{"id":1018,"date":"2025-05-09T16:32:51","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T08:32:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.batteriestar.com\/blog\/?p=1018"},"modified":"2025-05-09T16:32:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T08:32:52","slug":"review-apple-watch-series-3-gps-lte-42mm-still-worth-it-in-2025-with-a-battery-upgrade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.batteriestar.com\/blog\/2025\/05\/09\/review-apple-watch-series-3-gps-lte-42mm-still-worth-it-in-2025-with-a-battery-upgrade\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + LTE 42mm \u2014 Still Worth It in 2025 with a Battery Upgrade?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When Apple released the <strong>Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + LTE 42mm<\/strong> back in 2017, it was a game changer. It marked the first time an Apple Watch could make calls, send messages, stream music, and use Siri\u2014all without an iPhone nearby\u2014thanks to its integrated <strong>cellular connectivity<\/strong>. Even today, this watch holds up surprisingly well, especially for fitness lovers and Apple ecosystem fans. But if you\u2019re considering using one now or reviving an older unit, there&#8217;s one critical component to look at: <strong>battery life<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s explore the watch\u2019s strengths and weaknesses\u2014and explain why upgrading to the <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.batteriestar.com\/detail\/Apple\/A1850\/1738932\"><strong>A1850 Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + LTE 42mm 3.72V\/4.35V 279mAh\/1.07Wh Replacement Smart Watch Battery<\/strong><\/a> could make all the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udcf1 Key Features &amp; Performance Highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Series 3\u2019s main selling point was its <strong>standalone LTE capability<\/strong>, powered by eSIM. You could leave your iPhone at home and still receive calls, reply to texts, and even use Siri on the go. For runners, cyclists, and gym goers, this opened up a new level of convenience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Its <strong>S3 dual-core processor<\/strong> and <strong>W2 wireless chip<\/strong> offered noticeable performance boosts at the time. Apps loaded faster, and Siri could now speak back using the built-in speaker. These enhancements made it feel much more like a true extension of the iPhone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And for fitness fans, the Series 3 introduced a <strong>barometric altimeter<\/strong> to track elevation changes, enhanced heart rate analytics, and automatic swim stroke detection\u2014all within a waterproof design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udd0b Battery Life: The Weak Link<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite its powerful features, battery life was always a sticking point. With moderate use\u2014notifications, short calls, workouts\u2014the battery could last around <strong>18 hours<\/strong>. But when using LTE continuously for music streaming or phone calls, battery life dropped dramatically, sometimes to <strong>just 8 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s where a battery upgrade can breathe new life into your device. The <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.batteriestar.com\/detail\/Apple\/A1850\/1738932\"><strong>A1850 Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + LTE 42mm 3.72V\/4.35V 279mAh\/1.07Wh Replacement Smart Watch Battery<\/strong><\/a> is the perfect solution to restore and even enhance your watch&#8217;s original stamina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By replacing the aging original battery, you\u2019ll regain the confidence to use cellular features freely\u2014without stressing about charging it halfway through the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udfaf Real-World Use and Who It\u2019s For<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even with its age, the Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + LTE remains a smart pick for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Outdoor athletes or fitness enthusiasts who don\u2019t want to carry their phone<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Users already invested in Apple Music, Siri, or Apple Health<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>People looking for a <strong>budget-friendly smartwatch with partial independence<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>However, users who primarily stay indoors or don\u2019t need LTE might prefer the GPS-only version. Still, if you&#8217;re holding onto a cellular model, a battery swap is a smart move. The <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.batteriestar.com\/detail\/Apple\/A1850\/1738932\"><strong>A1850 Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + LTE 42mm 3.72V\/4.35V 279mAh\/1.07Wh Replacement Smart Watch Battery<\/strong><\/a> gives your device a fresh start and ensures it can keep up with your lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2705 Pros &amp; \u274c Cons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>LTE capability enables limited independence from the iPhone<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Faster performance thanks to dual-core processor and W2 chip<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Great for fitness tracking, swimming, and HIIT workouts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Durable and water-resistant design<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>LTE signal can be spotty indoors or in weak coverage areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Battery drains quickly with extended cellular use<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some apps lose functionality without a paired iPhone<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cellular plans require extra monthly cost<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83e\udde9 Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + LTE 42mm may be a few years old, but it remains one of the best-value smartwatches for those looking to enter the Apple ecosystem affordably. And with the right battery replacement, it becomes even more dependable in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t let a worn-out battery hold you back\u2014upgrade to the <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.batteriestar.com\/detail\/Apple\/A1850\/1738932\"><strong>A1850 Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + LTE 42mm 3.72V\/4.35V 279mAh\/1.07Wh Replacement Smart Watch Battery<\/strong><\/a> today and give your watch a new lease on life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When Apple released the Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + LTE 42mm back in 2017, it was a game changer. It marked the first time an Apple Watch could make calls, send messages, stream music, and use Siri\u2014all without an iPhone nearby\u2014thanks to its integrated cellular connectivity. Even today, this watch holds up surprisingly well, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[52],"class_list":["post-1018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-smart-watch-battery","tag-battery-for-apple"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Review: Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + LTE 42mm \u2014 Still Worth It in 2025 with a Battery Upgrade? - Battery and Adapter Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.batteriestar.com\/blog\/2025\/05\/09\/review-apple-watch-series-3-gps-lte-42mm-still-worth-it-in-2025-with-a-battery-upgrade\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Review: Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + LTE 42mm \u2014 Still Worth It in 2025 with a Battery Upgrade? - Battery and Adapter Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"When Apple released the Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + LTE 42mm back in 2017, it was a game changer. 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