iOS Today 772: Choosing a New Apple Watch
Hosts: Micah Sargent & Rosemary Orchard
Date: October 2, 2025
Overview
In this focused and consumer-friendly episode, Micah and Rosemary break down the newest Apple Watch lineup, announced at the latest Apple event. They dissect the distinctions between the Apple Watch SE3, Series 11, and Ultra 3, providing guidance for different types of users contemplating an upgrade or first-time purchase. The conversation is peppered with practical tips, hands-on experiences, and clear, engaging explanations. They also answer listener questions about battery life and notification quirks, making this episode a must-listen for anyone eyeing a new Apple Watch.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Current Apple Watch Lineup: Series 11, SE3, Ultra 3
[03:36]
- Series 11: Available in 4 aluminum colors (rose gold, silver, space gray, jet black) and 3 titanium finishes (slate, gold, natural).
- SE3: Entry-level model with a lower price point and two color options (midnight, starlight).
- Ultra 3: Top-tier, sport-focused with standout features (largest screen, most battery, extra water resistance).
Micah Sargent:
"Apple announced the Apple Watch SE3, which is the new, least expensive model, the Apple Watch Series 11, which is its standard model, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which is that sport watch, very complex model." [03:36]
2. Key Feature Comparisons
Display & Materials
- Brightness:
- Ultra 3: 3,000 nits
- Series 11: 2,000 nits
- SE3: 1,000 nits
- Case Sizes:
- SE3 & Series 11: 42mm and 46mm
- Ultra 3: 49mm only
- Materials:
- SE3: Nylon composite back (more prone to scratches)
- Series 11: Metal and sapphire crystal
- Ultra 3: Ceramic and sapphire crystal
Battery Life:
- SE3: ~18 hours
- Series 11: 24 hours
- Ultra 3: Up to 42 hours
- Larger cases (46mm/49mm) yield longer battery spans.
Health Features:
- Shared: Sleep tracking, sleep apnea notifications, heart rate, respiratory rate, cycle tracking, emergency SOS
- Exclusive (Series 11 & Ultra 3):
- ECG
- Hypertension notifications
- Blood oxygen monitoring
- Precision finding with Ultra Wideband
- Depth gauge and water temperature sensor (Ultra 3 to 40m; Series 11 to 6m)
- Emergency SOS via satellite (Ultra 3 only)
- SE3 Lacks: ECG, blood O2, some navigation, depth/water temp sensors.
Micah:
"Only the Series 11 and the Ultra 3 offer what's called precision finding... Ultra is the only one that offers it [emergency SOS] via satellite." [07:40]
3. Who Should Buy Which Model?
SE3: Value-Conscious & Everyday Users
[17:01]
- Great for first-timers or those with older watches not needing advanced health sensors.
Micah:
"If you want to, if you're someone who dives or snorkels, then you would want to at least go to the Series 11… If you like the idea of being able to precisely find your iPhone… SE3 does not have that." [17:01]
Rosemary:
"The screen is also not quite as bright... if you're working in bright sunlight, that extra brightness could be really useful." [21:04]
Series 11: For Most Users
- Adds ECG, blood O2, better display, longer battery, more case/strap choices.
Ultra 3: Adventurers, Athletes, and Battery Buffs
[21:34]
- Bigger and brighter screen, top battery, exclusive features for rugged activities.
Micah:
"Much bigger screen, 49mm case… If you are outside a lot… Ultra 3 has a far brighter screen... it also has a built-in siren… for lost and found situations.” [21:34]
Rosemary (on the Ultra's size):
"If you have small wrists... it is the size of my wrist... if you stick the Ultra on my wrist, then it's like I have a second wrist stuck to my wrist... It's humongous." [27:37]
4. Upgrading: Should You or Shouldn’t You?
[10:55, 29:58]
- Only significant leap for those with older watches (e.g., SE1/2, Series 6 or before).
- Ultra/Ultra 2 users see minimal upgrade incentive.
- Battery and certain health sensor needs can guide the decision.
Rosemary:
"If you're looking at upgrading, how old is your current watch? Is it supported?" [10:55]
"Coming from an Apple Watch 10…not enough to say I'm definitely upgrading this year." [10:55]
Micah:
"If you've got the Ultra or the Ultra 2, don't really feel like you need to upgrade." [29:58]
5. Real-world Battery Life and Charging Habits
[13:10]
- Apple quantifies “all-day battery life” by actual usage metrics (checks, notifications, workouts).
- Larger watch = larger battery.
Notable Listener Insight:
Listener Dale details advanced battery-saving practices, such as always-on low power mode and using automation to put the phone into airplane mode at home.
Micah:
"I love that Apple has quantified what all day battery life looks like." [13:10]
6. Listener Feedback: Notification Bugs & Troubleshooting
[32:14 - 40:14]
- Dale struggles with iMessage threads that ignore "hide alerts" on a mix of newer and older Apple devices.
- Rosemary suggests older hardware (Series 4 Watch, iMac 2017) might not sync notification settings properly, causing issues.
- They propose temporarily removing old devices, checking iMessage settings, and looking at the “Mentions” feature and notification mirroring.
Rosemary:
"I have a feeling, Dale, that your Watch Apple Watch Series 4 and your iMac 2017 are part of the problem here..." [36:53]
Micah:
"Notification mirroring... can get a little confusing and complex..." [40:14]
Notable Quotes
-
On Upgrade Timing:
"For me... this year is not a year that I'm upgrading. However, next year will almost certainly be an upgrade year."
— Rosemary Orchard [10:55] -
On SE3 Value:
"I don't think you need the Series version. I think the SE version is fine for you."
— Micah Sargent [09:38] -
On the Ultra's Size:
"It's humongous. That is the one thing I hate about the Ultra ... I wish they offered an Ultra Mini, an Ultra Micro, an Ultra Nano. That would be awesome."
— Rosemary Orchard [27:37]
Key Timestamps
- [03:36] – Overview of new models and basic differentiation
- [07:40] – Detailed specs and features (displays, sensors, materials)
- [10:55] – Upgrade considerations by current watch version
- [13:10] – Battery life breakdown and Apple’s testing methodology
- [17:01] – Deep dive on SE3 and who should (and shouldn’t) buy it
- [21:34] – Series 11 vs. Ultra 3: Premium features and user personas
- [27:37] – Rosemary’s candid take on the Ultra’s fit for small wrists
- [29:58] – Closing thoughts on upgrading and lineup maturity
- [32:14] – Listener feedback: advanced battery life hacks
- [36:53] – Notification troubleshooting: mixing old and new devices
- [47:30] – App Cap: Cassette Home Video Player app recommendation
App Cap Recommendation
Cassette Home Video Player (by Devin Davies)
- Organizes and plays back your video memories in a retro, nostalgic format.
- Available on Mac, iPhone, iPad. Free with optional paid upgrades.
"You can look through your videos…organized by year, and play them back just one after the other as if it's just this whole stream of the year."
— Micah Sargent [47:30]
Conclusion
This episode offers a practical, user-focused breakdown of Apple’s 2025 Watch lineup, guiding listeners through both the technical specs and the “should I upgrade?” dilemma. The hosts’ candid experiences — especially Rosemary’s on fit and wrists — round out the conversation, making the recommendations accessible for all Apple Watch buyers. The Q&A section further cements the episode’s value for real-world Apple users navigating device quirks.
Find Rosemary: [rosemaryorchard.com]
Find Micah: [Chihuahua.coffee]
Be sure to check out MacBreak Weekly and other TWiT shows for deeper dives into the Apple ecosystem.