Apple Watch SE 3: Would You Buy a Plastic Watch?

Apple is working on a third-generation version of the Apple Watch SE, and it could launch as soon as 2024. Recent rumors suggest that Apple could make a major design change for the device - a swap to plastic.

apple watch se gen 2
The first and second-generation ‌Apple Watch SE‌ models have an aluminum casing and are modeled after the aluminum Apple Watch. Apple used to call these the "Sport" models because of their lower price and lighter weight.

Rather than using aluminum again, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that Apple could transition to rigid plastic, further bringing costs down. Plastic could result in an ‌Apple Watch SE‌ that is cheaper than the current $250 model, allowing Apple to better compete with more affordable smartwatches from other manufacturers.

Apple has recently been encouraging parents to get Apple Watches for their children, and a plastic ‌Apple Watch SE‌ could come in a range of bright, fun colors that appeal to kids. Apple previously used plastic for the iPhone 5c, and it came in blue, yellow, pink, and green. Colors like we saw used for the ‌iPhone‌ 5c make sense for an Apple Watch at least partially aimed at kids.

iphone 5c banner
Parents are able to set up cellular Apple Watches for their children, providing a way for kids to stay connected and trackable without an ‌iPhone‌. Apple has been pushing the concept in an Apple Watch For Your Kids campaign, which highlights the benefits of the Apple Watch for young wearers. The ‌Apple Watch SE‌ is the ideal watch for this purpose because it's affordable and offers all of the benefits that come with an Apple Watch, simply without some of the more adult-oriented health features like ECG that aren't even applicable to kids.

Rigid plastic could be more durable to scratches and dings than aluminum, and that kind of durability could appeal to those who are rough on their devices. Plastic is typically lighter weight than aluminum too, so a plastic ‌Apple Watch SE‌ could be more comfortable for small wrists.

Transitioning to plastic would also allow Apple to better differentiate the ‌Apple Watch SE‌ from the standard Apple Watch models. To date, the ‌Apple Watch SE‌ has been modeled after Apple's mainline models, and design wise, an SE is almost indistinguishable from a regular Apple Watch.

It's still not quite clear when Apple will refresh the ‌Apple Watch SE‌ lineup, but a new model could come as soon as 2024.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Lower Logo Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Monday June 30, 2025 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
replay all time playlist apple music

Apple Music Debuts All-New Personalized Playlist

Monday June 30, 2025 7:16 am PDT by
As part of its 10-year celebrations of Apple Music, Apple today released an all-new personalized playlist that collates your entire listening history. The playlist, called "Replay All Time," expands on Apple Music's existing Replay features. Previously, users could only see their top songs for each individual calendar year that they've been subscribed to Apple Music, but now, Replay All...