Apple is considering a significant change for its most affordable smartwatch, potentially switching to an all-plastic design for the next Apple Watch SE. This move could help lower the device's price, making it more competitive in the budget smartwatch market.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in his Power On newsletter that Apple has been testing a new version of the Apple Watch SE with a rigid plastic shell instead of the current aluminium casing. "One idea that the company has tested is swapping out the aluminium shell in favour of rigid plastic," Gurman wrote.
Apple has already taken steps to cut costs on the SE model. The 2022 version features a redesigned back case made of "nylon composite" material, replacing the ceramic used in previous models. If the company decides to use plastic for the entire casing, it would mark a more significant departure from the premium materials typically associated with Apple products.
This wouldn't be Apple's first foray into plastic devices. In 2013, the company released the iPhone 5C with a polycarbonate exterior, available in various colours. However, the 5C received mixed reactions, with some critics arguing that the plastic casing felt less premium than Apple's usual metal finishes.