This September, it looks like there will be three new Apple Watches: the Apple Watch Ultra 3, the Apple Watch Series 10 and the third generation model of the most affordable model, the Apple Watch SE. This year’s version is likely to be more affordable and feature a new design that’s unprecedented in Apple’s SE lineup.
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According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, the new model will be the first since 2022, and Apple “will move away from an aluminum enclosure to a plastic one”. That’s a big change: for all SE models of the iPhone and Watch, Apple has been using the old existing design. This will be a completely new look.
It suggests that Apple wants to appeal to a new set of buyers. There has never been an Apple Watch clad in plastic; aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, ceramic and gold have been the go-to materials since the Watch was first launched in spring 2015.
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Here’s why this is happening, according to Gurman: “I’m told that the move to plastic will lower production costs. The aluminum case for the SE costs Apple about $5 a unit. The plastic shell likely will be about half that, I’m told. That might not make a huge difference by itself, but Apple is looking for ways to get the price of the SE down.”
Although it’s by far the most affordable Watch, it costs $249 for the 40mm version and $279 for the 44mm case, plus $50 if you choose the cellular version of either. If Apple could knock the entry price down to $200, it could appeal to a lot more people and compete more easily with rival devices such as those from Samsung. Apple has marketed its Watches at children for some time, and this move could enhance that market, and be especially potent with recent school bans of cellphones.
The Apple Watch helps parents track where children are without a phone—especially if parents choose the cellular version. And, as Gurman points out, the plastic may yield more striking and vibrant colors than the current midnight, starburst, and silver options, though you can already customize your watch with brightly colored bands.