Apple
2025-09-11T19:49:44Z
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Apple announced a slew of new devices on September 9, including a new Apple Watch Series 11 and a new Apple Watch SE. The new wearables boast more robust health tracking than ever, additional workout features, and more, enticing shoppers to reserve a watch now. I’ve broken down how to preorder the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE below to help you get started.
Although it’s not available until September 19, the latest Apple Watches can be preordered now directly from the Apple Store. If you have an old Apple Watch or smartphone, you can even trade it in to save on a new one.
Keep scrolling for all the details on securing a new Apple Watch, including where to preorder and how much old devices can be worth as trade-ins. If you’re after the fitness-feature-rich model, be sure to take a look at our guide to the Apple Watch Ultra 3 preorders.
Apple Watch Series 11 preorders
Shortly after the announcement, the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE 3 both opened for preorder online.
The latest Apple Watch shares a lot of physical similarities with its predecessors but boasts new features like better battery life, new gestures, and 5G connectivity.
Though it looks very similar to earlier models, the Series 11 Apple Watch includes new gestures and improved battery life compared to its predecessors.
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Apple Watch SE 3 preorders
The Apple Watch SE 3 marks the most capable generation of the brand’s budget smartwatch yet. It now comes powered by the S10 chip, with better battery life, and more.
The most affordable of the recent Apple Watch lineup, the SE 3 still offers powerful S10 chip performance, better battery life, and an always-on display.
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Should you want to take the watch online when away from your phone, supported carriers include T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and Boost Mobile. You must ensure that you buy the model marked as GPS+Cellular to enable this feature, and then take out a plan for the device, typically as an add-on to your mobile deal. Eligible trade-ins can also help you save hundreds on your order.
What’s the trade-in value of my current device?Previous-gen Apple Watch: Up to $335iPhone 16 Pro Max: Up to $700iPhone 16 Pro: Up to $580iPhone 16 Plus: Up to $470iPhone 16: Up to $450Samsung smartphone: Up to $590Google smartphone: Up to $435Apple computer: Up to $2,520Apple iPad: Up to $695
What’s new in the Apple Watch 11 and Apple Watch SE?
Apple
With every new generation, Apple introduces new features to its wearables, and this year is no different. The Series 11 doesn’t introduce many new hardware changes but includes 5G that may entice shoppers, while the SE 3 adopts many features previously locked to more expensive Apple Watches. Here’s what sets the new models apart.
Apple Watch 115G performance: For the first time, the Apple Watch offers 5G connectivity for better connection than ever. Even in areas with poor reception, you can rely on your watch to keep you connected on calls, to online music streaming, and more.Hypertension notifications: Introduced with the Series 11, newer Apple Watches can now notify you when your vitals suggest symptoms of hypertension. This isn’t exclusive to the latest generation.Longer battery life: As one would expect from a new wearable, the Series 11 now boasts up to 24 hours of battery life on a single charge — 6 more than its predecessor. In Low Power mode, it can last up to 38 hours.Wrist flick gesture: The new wrist flick gesture makes it easier than ever to dismiss notifications and silence alarms. Now you can do so without ever using your other hand.Apple Watch SE 35G capability: Luckily, Apple didn’t lock its new 5G smartwatch tech to the more expensive models — the SE 3 can also make use of the more powerful connectivity that the Series 11 can.Always-On Retina display: The Apple Watch SE features the brand’s Always-On display, a feature missing from the SE 2. As the title suggests, the display remains on even when the watch isn’t in use, but at a lower brightness.More robust health tracking: The newest SE is now adopting some of the features previously locked to pricier models, including sleep apnea notifications, more vitals app measurements, temperature sensing, and retrospective ovulation estimates for menstruating wearers.Upgrade to the S10 chip: Jumping ahead by two generations compared to its predecessor, the SE 3 will come with Apple’s latest S10 chip built in, matching the Series 11 and Ultra 3.More gestures and better Siri: Finally, the SE 3 also includes a new wrist-flick gesture for easy notification dismissal, double-tap, and on-device Siri with health data access. Again, this matches the Series 11, making this budget model even more worthwhile.
Sarah Saril
Editor, Deals and How to Watch
Sarah is a Deals Editor for Business Insider’s Reviews team. She also supports our how-to-watch and streaming coverage. She never pays full price if she can help it and is an expert at finding and vetting the best discounts. ExperienceSarah joined the Business Insider Reviews team in 2020, starting as a deals reporter covering the best deals and steals daily. She later migrated to the tech team, where she researched, tested, and reviewed a variety of devices, from gaming mice to Kindle e-readers. Now, she’s returned to her origins, serving as the deals editor to curate only the best discounts and buying advice for readers. She began her career in service journalism in 2018 at Wirecutter as a deals writer, where she absorbed the history of the most frequently discounted products. This has informed her impeccably high standards for what makes a good deal. Ever since her Wirecutter days, Sarah has been an expert deals curator for tentpole sale days like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Following her weekly contributions to Business Insider’s Newsletter will illuminate new ways to get the best value on products you use every day. Why you can trust SarahSarah doesn’t recommend any deal she wouldn’t pay for herself. She is skeptical about the advertising language brands use to tout their sales and utilizes all the price-checking tools to ensure they deliver savings.ExpertiseDeal hunting and vettingE-readersGaming accessoriesSmart home devicesConcert ticketsTravel bookingsStreaming services EducationSarah graduated from the California State University of Fullerton with a degree in Marketing. She lives in Southern California and is the proud pet parent of two German Shepherds and one chihuahua. She loves traveling to try delicious food, is skilled in crocheting and sewing, and enjoys reading horror novels (as long as they don’t keep her awake).Say hi (or send a picture of your pet) to Sarah at ssaril@businessinsider.com, or reach her on Twitter at @sarahhahr. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Business Insider here.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
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