Apple Watch SE 3: Always-On Display Experience and Power Consumption Analysis

The Apple Watch SE 3 brings the always-on display (AOD) feature to the more affordable Apple Watch segment for the first time. This blog shares an in-depth look at how the AOD performs across varying lighting conditions and its effect on battery life.

Always-On Display in Different Light Environments

The Apple Watch SE 3 uses an Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display powered by the efficient S10 chip, which allows the screen to remain visible in a low-brightness mode when the wrist is down. In bright outdoor environments, the display automatically increases brightness to maintain clear visibility even under direct sunlight, enabling effortless time checks without raising the wrist or tapping the display. Indoors or in darker settings, the screen dims appropriately to avoid distraction but keeps key information like time, complications, and notifications instantly readable. The OLED panel’s true blacks help retain high contrast and sharpness, providing a comfortable viewing experience throughout the day.123

Apple has also optimized the watch faces to minimize battery consumption during AOD by reducing animation and lowering color intensity while keeping the display legible. This makes the always-on display not only practical but aesthetically pleasing and comfortable in various ambient lighting conditions.45

Battery Life Impact

With the always-on display enabled, the Apple Watch SE 3 still offers up to 18 hours of battery life under standard use, which Apple describes as “all-day”. However, real-world usage indicates that enabling AOD increases power consumption and typically reduces battery endurance by approximately 15% to 20%. Factors such as screen brightness levels, the frequency of notifications, and other sensor activities like heart rate measurement also influence the overall battery drain.234

The S10 chip plays a critical role in managing power efficiently by dynamically adjusting refresh rates and display brightness based on usage and ambient light, helping to reduce the battery hit caused by the always-on feature. The SE 3 also supports fast charging, where 15 minutes of charging can add up to 8 hours of battery life, somewhat offsetting the increased consumption from AOD.36

Practical Use and Recommendations

For users who prioritize convenience and glanceability, the always-on display significantly improves the Apple Watch SE 3 experience by removing the need to lift or tap the wrist to see the time or glance at notifications. The battery trade-off is manageable for most, but users looking to maximize battery life can consider turning off the AOD feature during extended periods or low-usage scenarios.

In summary, the Apple Watch SE 3 balances the addition of an always-on display with efficient power management, offering a compelling user experience with clear visibility in diverse lighting and manageable impact on battery life. This makes the SE 3 an excellent choice for users seeking the convenience of AOD without compromising daily endurance.235