Apple Watch Series 3
Apple Watch Series 3 (38 mm, 42 mm), Retina OLED Display with 1,000 nits Peak Brightness, Apple S3 Dual-Core Processor, W2 Wireless Chip, Built-in GPS and Barometric Altimeter, Optical Heart Rate Sensor, 50-Meter Swim-Proof Water Resistance, Optional LTE Cellular, Aluminum and Stainless Steel Case Design.
Overview
The Apple Watch Series 3 brought major architectural leaps to Apple's smartwatch lineup, introducing optional LTE cellular connectivity, a faster S3 dual-core processor, a barometric altimeter for elevation tracking, and Siri voice feedback.
A comprehensive overview of its design, specifications, software, and pricing details includes:
1. Design and Build
- Form Factor: Iconic rectangular aluminum or stainless steel chassis featuring curved edges and a physical Digital Crown.
- Dimensions & Weight: Available in compact 38mm and larger 42mm case configurations.
- Materials: Anodized aluminum or premium stainless steel paired with durable Ion-X or sapphire crystal glass displays.
- Ingress Protection: Swim-proof water-resistant rating up to 50 meters under ISO standard 22810:2010.
2. Display Technology
- Main Display: Bright Retina OLED display with Force Touch sensing.
- Key Display Features: Brightness reaching up to 1,000 nits peak outdoor output for high visibility under sunlight.
3. Performance & Hardware
- Processor: Powered by the Apple S3 dual-core processor and the custom W2 wireless chip for 85% faster Wi-Fi efficiency.
- Storage Capacity: 8 GB storage for GPS models and 16 GB for GPS + Cellular models.
- Connectivity: Integrated GPS, GLONASS, Barometric Altimeter, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi, and optional LTE cellular.
4. Health and Fitness Sensors
- Fitness Tracking: Activity rings, custom workout modes (running, swimming, yoga), and automatic workout detection.
- Health Monitoring: Optical heart rate sensor with high/low heart rate notifications and irregular rhythm alerts.
5. Battery and Charging
- Battery Life: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery delivering up to 18 hours of normal everyday usage.
- Charging: Magnetic charging cable support.
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Technical Specifications
Building upon the foundational overview, this technical deep-dive specification sheet provides a granular look at the hardware architecture, display calibrations, sensor arrays, audio profiles, and environmental ratings of the Apple Watch Series 3.
1. Detailed Dimensions and Build Quality
- 38mm Case: Height: 38.6 mm x Width: 33.3 mm x Depth: 11.4 mm; Weight: ~26.7g (GPS) / ~28.7g (Cellular)
- 42mm Case: Height: 42.5 mm x Width: 36.4 mm x Depth: 11.4 mm; Weight: ~32.3g (GPS) / ~34.9g (Cellular)
- Chassis & Materials: Aluminum with Ion-X glass, or Stainless Steel with sapphire crystal display covers.
- Water Resistance: 50 meters water-resistant rating suitable for shallow water activities.
2. Advanced Display Specifications
- Panel Type: Retina OLED display with Force Touch.
- Resolutions: 272 x 340 pixels (38mm) / 312 x 390 pixels (42mm); ~303 ppi density.
- Brightness: 1,000 nits peak brightness.
3. Processor and Architecture
- System on Chip (SoC): Apple S3 dual-core processor with W2 wireless chip.
- RAM & Storage: 768 MB RAM; 8 GB (GPS) or 16 GB (Cellular) internal storage.
4. Comprehensive Sensor Suite
- Health & Location: GPS, GLONASS, Barometric Altimeter, optical heart rate sensor.
- Motion: Ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope.
5. Battery and Power Management
- Battery Capacity: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery (~279 mAh for 38mm / ~341 mAh for 42mm).
- Usage Ratings: Up to 18 hours of everyday battery life.
6. Connectivity and Networking
- Wireless: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz), Bluetooth 4.2, NFC.
- Cellular Models: Optional LTE and UMTS cellular support.