When Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 3, it marked a major turning point in the evolution of wearable technology. More than just an incremental update, Series 3 brought significant improvements in performance, connectivity, and everyday usability—pushing the Apple Watch closer to being a truly independent device.
With faster speeds, optional cellular connectivity, and refined health and fitness features, the Apple Watch Series 3 strengthened Apple’s position as a leader in the smartwatch market and expanded what users could expect from a wearable device.
A New Chapter for the Apple Watch
Before the Series 3, Apple Watch models relied heavily on being tethered to an iPhone. While useful, they functioned mainly as companions rather than standalone devices. Apple Watch Series 3 changed that narrative by introducing built-in cellular connectivity on select models.
This meant users could:
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Make and receive calls
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Send messages
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Stream music
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Use apps
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Receive notifications
—all without having their iPhone nearby. For the first time, the Apple Watch felt genuinely freeing.
Cellular Connectivity: Freedom Without the Phone
One of the biggest highlights of the Apple Watch Series 3 was the LTE cellular option. Apple managed to integrate cellular technology without sacrificing design or battery life.
How It Worked
The cellular model used an electronic SIM (eSIM) and cleverly turned the display into an antenna. This engineering innovation allowed Apple to maintain the watch’s slim profile while adding powerful connectivity.
With cellular enabled, users could:
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Go for a run without carrying a phone
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Stay connected during workouts or errands
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Stream Apple Music directly to Bluetooth headphones
This feature alone redefined how people used smartwatches.
Faster Performance with the S3 Chip
Apple Watch Series 3 was powered by the new dual-core S3 processor, delivering a noticeable performance boost over previous models.
Benefits of the S3 chip included:
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Faster app launches
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Smoother animations
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Improved responsiveness
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Better Siri performance
Apps that once felt slow now loaded quickly, making everyday interactions feel fluid and natural.
Improved Siri Experience
With Series 3, Siri became faster and more useful than ever. Requests were processed more quickly, and Siri could even respond with voice feedback directly from the watch.
Users could:
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Ask for directions
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Set reminders
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Control music
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Check weather and messages
—all without pulling out their phone. This hands-free convenience made the Apple Watch more practical in daily life.
Fitness and Health at the Core
Apple continued to focus heavily on health and fitness, which remained central to the Apple Watch Series 3 experience.
Activity Tracking
The watch tracked:
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Steps
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Calories burned
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Exercise minutes
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Stand hours
The familiar Activity Rings motivated users to stay active throughout the day.
Workout Modes
Apple Watch Series 3 supported a wide range of workouts, including:
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Running
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Cycling
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Swimming
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High-intensity interval training
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Walking
Built-in GPS allowed for accurate distance and pace tracking without an iPhone.
Heart Rate Monitoring
The Series 3 featured an advanced heart rate sensor that continuously monitored heart rate throughout the day and during workouts.
Key benefits:
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Improved workout insights
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Better calorie estimates
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Alerts for unusually high heart rates
This focus on heart health reinforced Apple’s growing emphasis on wellness and preventive care.
Design: Familiar but Refined
Visually, the Apple Watch Series 3 stayed true to Apple’s recognizable design language. It featured:
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Rounded edges
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A bright Retina display
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Lightweight aluminum and stainless-steel options
The cellular model included a subtle red dot on the Digital Crown, signaling its enhanced capabilities while keeping the design minimal and elegant.
Water Resistance and Durability
Apple Watch Series 3 was water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and everyday water exposure.
This durability made it a reliable companion for:
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Workouts
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Outdoor activities
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Daily wear
watch Enhancements
Running on watch, the Series 3 benefited from software improvements that enhanced usability and performance.
watch features included:
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Improved app layout
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Enhanced notifications
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Better integration with Apple Music
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Faster syncing with iPhone
The combination of powerful hardware and optimized software delivered a smooth user experience.
Battery Life and Charging
Despite its added cellular capabilities and faster processor, Apple Watch Series 3 maintained strong battery life. Apple designed it to last a full day of typical use, including workouts and cellular activity.
Smart power management ensured that performance improvements didn’t come at the cost of reliability.
Apple Watch Series 3 in the Market
At launch, Apple Watch Series 3 appealed to:
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Fitness enthusiasts
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Busy professionals
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Runners and outdoor users
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Anyone seeking phone-free convenience
Its combination of performance, connectivity, and health features made it one of the most compelling smartwatches of its time.
Why Apple Watch Series 3 Mattered
The Apple Watch Series 3 wasn’t just another upgrade—it was a statement. It demonstrated Apple’s vision of a future where wearable devices could stand on their own.
Key takeaways:
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Introduced true independence with cellular connectivity
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Delivered major performance improvements
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Strengthened Apple’s focus on health and fitness
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Expanded the role of smartwatches in everyday life
Final Thoughts
When Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 3, it pushed the boundaries of what a smartwatch could do. By combining faster performance, optional cellular connectivity, and powerful health features, Apple created a device that felt more personal, more capable, and more freeing than ever before.
The Apple Watch Series 3 played a crucial role in shaping the future of wearables—and its influence can still be seen in modern Apple Watch models today.