Apple Watch 2024 Deals: Why You Might Still Want the 'Old' Models

Apple’s latest smartwatches are already on sale, but the real value lies in the discounts for last-gen models — if you can resist the siren call of 'new and improved.'

The Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3, and Ultra 3 launched in September 2024 with notable upgrades like a 6-hour battery improvement, FDA-cleared hypertension notifications, and a more power-efficient 5G modem.

Yet older models now offer compelling trade-offs for budget-conscious buyers. The Series 10 is available at $249 (42mm) and $279 (46mm) at Walmart, a $150 discount from MSRP. The SE 3 adds always-on display and sleep tracking for $239 (40mm) and $269 (44mm).

Meanwhile, the Ultra 2 (S9 chip) drops to $549 at Amazon, $250 off its original price — a $300 difference compared to the Series 10.

Health sensors across models include EKG, blood oxygen, and hypertension alerts, but watchOS 26 requires Series 6 or newer. Older models like the Series 5 and SE will lose feature parity as updates roll out.

The Ultra 3’s $700 price tag delivers marginal improvements over the $549 Ultra 2, including a more scratch-resistant display and a redesigned case, but the value proposition remains thin for most users.