Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) vs. Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) and Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS). Compare sizes, functions, displays, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right smartwatch for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the watch that will best fit your needs.

Smartwatch Specifications Comparison

Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) vs. Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) Comparison Chart
GENERAL Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Product Type Smart watch Smart watch
Operating System WatchOS 5 WatchOS 10
Supported Host Device OS iOS 11 or later iOS 17 or later
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Audio Input Microphone Microphone
Audio Output Speaker Speaker
Width 33.3 mm -
Height 38.6 mm -
Depth 11.4 mm -
Weight 26.7 g -
Body Details - Case only: 31.9 g
Body Material Anodised aluminium 100% recycled aluminium
Protection Water-resistant Water-resistant, dust-resistant, crack-resistant
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Sensors Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, gyro sensor, heart rate, barometric altimeter Digital compass, electrical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, optical heart sensor (3d gen), always-on altimeter, temperature sensor, high-g accelerometer, gyroscope with high dynamic range
Tracking Data Distance, time, calories burned, activity, heart rate, steps taken Distance, time, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, sleep stages, menstrual cycle, ECG, ovulation phase, mental wellbeing
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features Music remote handling, camera remote control, listening to music, Retina Display technology, call alerts Fall detection, Emergency SOS, brightness: 2000 nits, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint, fast charge, precision finding for iPhone, elevation view
Notifications Calendar, SMS, Email Calendar, SMS, Email, applications, high and low heart rate, irregular rhythm, cardio fitness
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) GPS/GNSS receiver GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou/QZSS receiver
Payment Technology - Apple Pay
Internet of Things (IoT) Compatible - Yes
IoT Intelligent Assistant Siri Siri
IoT Voice Controlled Direct Direct
CONNECTIVITY Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Wireless Interface IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2 IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth 5.3
DISPLAY Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Type OLED - colour Retina LTPO OLED - colour
Resolution 272 x 340 pixels 352 x 430 pixels
Screen Protection Ion-X glass Ion-X glass
Always On Display (AOD) - Yes
INPUT DEVICE Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Type Touch sensitive screen (Force Touch) Touch sensitive screen, side button, double tap gesture
CASE Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Case Size 38 mm 41 mm
Case Shape - Rectangular
Case Back Composite back Sapphire crystal and ceramic back
Case Details Space grey aluminium | Silver aluminium | Gold aluminium Starlight aluminium | Red aluminium | Midnight aluminium | Pink aluminum | Silver aluminium
Crown Type Digital Digital with haptic feedback
BAND Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Band Type Sport band Sport band
Band Size - M/L
Fits Wrist with Circumference 130-200 mm 150-200 mm
Changeable - Yes
Clasp Type Pin-and-tuck Pin-and-tuck
Band Material Fluoroelastomer Fluoroelastomer
Band Colour Black | White | Fog | Pink sand | Grey Starlight | Red | Midnight | Light pink | Storm blue | Winter blue
STORAGE Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Storage Capacity 8 GB 64 GB
CPU Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Manufacturer Apple Apple
CPU Type S3 S9 SiP
Features W2 Apple wireless chip W3 Apple wireless chip, second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, 4-core Neural Engine
BATTERY Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 18 hours 18 hours
Battery Life Details - Typical usage - up to 18 hour(s)
Low power mode - up to 36 hour(s)
Rechargeable Battery - Yes
Wireless Charging - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Included Accessories Power adapter, magnetic charging cable Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m)
Preloaded Software - GymKit
Compliant Standards - IP6X, BFR-free, PVC-free, Beryllium-free, Mercury-free, Arsenic-free
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) - 0.12 W/kg (head)
0.29 W/kg (limb)
Carbon Footprint - 0 kg carbon emissions
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 50 m
Manufacturer Model Number - A2978
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