Apple Officially Discontinues Apple Watch Series 3

With the launch of the new Apple Watch Series 8 models and the updated Apple Watch SE, Apple has officially discontinued the outdated Apple Watch Series 3 that was being sold as a low cost $199 option.

apple watch series 3
Available since 2017, the Apple Watch Series 3 had the same design as the original Apple Watch models and did not sport the larger casings that Apple started introducing with the Series 4 models. It was the first Apple Watch to offer cellular connectivity when it launched.

The Apple Watch Series 3 featured an Apple S3 chip, which is an older, slower Apple Watch chip variant. The Apple Watch Series 3 never offered much in the way of performance, and compared to modern Apple Watch models, it was notably underpowered. We have not recommended the Apple Watch Series 3 as a purchase option for the last few years, and its age became something of a joke.

Apple sold the Apple Watch Series 3 for $199, and it could be found even lower from third-party retailers hosting sales. Apple's low-cost Apple Watch option is now the $249 ‌Apple Watch SE‌, which features a newer chip than the Apple Watch Series 3 and a more modern design.

We were expecting the discontinuation of the Apple Watch Series 3 as the device is not able to run watchOS 9, which is compatible only with the Series 4 and later. The Series 3 is limited to watchOS 8 and will receive no further major operating system updates. Prior to the launch of the Series 8 models, the Series 3 was already selling out and many variants were out of stock.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

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Top Rated Comments

james2538 Avatar
37 months ago
Thank god!

It was absolutely shameful this was still being sold up until the announcement even though it won't be receiving WatchOS updates anymore.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TigerNike23 Avatar
37 months ago
Slight nitpick… it was released in 2017, not 2015.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B4U Avatar
37 months ago
About everyone here knows in regards to the Series 3 is essentially ↓
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nymphe Avatar
37 months ago

I've never had that issue! I've got 3 with cellular. Not sure if that made a difference...!
It does. Cellular model had 16 GB of space instead of 8 GB if I remember correctly. The lack of space was the main reason for failed software updates...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TigerNike23 Avatar
37 months ago

I own a Series 3 and I've been unable to determine if it will still communicate with my iphone 13 when I update it to iOS 16 next week. Has anyone found documentation about compatibility between iOS 16 and watchOS 8?
It should. I’m still rocking a Series 1 with watchOS 6, paired to a XS Max on iOS 15.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
D-ConYT Avatar
37 months ago

Slight nitpick… it was released in 2017, not 2015.
dang it, you beat me to it!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)