Is It Still Worth Buying Apple Watch Series 3 in 2025
Introduction
The Apple Watch Series 3, once a game-changer in the smartwatch industry, is now showing its age. Released in 2017, it introduced LTE connectivity, fitness tracking, and core smartwatch features at an affordable price. However, as we step into 2025, the big question is: Is it still worth buying?
According to our UpTrade Price Tracker, Certified Refurbished Apple Watch Series 3 is nearly impossible to find, and even if you do, it’s not a good buy. Apple has officially stopped software updates for this model, meaning it no longer receives watchOS updates, security patches, or app support.
💡 Instead, we highly recommend upgrading to the Apple Watch Series 6, which starts at just $140 (Certified Refurbished). The Series 6 offers better performance, ECG & Blood Oxygen tracking, and long-term software support—making it a much smarter investment.
About Apple Watch Series 3: A Look Back
The Apple Watch Series 3 was a revolutionary smartwatch when it launched in 2017, bringing Apple’s fitness and health ecosystem to more users at a lower price.
🔹 Key Features at Launch:
- ✔ LTE Connectivity (first Apple Watch with cellular support).
- ✔ Optical Heart Sensor for tracking heart rate.
- ✔ Swimproof Design with 50m water resistance.
- ✔ watchOS 4 Compatibility (upgradable to watchOS 8 but no further).
- ✔ S3 Processor – Apple’s early smartwatch chipset.
At the time, these features made the Series 3 a best-seller, but fast-forward to 2025, and the lack of software support makes it nearly obsolete.
Why Apple Watch Series 3 Is No Longer a Good Buy in 2025
If you're considering buying an Apple Watch Series 3 in 2025, here are five major reasons to avoid it:
1. No More watchOS Updates
🚫 Apple stopped supporting watchOS updates for the Series 3, meaning:
- ❌ No watchOS 9, 10, or 11+ updates.
- ❌ No new features like Crash Detection or advanced sleep tracking.
- ❌ No security patches, making it vulnerable to cyber threats.
Without updates, many apps stop working, making the watch far less useful over time.
2. Limited App Compatibility
Most developers focus on the latest watchOS versions, meaning the Series 3 is slowly losing app support.
- 🔹 Many third-party fitness and productivity apps no longer work on outdated watchOS versions.
- 🔹 Features like Apple Pay, HomeKit, and smart notifications may become unreliable.
3. Slow Performance & Poor Battery Life
The S3 processor in the Apple Watch Series 3 is significantly slower than newer chips.
- ❌ Apps take longer to load.
- ❌ Animations lag, making navigation frustrating.
- ❌ Battery life is much worse after years of wear.
Compared to the S6 chip in Apple Watch Series 6 (2x faster), the S3 struggles with everyday tasks.
4. No ECG, Blood Oxygen, or Advanced Health Features
The Series 3 only has a basic heart rate sensor, whereas newer models have:
- ✔ ECG Monitoring (Apple Watch Series 4 and later).
- ✔ Blood Oxygen Sensor (Series 6 and later).
- ✔ Temperature Sensor (Series 8 and later).
If you care about accurate health tracking, the Series 3 is outdated.
5. No Always-On Display & Older Design
Unlike newer Apple Watches, the Series 3 requires you to raise your wrist to view the time.
- ❌ No Always-On Display (introduced in Series 5).
- ❌ Thicker bezels and smaller display area compared to modern models.
With a low-resolution display and outdated design, the Series 3 looks and feels old in 2025.
Can You Still Find Apple Watch Series 3 for Sale?
As of 2025, finding an Apple Watch Series 3 (Certified Refurbished) is nearly impossible because Apple and most major resellers no longer offer it.
💡 Where You Might Still Find a Used Apple Watch Series 3:
- 1️⃣ eBay / Craigslist / Facebook Marketplace – Some users still sell them.
- 2️⃣ Pawn Shops & Local Resellers – Rare stock available.
- 3️⃣ Unauthorized Third-Party Websites – High risk of scams and fake listings.
🚨 Why You Should Avoid Buying a Used Series 3:
- ❌ No warranty or quality guarantee.
- ❌ Battery life is likely degraded after years of use.
- ❌ No software updates = no app compatibility.
- ❌ Higher chance of damage or unfixable hardware issues.
