CMF Watch 3 Pro vs Apple Watch SE 3
CMF Watch 3 Pro (#2, best budget) vs Apple Watch SE 3 (#5): in our Budget Smartwatches scoring the CMF Watch 3 Pro totals 8.5/10 and the Apple Watch SE 3 7.4/10, the CMF Watch 3 Pro leading on Battery Life and Value and the Apple Watch SE 3 on Ecosystem and Health & Fitness.
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. Prices and availability shown are accurate as of Feb 13, 2026 and are subject to change; the merchant's price at purchase applies.
TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| CMF Watch 3 Pro | Apple Watch SE 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79 | $219 |
| Display | 1.43" AMOLED | Always-On OLED |
| OS | Proprietary (Nothing X app) | watchOS (iPhone 11+ required) |
| Battery | 13 days typical, 10 days heavy, ~4.5 days AOD | 18 hours (32h Low Power Mode) |
| Sensors | HR, SpO2 | HR, temp, accelerometer, gyroscope |
| Water Resistance | IP68 (no swimming) | 50m |
How they differ in real use
Built from our budget smartwatches scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the CMF Watch 3 Pro and the Apple Watch SE 3 made our Top 5 Budget Smartwatches, at #2 (best budget) and #5. Best ultra-budget pick under $100 with 1.43" AMOLED, dual-band GPS, and 13-day battery. Honest battery disclosure with defined usage scenarios. Not a full app-ecosystem smartwatch—no NFC payments and limited smart features. Best budget smartwatch for iPhone users with the most polished platform quality and app ecosystem. Full watchOS with third-party apps, Apple Pay, Always-On display, and fast charging at $249 MSRP (frequently $199-219 on sale).
We score budget smartwatches on Value (35%), Battery Life (25%), Health & Fitness (20%), Display (10%) and Ecosystem (10%). On that basis the CMF Watch 3 Pro totals 8.5 out of 10 and the Apple Watch SE 3 7.4. The widest gap is Battery Life, where the CMF Watch 3 Pro scores 10 against 5 for the Apple Watch SE 3 — days between charges. Value also separates them: 10 for the CMF Watch 3 Pro versus 7.5 for the Apple Watch SE 3. The Apple Watch SE 3 claws back ground on Ecosystem, Health & Fitness and Display.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Display — 1.43" AMOLED on the CMF Watch 3 Pro versus Always-On OLED on the Apple Watch SE 3; OS — Proprietary (Nothing X app) on the CMF Watch 3 Pro versus watchOS (iPhone 11+ required) on the Apple Watch SE 3; Battery — 13 days typical, 10 days heavy, ~4.5 days AOD on the CMF Watch 3 Pro versus 18 hours (32h Low Power Mode) on the Apple Watch SE 3; Sensors — HR, SpO2 on the CMF Watch 3 Pro versus HR, temp, accelerometer, gyroscope on the Apple Watch SE 3; Water Resistance — IP68 (no swimming) on the CMF Watch 3 Pro versus 50m on the Apple Watch SE 3.
Pricing as of February 13, 2026: $79 for the CMF Watch 3 Pro and $219 for the Apple Watch SE 3, a $140 difference in the CMF Watch 3 Pro's favor. Owners praise the CMF Watch 3 Pro for exceptional cost/feature ratio under $100 and 13-day battery with honest usage disclosure; the most common complaint is not a true app-ecosystem smartwatch. Owners praise the Apple Watch SE 3 for full watchOS with third-party apps and apple Pay and phone-on-wrist ergonomics; the most common complaint is battery is effectively daily charging (18-hour rating).
CMF Watch 3 Pro
- Exceptional cost/feature ratio under $100
- 13-day battery with honest usage disclosure
- 1.43" AMOLED display
- Dual-band GPS for accuracy
- Not a true app-ecosystem smartwatch
- No NFC/contactless payments
- IP68 with 'don't swim/shower' caveats
Apple Watch SE 3
- Full watchOS with third-party apps
- Apple Pay and phone-on-wrist ergonomics
- Always-On display and fast charging
- Strong discount availability at retailers
- Battery is effectively daily charging (18-hour rating)
- No ECG and no blood oxygen on SE line
- iPhone-only (hard compatibility boundary)
Which should you buy?
The CMF Watch 3 Pro is the better fit for ultra-budget buyers under $100 and long battery life priority — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Battery Life and Value. The Apple Watch SE 3 is the better fit for iPhone users on a budget and apple ecosystem integration, and the stronger choice if Ecosystem and Health & Fitness matter more to you than the overall score. Since the CMF Watch 3 Pro is both the higher scorer and $140 cheaper, the Apple Watch SE 3 only makes sense for iPhone users on a budget. The CMF Watch 3 Pro is a poor fit for app ecosystem needs; the Apple Watch SE 3 is a poor fit for android users.
Choose the CMF Watch 3 Pro if
- Ultra-budget buyers under $100
- Long battery life priority
- Basic health and fitness tracking
Skip it if
- App ecosystem needs
- NFC payment users
Choose the Apple Watch SE 3 if
- iPhone users on a budget
- Apple ecosystem integration
- Third-party app needs
Skip it if
- Android users
- Advanced health monitoring (ECG/SpO2)
Common questions
Is the CMF Watch 3 Pro better than the Apple Watch SE 3?
In our Budget Smartwatches ranking the CMF Watch 3 Pro scores higher overall, 8.5 to 7.4, with the biggest advantage in Battery Life. The Apple Watch SE 3 is stronger on Ecosystem and Health & Fitness, so it is the better pick if those matter most to you.
How much more does the Apple Watch SE 3 cost than the CMF Watch 3 Pro?
$140 more as of February 13, 2026: $219 for the Apple Watch SE 3 against $79 for the CMF Watch 3 Pro. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure.
What is the main difference between the CMF Watch 3 Pro and the Apple Watch SE 3?
The headline spec difference is Display: 1.43" AMOLED on the CMF Watch 3 Pro versus Always-On OLED on the Apple Watch SE 3. In use, the gap that matters most is Battery Life (10 vs 5 in our scoring): days between charges.