The Apple Watch Series 3, dunked, sweated and tested

We laced up our sneakers and tested the Apple Watch Series 3 cellular edition to try its new features around New York.

The Series 3 looks just like an Apple Watch Series 2.

On the left is the Series 2. On the right is the Series 3. Hard to tell them apart, right?

There are two types of Series 3 watches: those with GPS and those with GPS and cellular connectivity. Both come in either 38mm or 42mm sizes and in a variety of colors and bands.

The GPS models start at $329, £329 or AU$459. GPS and cellular models start at $399, £399 or AU$559.

The red dot on the crown denotes a cellular model.

The Series 3 uses the same wristbands as the Series 1, 2 and original Apple Watch.

In the US, all four major carriers have Series 3 data plans starting at $10 a month.

The Series 3 runs WatchOS 4 software out of the box.

GPS lets you use maps and track runs without carrying your iPhone with you.

The biggest plus about a cellular connection is being able to make and receive phone calls and texts.

The Series 3 cellular watch communicates to the outside world in three steps.

First, it looks for your iPhone via a Bluetooth connection.

If it's not nearby, it looks for a previously used Wi-Fi network.

And if neither of those options are available, the Watch uses 4G LTE.

And they say no one makes phone calls any more.

Calls can be dialed directly on the watch with a keypad, or made via tapping existing contacts.

The cellular connection also supports Siri queries.

Siri now talks back to you.

The Series 3 is waterproof.

Water droplets on the optical heart rate sensor.

It can track water workouts like swimming.

The Series 3 can be submerged up to 50 meters.

It can even be used in salt water.

Obviously, minor splashes like washing your hands are just fine.

You'll just have a wet wristband.

The Series 3 uses the same optical heart rate monitor as previous Apple Watch models.

Notice the inscribed "Series 3" at the 12 o'clock position above the optical sensors on the back of the watch.

Here's the Series 3 screen in direct sunlight.

The Series 3 and WatchOS 4 give you a number of ways to track workouts.

WatchOS 4 adds new graphs for walking and resting heart rates.

Despite improvements to health and fitness tracking, the experience overall is still pretty barebones.

The watch can display a breakout of your heart rate minute by minute for a workout.

A cellular connection lets you stream Apple Music while you workout.

A quick glance can show you calories burned, distance, length of workout and time.

The summary screen displays average heart rate, elevation and duration of your workout.

A popular feature on Apple Watches is being reminded to stop and breathe.

A Nike Plus edition of the Series 3 watch.

If you're an Apple Music subscriber, the Series 3 with cellular might be perfect for you.

It can stream music and synchronize playlists with iCloud.

Sadly Spotify, Google Music and Pandora cannot stream. And podcasts still have to be downloaded to the watch.

Series 2 and 3 watches are nearly identical, except for the red dot on the crown of the cellular Series 3 model.

On the left is the Series 2 watch in aluminum and on the right is the Series 3 watch in stainless steel.

The Apple Watch Series 3 comes with a band and a charging cable.

The Series 3 pairs perfectly with a pair of Apple AirPods.

A wireless Apple family.

The Watch Series 3 was announced alongside the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.

So is this the two-way radio Dick Tracy watch many of us have dreamt of?

While you might feel like Dick Tracy using it, the Apple Watch still needs to be paired with your iPhone from time to time. And, no video calls.

For a more in-depth look at, check out our full Apple Watch Series 3 review.