💡 Best Alternative: Instead of risking an outdated Series 3, get an Apple Watch Series 6 ($140 Certified Refurbished) for a much better experience.
Better Alternative: Apple Watch Series 6 ($140 Certified Refurbished)
If you're considering an Apple Watch Series 3, skip it and upgrade to the Apple Watch Series 6 instead.
✅ Why the Apple Watch Series 6 is a Better Buy in 2025:
- ✔ Still receives software updates – watchOS support expected until 2026+.
- ✔ Faster S6 Processor – 2x faster than the sluggish S3 chip.
- ✔ Always-On Retina Display – No need to raise your wrist to check the time.
- ✔ Blood Oxygen Sensor & ECG – Advanced health tracking unavailable on Series 3.
- ✔ Much Better Battery Life – More efficient power management than older models.
- ✔ Certified Refurbished price starts at $140.
Specs Comparison: Apple Watch Series 3 vs. Apple Watch Series 6
If you're still considering an Apple Watch Series 3, this comparison will show why the Series 6 is a much smarter purchase in 2025.
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 3 | Apple Watch Series 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2017 | 2020 |
| Software Support Until | Discontinued (No updates) | Expected until 2026+ |
| Processor | S3 (Slow & Outdated) | S6 (2x Faster) |
| Display | Standard Retina | Always-On Retina |
| Health Features | Basic Heart Rate Sensor | ECG, Blood Oxygen Sensor |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours (More efficient) |
| Fast Charging | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Certified Refurbished Price (2025) | Hard to Find | $140 |
Price and Availability in 2025
Because Apple has discontinued the Series 3, finding one in good condition is difficult. Here’s how pricing compares for Certified Refurbished Apple Watches in 2025:
| Model | Certified Refurbished Starting Price (2025) |
|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 3 | Rarely Available (Used Only) |
| Apple Watch Series 6 | $140 |
| Apple Watch Series 7 | $160 |
| Apple Watch Series 8 | $195 |
| Apple Watch Series 9 | $250 |
💡 Availability Notes:
- 🔹 Apple & Major Retailers Have Stopped Selling Series 3 – Only available on secondary markets (eBay, Craigslist, etc.).
- 🔹 Series 6 and newer are available at deep discounts – making them a much smarter buy.
Where to Buy a Certified Refurbished Apple Watch in 2025
To avoid scams and get a quality Apple Watch, buy from trusted Certified Refurbished sellers:
Best Certified Refurbished Marketplaces (Recommended)
- ✅ UpTrade – Market-low prices from Certified Professional Resellers.
- ✅ Apple Certified Refurbished – Direct from Apple, but higher prices.
- ✅ Amazon Renewed & Best Buy – Trusted but limited stock.
💡 Why Buy Certified Refurbished?
- ✔ Fully tested & inspected – No risk of faulty or damaged units.
- ✔ Battery health checked – Often includes replaced batteries for better longevity.
- ✔ Warranty-backed purchases – Unlike standard used models.
Retailers Offering New or Open-Box Apple Watches
- ✔ Apple Store – Full retail price, but best for brand-new models.
- ✔ Best Buy / Target / Walmart – Sometimes offer discounted open-box deals.
Avoid High-Risk Secondary Marketplaces
- ❌ eBay / Craigslist / Facebook Marketplace – High risk of scams, fakes, or poor battery life.
- ❌ Unauthorized Third-Party Sellers – No guarantees on software updates or functionality.
💡 Best Tip: For the lowest Certified Refurbished Apple Watch prices, check UpTrade, where you can compare Series 6, 7, 8, and 9 deals from trusted sellers.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy an Apple Watch Series 3 in 2025?
🚫 NO. The Apple Watch Series 3 is NOT worth buying in 2025.
Here’s why:
- ❌ No software updates = no security or app support.
- ❌ Slow performance = outdated processor & laggy experience.
- ❌ No advanced health tracking = missing ECG, Blood Oxygen, and more.
- ❌ Difficult to find Certified Refurbished models = unreliable used listings.
💡 What to Buy Instead:
- ✔ Best Budget Pick: Apple Watch Series 6 ($140) – Modern design, faster performance, and full health-tracking features.
For the best deals on Certified Refurbished Apple Watches, explore UpTrade, where you can find trusted sellers, transparent pricing, and quality assurance. 🚀
