Hands-On With the New LTE-Enabled Apple Watch Series 3

With the new LTE Series 3 Apple Watches now out in the wild, we got our hands on one of the new devices to give MacRumors readers a closer look at its design, features, and improvements compared to previous-generation Apple Watch models.

In the video below, we took a look at one of the new 42mm Aluminum Sport models connected to the AT&T network.


Design wise, the new Apple Watch LTE models are almost identical to the Series 2 models, with the exception of a 0.25mm thicker back glass that houses the heart rate sensors and the glaringly red Digital Crown that denotes its LTE status.

That red Digital Crown definitely stands out, and it's kind of a love it or hate it aspect of the new Apple Watch.

Inside, the Apple Watch Series 3 is sporting an upgraded S3 processor, and this thing is fast. It's noticeably quicker than the Series 2 Apple Watch and if you're coming from a Series 0 or a Series 1, you're going to see some serious speed gains.

Quite a few new LTE Apple Watch owners have been running into activation issues trying to get their new devices set up, but we had no problems getting it connected to the AT&T network and up and running. When using cellular, it's going to drain a decent amount of battery, so while this watch can work without an iPhone, you're still going to want one around at least some of the time.

The Series 3 Apple Watch can be purchased from the online Apple Store and Apple retail stores around the world starting today. There are both LTE and non-LTE models available, with LTE models starting at $399 and non-LTE models starting at $329. LTE models are largely sold out and harder to come by, so you may need to wait a few weeks to get your hands on one.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro and Air Feature

Two iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air Colors Appear to Scratch More Easily

Friday September 19, 2025 10:02 am PDT by
As reported by Bloomberg today, some of the new iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air models on display at Apple Stores today are already scratched and scuffed. French blog Consomac also reported on this topic. The scratches appear to be most prominent on models with darker finishes, including the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in Deep Blue, and the iPhone Air in Space Black. Images Credit: Consoma ...
iOS 26

Everything New in iOS 26.1 Beta 1

Monday September 22, 2025 12:44 pm PDT by
Apple released the first beta of iOS 26.1 today, just a week after launching iOS 26. iOS 26.1 mainly adds new languages to Apple Intelligence, but there are a few other features that are worth knowing about. New Apple Intelligence Languages Apple Intelligence is now available in Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese. AirPo...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone Like 'Two Titanium iPhone Airs' Joined at the Hinge

Monday September 22, 2025 2:16 am PDT by
Next year's rumored foldable iPhone will showcase an ultra-thin design resembling "two titanium iPhone Airs side-by-side," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in the Q&A section of his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says Apple's first foldable device will be "super thin and a design achievement," combining Apple's thinnest iPhone form factor with cutting-edge folding...
Apple Intelligence General Feature 2

iOS 26.1 Adds New Apple Intelligence Languages and Expands AirPods Live Translation

Monday September 22, 2025 11:15 am PDT by
With iOS 26.1, Apple Intelligence is gaining support for additional languages, including Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese. Apple announced plans to expand the languages that can be used with Apple Intelligence last year, and now the added language support is here. Apple Intelligence is now available in the following...
apple tv 4k new orange

Next Apple TV Expected to Launch This Year With These New Features

Monday September 22, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
The next Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Likely Features N1 Chip With Wi-Fi 7 Last year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the next Apple TV would be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, which is...
iPhone 17 Pro and Air N1 Feature

Some iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone Air Users Experiencing Intermittent Wi-Fi Issue

Monday September 22, 2025 8:44 am PDT by
Apple's latest iPhone models launched on Friday, and some early adopters of the devices are experiencing intermittent Wi-Fi issues. Affected customers say Wi-Fi connectivity periodically cuts out on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air, with hundreds of comments about the issue posted across the MacRumors Forums, Reddit, and the Apple Support Community over the...
iOS 26

iOS 26.0.1 Coming Soon, Likely With iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Fix

Thursday September 18, 2025 9:17 am PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 26.0.1, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of sharing information about future iOS versions. The update will have a build number of 23A350, or similar, the account said. It is likely that iOS 26.0.1 will fix a camera-related bug on the new iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models. In his iPhone Air review, CNN Underscored's Henry T. ...

Top Rated Comments

douglasf13 Avatar
104 months ago
my grandfather always told me - only 3 types of watches. Disposable, Dress and the ones you buy to leave your grandkids.

A $399 chunky gadget watch made in Taiwan is non of those. well, unless you the kind of person who thinks coca-cola is a dinner drink.
I’m sure he would’ve thought spending hundreds on a phone is crazy, too. Times change, and wristwatches themselves have only been around a hundred years, and they were initially looked down on by pocket watch wearers.
Score: 45 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dampfnudel Avatar
104 months ago
The red dot sticks out like a sore thumb. Anyone else hopes it gets removed for Series 4?
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
skids929 Avatar
104 months ago
So is mine! I can't fathom, not even one need to have a watch with LTE, I always have my phone with me.
If you were a runner you wouldn't say that. Carrying your phone when you run is an encumberment no matter how you look at it. For anyone who exercises will appreciate the LTE, and that's a huge segment of the population. Apple knows what they are doing and who they are targeting with this device. It's NOT aimed at the dodo that wants to talk to his/her wrist, it's aimed to move the needle in fitness wearable market and take on the competition. e.g. Garmin.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
artfossil Avatar
104 months ago
I want.

But my damn Original Apple Watch keeps working flawlessly!
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
artfossil Avatar
104 months ago
Sore thumb :D. Good.

But seriously, Sharpie?
Sharpie, enamel paint, vinyl sticker . . . So many possibilities.

Send me your watch and for $100 I guarantee you’ll never see red again!
[doublepost=1506133185][/doublepost]
For sure. While it might work for a sport watch, those of us who went with stainless steel, Hermes, etc. or who want to wear the Apple Watch in a boardroom-type situation simply couldn't do so with the red dot. And for those suggesting a Sharpie, that's not exactly the ideal solution with a nice watch. The red dot is an abomination and must be destroyed.
Speaking just for myself, I’ve been in a lot of boardrooms. And I care much more about what you say than what you wear.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lloydbm41 Avatar
104 months ago
For sure. While it might work for a sport watch, those of us who went with stainless steel, Hermes, etc. or who want to wear the Apple Watch in a boardroom-type situation simply couldn't do so with the red dot. And for those suggesting a Sharpie, that's not exactly the ideal solution with a nice watch. The red dot is an abomination and must be destroyed.
Im laughing at this post. If you have people in your board room concerned about a red dot more so than the actual work, then im guessing your company is failing.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)