Apple Watch Series 3 (Aluminum, GPS, 42 mm) Specs
Identifiers: Watch Series 3 42 mm - MQL02LL/A** - Watch3,4 - A1859* - 3166*
All Apple Watch Models
The Apple Watch Series 3 models look effectively identical to the models that came before them, but they are considerably more powerful internally. This particular model, the Apple Watch Series 3 (Aluminum, GPS, 42 mm) does not have wireless 3G capability, but higher-end models in the series also are capable of being connected to the Internet without a "tethered" iPhone and this line is the first Apple Watch series with that capability (although it only can be used on the same carrier as your iPhone). This "GPS" model is required to be connected to an iPhone 5 or newer for most functionality, but it does add built-in GPS and GLONASS as well as a barometric altimeter and Siri support.
Like earlier Apple Watch models, all Apple Watch Series 3 devices are controlled with a "Digital Crown" and a Force Touch capable display. This particular Apple Watch, the Series 3 GPS model in the 42 mm size, features a 312x390 OLED screen with "strengthened, lightweight Ion-X glass" packed in a 7000 series anodized aluminum housing with a composite back and "hard coated optical polymer lenses" that connect to the charger.
Battery life is an Apple estimated "up to 18 hours" overall, but more specifically "up to 3 hours" of talk time connected to an iPhone, "up to 10 hours" of audio playback, "up to 10 hours" working out indoors and "up to 5 hours" working out outdoors with GPS.
There originally were four different options for this particular Apple Watch Series 3 model. It originally was available with a silver colored aluminum case and a light gray "fog" fluoroelastomer rubber "Sport Band" (pictured, left); a gold colored aluminum case and a "Pink Sand" fluoroelastomer rubber "Sport Band;" a dark "Space Gray" colored aluminum case and a gray fluoroelastomer rubber "Sport Band;" and a dark "Space Gray" colored aluminum case and a black fluoroelastomer rubber "Sport Band" (pictured, right).On September 12, 2018, Apple continued to ship the dark "Space Gray" colored aluminum case and a black fluoroelastomer rubber "Sport Band (albeit with a different order number) and introduced a silver colored aluminum case and a white fluoroelastomer rubber "Sport Band" option. The company also cut the price to US$309. The other configurations were discontinued.
On September 10, 2019, Apple cut the price to US$229 and finally discontinued the Apple Watch Series 3 entirely on September 7, 2022.
Also see:
- What are all the differences between the Apple Watch Series 3 models?
- What are the differences between the Apple Watch Series 3 and the models replaced?
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- Tech Specs
- Global Original Prices
- Popular Q&As
Click on a category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.
| Introduction Date: |
September 12, 2017 |
Discontinued Date: |
September 7, 2022 |
| Details: |
The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended. |
| Processor Speed: |
N/A |
Processor Type: |
Apple S3* |
| Details: |
*Apple reports that the processor in the Apple Watch Series 3 models is a dual core Apple "S3" processor. If additional details become available, this can be expanded. |
| Onboard RAM: |
768 MB* |
Storage Capacity: |
8 GB |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the GPS-only Apple Watch Series 3 models have 8 GB of onboard flash storage. |
| Song Capacity: |
N/A |
Photo Capacity: |
N/A |
| Details: |
*Apple does not provide an estimate of song and photo capacity instead opting just for GB. |
| Case Type: |
Watch |
Form Factor: |
Apple Watch Series 3 (42 mm) |
| Details: |
This Apple Watch Series 3 has a 42 mm form factor and uses a 7000 series anodized aluminum housing. |
| Housing Color: |
Aluminum* |
Controller: |
Digital Crown |
| Details: |
*This Apple Watch Series 3 model uses a 7000 series anodized aluminum housing. It is available in silver, gold, and dark "space gray" aluminum housing options. |
| Built-in Display: |
1.65" OLED* |
Display Resolution: |
312x390 |
| Details: |
*The entire face of the watch contains a "second generation" roughly 1.65" OLED, but this is not all viewable area. All 42 mm models of this type have a viewable display resolution of 312x390 with a brightness rating of 1000 nits. This Apple Watch Series 3 display is covered by "Ion-X glass."
|
| Standard Wireless: |
802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz |
Standard Bluetooth: |
4.2 |
| Details: |
The Apple Watch Series 3 has built-in support for 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 4.2. |
| Battery Type: |
Lithium Ion* |
Battery Life: |
3-18 Hours* |
| Details: |
*The Apple Watch Series 3 uses a built-in, proprietary Lithium Ion battery. Apple reports that this device provides "up to 18 hours" of battery life which includes "90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use and a 30 minute workout with music playback from Apple Watch via Bluetooth." Battery life for other uses varies -- reportedly "up to 3 hours" of talk time connected to an iPhone, "up to 10 hours" of audio playback, "up to 10 hours" of working out indoors, and "up to 5 hours" of working out outdoors with GPS. |
| Apple Order No: |
MQL02LL/A** |
Apple Subfamily: |
Watch Series 3 42 mm |
| Details: |
*Apple estimates that the Apple Watch Series 3 models completely charge in "about 2 hours" and charge to 80% capacity in "about 1.5 hours."
