You’ve probably seen them sitting in the back of a junk drawer or listed for $40 on Facebook Marketplace. We’re talking about the Apple Watch Series 3. Honestly, in a world where the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Ultra 3 are the shiny new toys, the "Series 3" sounds like a relic from a different era. But is it?
People tend to be pretty binary about old tech. It’s either "vintage gold" or "e-waste." The truth is actually somewhere in the middle.
Released way back in September 2017, this was the watch that basically changed everything for Apple. It was the first one to let you leave your phone at home thanks to that red-dotted Digital Crown and built-in LTE. It felt like the future then. Now, it feels like a very stubborn piece of hardware that refuses to quit.
The Software Wall is Real
Let's get the bad news out of the way first. If you're looking for the latest watchOS 26 features—the ones with the fancy AI Workout Buddy or the "Vitals" app—you aren't going to find them here. The Apple Watch Series 3 is stuck in time.
It officially stopped receiving major updates after watchOS 8.8.1. That means no Snoopy watch face. No double-tap gestures. No NameDrop. Basically, if the feature was invented after 2021, your Series 3 hasn't heard of it.
The S3 chip inside was a beast for its time. It was 70% faster than the Series 2, which was a massive jump. But today? It struggles. Opening the Workout app can sometimes take five seconds. That doesn't sound like much until you're standing on the sidewalk in your running shoes waiting for the "3... 2... 1..." countdown to actually appear.
The Storage Nightmare
If you own the GPS-only model, you know the pain. That version only came with 8GB of internal storage. Because the operating system takes up so much room, updating the software used to require a full "unpair and restore" process. It was a mess.
The LTE version was slightly better with 16GB, but even that is tiny by 2026 standards. Most of that space is gone before you even think about syncing a podcast.
Why Some People Still Swear By It
Despite the lag, there’s a reason you still see these on people's wrists at the gym. It’s built like a tank.
Specifically, the Series 3 was the last model to feature the "chunky" 38mm and 42mm design before Apple moved to the rounded, edge-to-edge screens of the Series 4 and beyond. Some people actually prefer the smaller footprint. It doesn't scream "I am wearing a computer" quite as loudly as a 49mm Ultra 3 does.
- Heart Rate Tracking: It’s still remarkably accurate. For basic zone training, the optical heart sensor holds its own against newer models.
- Water Resistance: It’s rated for 50 meters. You can still take it in the pool.
- Battery Longevity: Surprisingly, many Series 3 units with 80% battery health can still make it through a full day of "dumb" watch use.
If all you want is to see your text messages, track a walk, and pay for a coffee with Apple Pay, it still works. Sorta.
The 2026 Reality Check
We have to be realistic here. Using an Apple Watch Series 3 in 2026 is a bit like driving a car with a cassette player. It'll get you to the grocery store, but you’re missing out on the backup camera and the heated seats.
The screen is the biggest giveaway. It’s a standard Retina OLED, but it lacks the "Always-On" capability found in the SE 3 or the Series 11. To see the time, you have to do that exaggerated wrist-flip. Sometimes you have to do it twice because the sensors are getting a bit tired.
Also, the health tech is limited. You won't get:
- ECG (Electrocardiogram)
- Blood Oxygen monitoring
- Temperature sensing for cycle tracking
- Fall Detection or Crash Detection
If you’re buying this for an elderly parent specifically for the safety features, stop. It doesn't have the hardware to save them in a fall. You’re much better off finding a refurbished SE 2 or SE 3 for that.
Is it Worth Anything Now?
From a resale perspective, the Series 3 has basically bottomed out. You can find them for the price of a couple of pizzas.
If you already own one and it’s still ticking, keep using it until the battery expands or the screen pops off. There is something satisfying about getting nearly a decade of use out of a piece of wearable tech. But don't buy one new-in-box. Some third-party retailers still try to offload "new" Series 3 stock, and it's a trap. The battery has likely degraded just sitting in the box for five years.
Better Alternatives for the Budget-Conscious
If you want that classic Apple Watch feel without the 2017 headaches, look at these:
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- Apple Watch SE (3rd Gen): This is the current "budget" king. It has the S10 chip, an always-on display, and will get updates for years.
- Refurbished Series 6 or 7: These are the "sweet spot." You get the modern design, fast charging, and ECG for a fraction of the original price.
Actionable Steps for Series 3 Owners
If you are still rocking the Series 3 in 2026, here is how to keep it alive:
Disable Background App Refresh. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn it off completely. This saves the precious S3 processor from trying to do too much at once.
Stick to Simple Watch Faces. Avoid the "Infograph" or data-heavy faces. Use "X-Large" or "Modular." The fewer complications the watch has to update, the smoother it will feel when you raise your wrist.
Clean the Sensors. Over the years, "wrist gunk" can build up on the back crystal. Give it a wipe with a damp lint-free cloth to keep that heart rate monitor accurate.
Check Battery Health. If your "Maximum Capacity" is below 75%, it’s time to retire it. At that point, the watch might randomly shut down during a workout, which is just frustrating.
The Apple Watch Series 3 had a legendary run—longer than almost any other model in Apple's history. It proved that a smartwatch could be a standalone device. But in 2026, it’s gracefully entering its "vintage" era. Use it for what it is, but don't expect it to keep up with the modern world.