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Apple Watch Series 3 (Nike+, GPS, 42 mm) Specs

Identifiers: Watch Series 3 42 mm - MQL32LL/A** - Watch3,4 - A1859* - 3166*

All Apple Watch Models


Apple Watch Series 3, Nike+, GPS, 42 mmThe 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 (Nike+, 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.

This Apple Watch Nike+ model includes a custom Nike+ fluroelastomer band with "compression-molded perforations" (holes) that "reduces weight and improves ventilation" in addition to "exclusive Nike watch faces," a built-in Nike+ Run Club app, and "audio guided runs featuring the voice of a Nike+ Run Club coach."

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 Nike+ 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 two different options for this particular Apple Watch Series 3 Nike+ (GPS) model -- a silver colored aluminum case with a "pure platinum/black" Nike Sport Band and a dark "Space Gray" colored aluminum case with an "Anthracite/Black" Nike Sport Band.

On September 12, 2018, Apple discontinued the silver option but kept the dark "Space Gray" colored aluminum case with an "Anthracite/Black" Nike Sport Band option, albeit with a new order number and a lower US$309 price tag.

On September 10, 2019, Apple cut the price to US$229. Finally, on September 15, 2020, the company discontinued this model entirely.

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.


September 12, 2017 September 15, 2020
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.
N/A Apple S3*
Details: *Apple reports that the processor in the Apple Watch Series 3 models is a dual core Apple "S3" processor. The clockspeed was not reported.
768 MB* 8 GB
Details: Apple reports that the GPS-only Apple Watch Series 3 models have 8 GB of onboard flash storage.
N/A N/A
Details: *Apple does not provide an estimate of song and photo capacity instead opting just for GB.
Watch 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.
Aluminum* 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.
1.65" OLED* 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."
802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz 4.2
Details: The Apple Watch Series 3 has built-in support for 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 4.2.
Lithium Ion* 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.
MQL32LL/A** 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."

**MQL32LL/A refers to this 42 mm Nike+ model with a silver colored aluminum case with a "pure platinum/black" Nike Sport Band. With a dark "Space Gray" colored aluminum case with an "Anthracite/Black" Nike Sport Band, the order number is MQL42LL/A. Finally, with a dark "Space Gray" colored aluminum case and black fluoroelastomer Nike Sport Band, the order number is MTF42LL/A.
A1859* (EMC 3166*) 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.
watchOS 4.0 (15R607) 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.
1.65 x 1.41 x 0.45 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).
US$359* US$75-US$150
Details: *All 42 mm Apple Watch Series 3 (Nike+, GPS-only) models originally were US$359 regardless of finish and included band. On September 12, 2018, Apple cut the price to US$309. On September 10, 2019, Apple cut the price to US$229 and discontinued these models entirely on September 15, 2020.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.



Global original prices for the Apple Watch Series 3 (Nike+, 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

C$429 R$3.099
MXN $7,199 US$359*

Original Prices - Europe

€319 €369
DKK 2,799 €379
€369 €369
€379 €379
€356,80 €369
NOK 3,590 €379
€369 SEK 3.695
CHF 369 £329

Original Prices - Asia

RMB 2,588 HK$2,688
Rs 31,900 N/A
¥36,800 KRW 389,000
RM 1,379 PHP 19,990
S$498 NT$10,900
THB 11,900 VND 10,990,000

Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand

A$449 NZ$529

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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