Apple Watch Series 3

Description

Watch Series 3 Availability and Price in Kenya

The Apple Watch Series 3 was announced at Apple’s September 2017 event, introducing built-in cellular connectivity to Apple Watch for the first time. This landmark release allowed users to make calls, stream music, and receive notifications directly from their wrist without needing their iPhone nearby. Available in 38mm and 42mm sizes, the Series 3 established Apple Watch as a truly independent device.

Design & Build Quality

The Apple Watch Series 3 maintained Apple’s premium watch design language in aluminium and stainless steel cases, with the addition of a tiny LTE antenna visible in the red dot on the Digital Crown.

Key Design Features

• 38mm or 42mm aluminium or stainless steel case
• Ion-X glass (aluminium) or sapphire crystal (stainless steel)
• Red Digital Crown dot indicating cellular model
• Multiple band options including Sport Band, Milanese Loop, and leather
• Space Black stainless steel with matching black band option
• 70+ watch face options
• 50 metres water resistance (WR50)

Display

The OLED Retina display delivered sharp, bright visuals in the Force Touch-enabled square design, with the always-on ambient light sensor adjusting brightness automatically.

Display Features

• OLED Retina display
• Force Touch pressure-sensitive display
• Ion-X glass protection (aluminium models)
• Sapphire crystal (stainless steel models)
• Ambient light sensor for auto-brightness
• Digital Crown navigation

S3 Dual-Core Performance

The dual-core S3 processor delivered up to 70% faster performance than the Series 1 chip, making app launches and navigation noticeably snappier.

Performance Features

• Dual-core S3 processor
• Up to 70% faster than Series 1
• W2 wireless chip for improved Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
• Barometric altimeter for floor counting
• Built-in GPS and GLONASS
• 16GB storage

Health & Fitness Sensors

The Series 3 offered heart rate monitoring and activity tracking as its core health features, establishing the foundation for the health platform Apple Watch would build on in subsequent years.

Health Sensor Features

• Optical heart rate sensor
• Continuous heart rate monitoring
• High and low heart rate notifications
• Activity rings (Move, Exercise, Stand)
• Workout tracking (running, cycling, swimming, gym)
• Accelerometer and gyroscope for activity detection
• Calorie and step counting

Safety Features

Emergency SOS was available over cellular without the iPhone present — a meaningful safety advancement for users who exercised or adventured alone.

Safety & Emergency Features

• Emergency SOS via cellular (no iPhone needed)
• Fall detection not yet available (added in Series 4)
• GPS tracking for location sharing
• Cellular call capability for emergencies

Battery Life & Charging

The Series 3 delivered up to 18 hours of all-day battery life, with the LTE radio managed intelligently to preserve battery when cellular was not actively in use.

Charging Features

• Magnetic charging cable (included)
• Wireless magnetic inductive charging
• Approximately 2.5 hours to full charge

Battery Improvements

• Up to 18 hours all-day battery
• Cellular intelligently activates only when needed
• Power Reserve mode extends to 72 hours (time only)

Connectivity

The Series 3 was the first Apple Watch with built-in LTE cellular, enabling true iPhone-independent use for calls, messages, and music streaming.

Connectivity Features

• Built-in LTE/UMTS cellular (GPS + Cellular model)
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz
• Bluetooth 4.2
• GPS and GLONASS built-in
• NFC for Apple Pay
• Shares iPhone number (one number, two devices)

watchOS Experience

watchOS 4 launched with the Series 3, introducing a redesigned Siri watch face, improved GymKit compatibility for gym equipment, and enhanced heart rate notifications.

watchOS Features

• watchOS 4 (upgradable to watchOS 8)
• Siri watch face with proactive information
• GymKit for gym equipment connectivity
• High and low heart rate notifications
• Auto-workout detection
• New watch faces and complications

Conclusion

The Apple Watch Series 3 was a defining moment in wearable technology — the addition of built-in cellular made Apple Watch a genuinely independent device, capable of keeping users connected and safe even when their iPhone was left behind. At Simu Store Kenya, the Series 3 represents an accessible entry point into the Apple Watch ecosystem.