- Potential shift from aluminium to plastic for the next Apple Watch SE
- Aimed at reducing costs and potentially lowering the SE’s price
- Current SE model starts at $249, while Samsung’s cheapest watch is $199
- No additional details on release date or other changes
Apple might make the next Apple Watch SE out of plastic instead of aluminium.
This would be a big change for the company’s cheapest watch.
The idea is to keep costs down. Apple last updated the SE in 2022. At that time, they switched the back case from ceramic to a nylon composite material.
Mark Gurman from Bloomberg wrote about this in his newsletter. He said:
“The company is also working on a new version of its lower-cost Apple Watch SE model, which it last updated in 2022. One idea that the company has tested is swapping out the aluminum shell in favor of rigid plastic.”
Right now, the SE starts at £249. Samsung’s cheapest watch costs $199. If Apple uses plastic, they might be able to lower the price of the SE.
Apple is also working on new versions of its other watches. These include the Series 10 and the Ultra 2.
The current SE looks a lot like the more expensive Apple Watches. It’s made of aluminium, just like them. But using plastic would make it very different.
Gurman didn’t share any other details about the new SE. We don’t know when it might come out or what other changes Apple might make.
If Apple does use plastic, it would be a big shift. The company usually uses premium materials in its products.
But it might help them sell more watches to people who don’t want to spend as much.
The SE has been a popular choice for many people. It offers most of the features of the standard Apple Watch but at a lower price.
Making it even cheaper could bring in more customers.
Some might worry about a plastic watch feeling cheap. But modern plastics can be quite sturdy.
Many sports watches use plastic cases and they hold up well.
Apple would need to balance cost savings with quality. They wouldn’t want to damage their brand image with a product that feels too cheap.
The move could also help Apple compete better in markets where their products are seen as too expensive.
A much cheaper SE could open up new customer groups.
It’s not clear if this plastic SE will actually happen. Companies often test ideas that never make it to market.
But it shows Apple is thinking about how to make their watches more accessible.
If they do go ahead with a plastic SE, it will be interesting to see how they market it. They might focus on its lightness or durability rather than its lower cost.
The watch market is very competitive. Apple leads in smartwatches, but there are many cheaper options out there.
A plastic SE could help them fight off competition at the lower end.
FAQs
Why is Apple considering using plastic for the next Apple Watch SE?
Apple is considering plastic to reduce costs and potentially lower the price of the SE model.
What is the current price of the Apple Watch SE?
The current Apple Watch SE starts at $249.
How does the current SE model compare to other Apple Watches in terms of materials?
The current SE model uses an aluminium shell, similar to more expensive Apple Watches.
What other Apple Watch models is Apple working on?
Apple is also developing new versions of the Series 10 and Ultra 2.
When might the new Apple Watch SE be released?
There are no confirmed details about the release date for the new SE model.
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