The Apple Watch Series 3 is a groundbreaking piece of wearable technology that revolutionized the smartwatch market when it was released. With enhanced fitness tracking, communication capabilities, and integration with the iPhone ecosystem, the Series 3 became one of the most sought-after devices for both fitness enthusiasts and tech lovers alike. Even though newer models of the Apple Watch have been released since, the Series 3 continues to hold a significant place in the market.
In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the key features and functionalities of the Apple Watch Series 3, and explain what it can do for its users. From fitness tracking and notifications to communication features, the Series 3 brings numerous capabilities to your wrist. This article will provide a detailed analysis of each major function and highlight how this device can enhance your daily life.
What Does the Apple Watch Series 3 Do
Overview of the Apple Watch Series 3
The Apple Watch Series 3, introduced in 2017, was the third iteration of the Apple Watch. It featured several important updates compared to its predecessors, including the introduction of cellular connectivity for the first time, as well as improved performance, a faster processor, and a more refined design. The Series 3 was built to cater to a wide range of users, from fitness buffs to tech enthusiasts, offering both the standard version and the cellular version.
Design and Display
- Size and Shape: The Apple Watch Series 3 retains the classic rectangular shape of its predecessors. It was offered in two sizes: 38mm and 42mm. While the design wasn’t drastically different from earlier models, the Series 3 improved on the durability and performance.
- Display: The watch is equipped with a Retina display that’s brighter than its predecessors, making it easier to see outdoors. The display also supports Force Touch, which allows you to interact with the interface through pressure-sensitive input.
- Water Resistance: Like previous models, the Series 3 is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities.
Key Features of the Apple Watch Series 3
The Apple Watch Series 3 offers a wide range of functionalities, including features that enhance both fitness tracking and connectivity. Here’s an in-depth look at the key features:
2.1 Fitness and Health Tracking
One of the standout features of the Apple Watch Series 3 is its comprehensive fitness and health tracking capabilities.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: The watch includes an optical heart rate sensor to measure your heart rate throughout the day. It continuously tracks your heart rate during exercise and can alert you if your heart rate is unusually high or low. This feature makes it especially useful for monitoring overall health.
- Workout Tracking: The Series 3 offers a variety of workout tracking modes, including running, cycling, swimming, and more. With its built-in GPS (for the GPS model), the watch tracks distance, pace, and route without needing to rely on your iPhone.
- Activity Rings: Apple introduced the Activity Rings feature on the Apple Watch, which encourages users to complete three daily goals: Move, Exercise, and Stand. The rings give a visual representation of progress and motivate users to stay active throughout the day.
- Barometric Altimeter: The Series 3 also includes a barometric altimeter, which helps track elevation during outdoor activities, such as hiking or climbing stairs.
- Swim Tracking: With its 50-meter water resistance rating, the Series 3 tracks your swimming workouts, including laps, calories burned, and average lap pace. It also records the number of strokes taken during each lap, helping swimmers keep track of their performance.
Communication and Connectivity
The introduction of cellular connectivity on the Apple Watch Series 3 was a game-changer. This feature allowed the watch to operate independently of your iPhone in certain situations, especially for making calls, sending texts, and using apps.
- Cellular Connectivity (Cellular Model): The cellular version of the Apple Watch Series 3 allows you to make and receive phone calls, send and receive texts, and use apps directly from your watch, even when your iPhone is not nearby. This is achieved through eSIM technology, which lets the watch connect to cellular networks, just like a phone.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: When the cellular network is unavailable, the Series 3 can still connect to Wi-Fi networks to send and receive messages, notifications, and calls, as long as the connected iPhone is within reach.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: When the Series 3 is paired with your iPhone, it uses Bluetooth to synchronize notifications, messages, and data. Bluetooth allows the Apple Watch to seamlessly integrate with your iPhone, even when the watch isn’t connected to a cellular network.
- Notifications and Alerts: The Apple Watch Series 3 delivers timely notifications for texts, emails, calendar events, and more. You can customize your alerts, including vibration intensity, to suit your preferences. Notifications are easy to interact with, allowing you to reply to texts or emails right from your wrist.
Siri Integration
Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, is integrated into the Apple Watch Series 3. You can interact with Siri by raising your wrist or using the “Hey Siri” voice command. Siri can help with a variety of tasks, such as setting reminders, sending messages, checking the weather, or controlling music playback.
-
Voice Commands: Using Siri on the Series 3 is highly convenient as it allows for hands-free operation. For example, you can ask Siri to send a text, control music volume, or even get real-time news updates without touching the watch.
Music and Podcasts
The Apple Watch Series 3 lets you stream and control music directly from your watch, especially when paired with Apple Music. This means you can listen to music while exercising or running without needing to carry your iPhone with you.
-
Offline Music: If you don’t have an iPhone nearby, you can also sync playlists directly to the watch and listen to music offline.
-
Podcasts: The Series 3 also supports podcast streaming and syncing, so you can listen to your favorite podcasts on the go, whether or not your iPhone is with you.
Apple Watch Series 3 Battery Life
Battery life is one of the key selling points of the Apple Watch Series 3. The device provides an all-day battery life of up to 18 hours, depending on usage. This includes time spent on workouts, using apps, receiving notifications, and using Siri.
For cellular models, battery life may be slightly less due to the added power required for cellular connectivity. However, the battery life is still sufficient for a full day of usage and can last longer during periods of lighter use, such as when only using the watch for fitness tracking and notifications.
Apple Watch Series 3 Compatibility
The Apple Watch Series 3 is compatible with a wide range of iPhones running iOS 11 or later. This compatibility allows users to seamlessly integrate the watch with their iPhone, receiving notifications and syncing data such as activity progress and heart rate.
If you have an older iPhone model, it’s important to check the compatibility before purchasing the Apple Watch Series 3, as some features may not be fully functional on older versions of iOS.
Apple Watch Series 3 Price and Models
The Apple Watch Series 3 is available in two main models:
-
GPS Model: This model connects to your iPhone via Bluetooth and is priced at a lower cost compared to the cellular version. It is a great option if you don’t need independent calling or data capabilities.
-
GPS + Cellular Model: This version offers cellular connectivity, allowing the watch to operate independently from your iPhone for making calls, sending texts, and using data. It is slightly more expensive than the GPS-only model but offers added convenience and flexibility.
Conclusion: Why Choose the Apple Watch Series 3?
The Apple Watch Series 3 is an excellent choice for those looking for a feature-rich, durable, and affordable smartwatch. With its ability to track fitness, make calls (in the cellular version), provide notifications, and integrate seamlessly with your iPhone, it remains one of the best options in the smartwatch market, even as newer models are released.
For fitness enthusiasts, the Series 3 offers robust tracking features, including heart rate monitoring, GPS for outdoor workouts, and swim tracking. For those who want a more independent experience, the cellular model provides the freedom to make calls and use apps without needing your iPhone nearby.
The Apple Watch Series 3 strikes the perfect balance between functionality, performance, and price, making it a great option for users who want the essential features of an Apple Watch without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a fitness fanatic or just looking for a smart device to stay connected, the Series 3 remains a top choice in the world of wearables.