What's new in Apple Watch Series 3

Apple Watch Series 3, introduced on September 15, 2017, is the third evolution of the Apple Watch that Apple first debuted in 2015. Apple Watch Series 3 is a lot like Apple Watch Series 2 with one major exception -- a new cellular chip.

For the first time, thanks to processor and battery improvements, Apple has been able to bring LTE connectivity to the Apple Watch. Apple Watch Series 3 is no longer tethered to an iPhone, an improvement that Apple says has been its vision for the watch from the beginning.

With LTE connectivity, you can leave your iPhone behind when you run errands, go to the beach, or go for a jog, but remain reachable via phone call or a message. The Apple Watch works just like an iPhone on LTE. You can listen to streaming music, get GPS directions, interact with Siri, and use third-party apps, all over a cellular connection.

A new red Digital Crown is available on all LTE Apple Watch models, but aside from that tweak, the design of the Apple Watch Series 3 remains largely the same as the Apple Watch Series 2.

It is available in 38 and 42mm varieties to fit a range of wrist sizes, and it is the same size and shape as the Series 2 Apple Watch. There's only one change -- the back crystal that rests against the wrist has been extended by 0.25mm. The size change shouldn't be noticeable to most users because 0.25mm is equivalent to the thickness of two sheets of paper.

As always, the main focus of the Apple Watch is health and fitness, and Apple's aim is to get people to be more active with features like built-in activity reminders and personalized fitness goals. The Apple Watch Series 3 continues to measure health metrics like steps taken, calories burned, and heart rate. It's able to track many activities using the Workout app, and in the Series 3 models, there's a new barometric altimeter for tracking elevation gains and flights of stairs climbed.

Apple Watch Series 3 is powered by a new dual-core processor that delivers 70 percent more performance than the processor in the Apple Watch Series 2. With the new processing power, Siri is faster than ever and can answer queries aloud for the first time. Apple Watch Series 3 offers all-day battery life, but LTE use impacts how long the battery lasts.

A new Apple-designed W2 chip offers 85 percent faster Wi-Fi while also being 50 percent more power efficient for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. And to enable LTE connectivity, there are new components like a tiny electronic SIM and tweaks to turn the display itself into a multifrequency LTE antenna. Despite these new components, Apple Watch Series 3 still offers 50m water resistance and improved seals, making it suitable for swimming.

Like the Series 2 Apple Watch, the Series 3 models feature a 1,000 nit display that's easy to see in bright sunlight, a GPS chip for recording precise distance, speed, and pace when running, an NFC chip for Apple Pay, and a Taptic Engine to provide haptic-based notifications and other feedback to wearers.

Apple is offering Apple Watch Series 3 in both LTE and non-LTE configurations for those who don't need cellular connectivity. Non-LTE Apple Watch models are dependent on the iPhone at all times and do not have an internet connection without one aside from known Wi-Fi networks.

Apple Watch Series 3 comes in a range of case materials, including aluminum, stainless steel, and ceramic. Aluminum models, Apple's most inexpensive, come in Silver, Space Gray, and a new shade of Gold. Stainless Steel models, Apple's mid-tier devices, continue to be available in Silver and Space Black, and to go along with the White Ceramic Apple Watch model, there's a new Gray Ceramic option. Ceramic models are considered "Edition" watches and are Apple's most expensive.

Stainless Steel and Edition models feature durable sapphire crystal displays that hold up well to scratches, while the Aluminum models offer Ion-X glass that's durable, but not as strong as sapphire.

All of the Apple Watch Series 3 models are sold with a variety of bands that impact the price of the device, and there are also standalone bands that can be purchased as additional accessories.

Apple has also partnered with Nike and French fashion label Hermès to offer Series 3 Apple Watch models with exclusive bands and watch faces.