Apple Watch Series 2 vs. Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS)

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Apple Watch Series 2 and Apple Watch Series 3 (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 2 vs. Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Comparison Chart
GENERAL Apple Watch Series 2 Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS)
Product Type Smart watch Smart watch
Operating System WatchOS 3 WatchOS 5
Supported Host Device OS iOS 10 or later iOS 11 or later
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Audio Input Microphone Microphone
Audio Output Speaker Speaker
Width 33.3 mm 33.3 mm
Height 38.6 mm 38.6 mm
Depth 11.4 mm 11.4 mm
Weight 28.2 g 26.7 g
Body Material Aluminium Anodised aluminium
Protection Waterproof Water-resistant
Colours Space black | Silver -
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Apple Watch Series 2 Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS)
Sensors Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, gyro sensor, heart rate Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, gyro sensor, heart rate, barometric altimeter
Tracking Data Distance, time, calories burned, activity, heart rate, steps taken Distance, time, calories burned, activity, heart rate, steps taken
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features Call handling, Retina Display technology Music remote handling, camera remote control, listening to music, Retina Display technology, call alerts
Notifications Calendar, SMS, Email Calendar, SMS, Email
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type - Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) GPS/GLONASS receiver GPS/GNSS receiver
IoT Intelligent Assistant - Siri
IoT Voice Controlled - Direct
CONNECTIVITY Apple Watch Series 2 Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS)
Wireless Interface IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2
DISPLAY Apple Watch Series 2 Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS)
Type OLED - colour OLED - colour
Resolution 272 x 340 pixels 272 x 340 pixels
Screen Protection Ion-X glass Ion-X glass
INPUT DEVICE Apple Watch Series 2 Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS)
Type Touch sensitive screen (Force Touch) Touch sensitive screen (Force Touch)
CASE Apple Watch Series 2 Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS)
Case Size 38 mm 38 mm
Case Back Ceramic back Composite back
Case Details Silver aluminium | Stainless steel | Rose gold aluminium | Gold aluminium | Space grey aluminium | Space black stainless steel Space grey aluminium | Silver aluminium | Gold aluminium
Crown Type Digital Digital
BAND Apple Watch Series 2 Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS)
Band Type Sport band Sport band
Band Size S/M/L -
Fits Wrist with Circumference 130-200 mm 130-200 mm
Clasp Type Pin-and-tuck Pin-and-tuck
Band Material Fluoroelastomer Fluoroelastomer
Band Colour White | Black | Pink sand | Concrete | Silver | Midnight blue | Pearl | Light pink/midnight blue | Yellow/light grey | Saddle brown | Space black Black | White | Fog | Pink sand | Grey
STORAGE Apple Watch Series 2 Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS)
Storage Capacity - 8 GB
CPU Apple Watch Series 2 Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS)
Manufacturer Apple Apple
CPU Type S2 S3
Features - W2 Apple wireless chip
BATTERY Apple Watch Series 2 Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 18 hours 18 hours
MISCELLANEOUS Apple Watch Series 2 Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS)
Included Accessories Power adapter, magnetic charging cable Power adapter, magnetic charging cable
Preloaded Software Siri -
SAR Value 0.056 W/kg (head), 0.049 W/kg (limb) -
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 50 m
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