy to learn and navigate. The watch is responsive, even though it's running on older hardware. Apps load quickly and the user interface feels fluid.

Customization options are available for watch faces, allowing you to personalize the look and feel of your watch. You can choose from various watch faces and complications, which provide quick access to information such as the date, time, activity rings, and other useful data. Notifications are displayed clearly and organized effectively, making it easy to stay informed without constantly checking your phone. The Apple Watch Series 3 38mm also supports a wide range of apps through the App Store, so you can expand the functionality of your watch with fitness tracking, communication, and other useful tools. You'll find it easy to perform most of the tasks you need directly from the watch, which is really convenient. Compared to modern smartwatches, the display may seem a bit outdated, but it’s still highly functional. Overall, the display and user interface offer a functional and user-friendly experience, making the Apple Watch Series 3 38mm a pleasure to use on a daily basis. The ease of use and the responsive interface are its strengths.

Performance and Features: What Can It Do?

So, what about the performance of the Apple Watch Series 3 38mm? Under the hood, it's powered by an older S3 chip with a dual-core processor. The performance is generally sufficient for everyday tasks, such as checking notifications, tracking workouts, and using basic apps. You might experience some occasional lag or delays when running more demanding apps or switching between tasks, but it's generally still usable.

The Apple Watch Series 3 38mm comes with a range of features, including fitness tracking, heart rate monitoring, and GPS. The fitness tracking features allow you to monitor your daily activity, track workouts, and set fitness goals. The heart rate monitoring feature provides real-time heart rate data and can alert you to any irregularities. The GPS allows you to track your outdoor workouts without needing your phone, which is very handy for runners and cyclists. You can also use it to receive calls, send texts, and listen to music (if you have the cellular version or have downloaded music to the watch). It also has Apple Pay, which is a huge plus for making quick and easy payments.

However, it's worth noting that the Apple Watch Series 3 38mm is not compatible with the latest watchOS updates, which means you won't get access to the newest features and improvements. It also lacks some of the advanced health features found on newer models, such as blood oxygen monitoring and ECG. You also will not get the increased processing power or the larger storage of the later versions. The battery life is decent, typically lasting around a day with moderate use. You can get a full day's use from it, provided you are not pushing it too hard with GPS tracking or other power-intensive tasks. Compared to the latest Apple Watches, the performance is certainly slower, but it's still capable of handling basic tasks. You can still track your fitness goals, monitor your heart rate, and receive notifications without any major issues. Overall, the performance and features of the Apple Watch Series 3 38mm are acceptable for the price.

Battery Life: Keeping Up with Your Day

When it comes to battery life, the Apple Watch Series 3 38mm offers a decent performance, but it's not going to blow you away. Apple claims that you can get up to 18 hours of battery life with typical use. In practice, this means you can expect to get through a full day with moderate usage, including checking notifications, tracking workouts, and using some apps. However, if you are a heavy user who frequently uses GPS, makes calls, or streams music, the battery life may be shorter. It is also important to note that the battery performance will likely degrade over time. The watch has a rechargeable battery, and like all batteries, its capacity will diminish with each charging cycle. Over time, you may notice that the battery life decreases, and you may need to charge the watch more frequently.

Compared to newer Apple Watch models, the Apple Watch Series 3 38mm's battery life is a bit behind. The latest models offer improved battery efficiency and longer battery life, allowing you to go for a day and a half or even longer on a single charge. However, the Series 3 still holds its own. The charging process is simple. The watch comes with a magnetic charging cable that attaches to the back of the watch. It takes approximately two hours to fully charge the watch from 0% to 100%. The battery life of the Apple Watch Series 3 38mm is perfectly fine for most users. If you are a light to moderate user, you will get a full day's use. If you are a heavy user, you may need to charge it more often.

Is the Apple Watch Series 3 38mm Worth Buying in 2024? Value Proposition

So, the big question: Is the Apple Watch Series 3 38mm worth buying in 2024? This depends on your individual needs, budget, and expectations. First, the price is generally lower than the latest Apple Watch models, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. It offers a good value proposition for those looking for a basic smartwatch experience without spending a fortune. However, it's important to consider that it is an older model, and it may not offer all the latest features or performance improvements. If you're looking for the newest technology, advanced health features, and top-of-the-line performance, you're better off with a newer model, such as the Apple Watch SE or the Apple Watch Series 8. However, the Apple Watch Series 3 38mm still has its advantages.

It offers a solid core set of features, including fitness tracking, heart rate monitoring, GPS, and notifications. It's also comfortable to wear, easy to use, and compatible with a wide range of Apple Watch bands. It's a great option if you're new to the Apple Watch ecosystem and want to try out a smartwatch without making a significant investment. Also, it’s a good choice if you're not particularly concerned about having the latest features and want a reliable and functional smartwatch for everyday use. Before you buy, consider what you want to use the watch for. If you plan to heavily rely on advanced health features, you'll be better served by a newer model. But if you just want a simple smartwatch that does the basics, the Apple Watch Series 3 38mm could still be a good fit. To sum it up, the Apple Watch Series 3 38mm is a good choice if you are just getting into the Apple Watch scene and want a cost-effective option. If you are someone who is looking for the latest and greatest, then it might be best to pass on this version. It's a solid, functional smartwatch at a more accessible price point.

Pros and Cons: A Quick Summary

Pros:

• Affordable: Significantly cheaper than newer Apple Watch models.
• Comfortable Design: Lightweight and comfortable to wear.
• User-Friendly: Easy to set up and navigate.
• Fitness Tracking: Tracks basic activity and workouts.
• Wide Band Compatibility: Compatible with a variety of Apple Watch bands.

Cons:

• Outdated: Older hardware and software.
• Limited Features: Lacks advanced health features of newer models.
• Slower Performance: Can experience lag with certain apps.
• No WatchOS Updates: No longer receives the latest software updates.

Conclusion: A Smart Choice on a Budget?

Alright, guys, let's wrap this up! The Apple Watch Series 3 38mm is a testament to the fact that even older tech can still hold its own. It might not be the flashiest smartwatch on the market, but it still delivers a solid user experience, especially if you're on a budget or new to the Apple Watch game. It's a great option if you are looking for an affordable entry point into the smartwatch world. However, if you are looking for the absolute latest features and cutting-edge performance, you might want to consider a newer model. But for those who just want a reliable and functional smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 3 38mm remains a viable option in 2024, offering great value for your money. So, is it worth it? If you can find it at a good price, absolutely! It's a functional, reliable smartwatch that can do the job if you just need the basics.