**MQL02LL/A refers to this 42 mm model with a silver colored aluminum case and a light gray "fog" fluoroelastomer rubber "Sport Band." With a gold colored aluminum case and a "Pink Sand" fluoroelastomer rubber "Sport Band; a dark "Space Gray" colored aluminum case and a gray fluoroelastomer rubber "Sport Band;" and a dark "Space Gray" colored aluminum case and a black fluoroelastomer rubber "Sport Band;" the order numbers are MQL22LL/A, MR362LL/A and MQL12LL/A.
The dark "Space Gray" colored aluminum case and a black fluoroelastomer rubber "Sport Band and silver colored aluminum case and a white fluoroelastomer rubber "Sport Band" options introduced on September 12, 2018 are order numbers MTF32LL/A and MTF22LL/A, respectively. |
| Apple Model No: |
A1859* (EMC 3166*) |
Model ID: |
Watch3,4 |
| Details: |
*This model number and EMC number are shared by a number of models. The model number is externally listed on the housing in the "groove" where the bottom strap connects. It also is listed on the box and within software. The EMC number only is listed within software under Settings > General > Regulatory.
Also see: All Apple Watch models with the A1859* Model Number, the 3166* EMC Number, and the Watch3,4 Model Identifier. |
| Pre-Installed OS: |
watchOS 4.0 (15R607) |
Maximum OS: |
watchOS 8.8.1 |
| Details: |
This Apple Watch fully supports the last version of watchOS 4 and watchOS 5. It supports the final version of watchOS 6, although not all watch faces are available. It supports the final version of watchOS 7 and watchOS 8, but not all features are supported.
watchOS 6 also requires an iPhone 6s or later running iOS 13 or later, watchOS 7 also requires an iPhone 6s or later running iOS 14 or later, and watchOS 8 also requires an iPhone 6s or later running iOS 15 or later. |
| Dimensions: |
1.65 x 1.41 x 0.45 |
Avg. Weight: |
1.14 ounces |
| Details: |
In inches - height by width by depth (42.5 mm x 36.4 mm x 11.4 mm, 32.3 grams). |
| Original Price: |
US$359* |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$75-US$150 |
| Details: |
*All 42 mm Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS-only) models originally were US$359 regardless of finish and included band. On September 12, 2018, Apple changed the options and cut the price to US$309. On September 10, 2019, Apple cut the price to US$229.
To purchase a new Apple Watch in the US, please visit site sponsor Adorama, which always has free shipping (as well as some recently discontinued/open box Apple hardware at bargain prices).
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. |
Global original prices for the Apple Watch Series 3 (Aluminum, GPS, 42 mm) in 34 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.
For global original prices for all Apple Watch models in one particular country on a single page, please refer to Everyi.com's Global Original Prices section.
Original Prices - North & South America
| Canada: |
C$469 |
Brazil: |
R$3.099 |
| Mexico: |
MXN $7,199 |
United States: |
US$359* |
Original Prices - Europe
| Austria: |
€319 |
Belgium: |
€399 |
| Denmark: |
DKK 3,099 |
Finland: |
€409 |
| France: |
€399 |
Germany: |
€399 |
| Ireland: |
€409 |
Italy: |
€409 |
| Luxembourg: |
€385,81 |
Netherlands: |
€399 |
| Norway: |
NOK 3,890 |
Portugal: |
€409 |
| Spain: |
€399 |
Sweden: |
SEK 3.995 |
| Switzerland: |
CHF 399 |
United Kingdom: |
£359 |
Original Prices - Asia
| China: |
RMB 2,888 |
Hong Kong: |
HK$2,888 |
| India: |
Rs 31,900 |
Indonesia: |
N/A |
| Japan: |
¥39,800 |
Korea: |
KRW 389,000 |
| Malaysia: |
RM 1,379 |
The Philippines: |
PHP 19,990 |
| Singapore: |
S$548 |
Taiwan: |
NT$11,900 |
| Thailand: |
THB 12,900 |
Vietnam: |
VND 10,990,000 |
Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand
| Australia: |
A$449 |
New Zealand: |
NZ$579 |
If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.
Ten of the most popular Q&As about the Apple Watch line follow.
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