The Apple Watch SE, last refreshed in 2022 with a $250 price tag, offered a compelling combination of health features, sleek design, and impressive battery life. However, since then, competitors like Samsung, OnePlus, and Mobvoi have released their own budget-friendly smartwatches, putting pressure on Apple to innovate. Unfortunately, the future of the third-generation Apple Watch SE appears uncertain, and the delay may not be entirely strategic. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the affordable smartwatch’s development is in “serious jeopardy” due to hardware-related obstacles.
The report suggests a twofold challenge. Firstly, Apple’s design team is reportedly dissatisfied with the current design direction. Secondly, the operations team is struggling to manufacture the casing at a significantly lower cost than the existing aluminum chassis. This cost constraint has prompted Apple to explore alternative materials to reduce manufacturing expenses.
A Shift in Materials?
The World Time watch face showing on the Apple Watch SE 2.
Traditionally, Apple has used aluminum for the Watch SE casing, reserving premium materials like stainless steel and titanium for higher-end models. For the next iteration, reports indicate Apple has experimented with plastic-based materials.
Plastic offers cost and manufacturing advantages over aluminum, potentially allowing for a wider range of color options without compromising durability or weight. Brands like Amazfit have utilized plastic in their Bip series smartwatches for years. However, plastic often lacks the premium feel of metal, a characteristic long associated with Apple Watch aesthetics.
The Aluminum Dilemma
If Apple abandons the plastic approach due to aesthetic concerns, the aluminum chassis remains the likely alternative. However, if internal hardware upgrades, such as a new processor and improved sensors, are implemented in the Watch SE 3, a price increase might be inevitable. A similar scenario played out with the iPhone SE series, which saw price hikes with the introduction of 5G and the iPhone 16e redesign.
What to Expect from the Apple Watch SE 3
The side of the Apple Watch SE 2 showing the speakers.
Rumors suggest Apple aimed to lower the cost of the next SE model to compete more effectively in the budget smartwatch market. This could mean a plastic casing for the base models, while higher-end versions retain the aluminum build.
However, given Apple’s environmental initiatives and the gradual phasing out of plastic in its products, a complete shift to plastic for the Watch SE 3 seems unlikely. Other rumors point to a potential size increase, with the smaller model growing from 40mm to 41mm and the larger variant from 44mm to 45mm.
A processor upgrade is anticipated, but it’s uncertain whether the sensor array will also see improvements. Crucially, the impact of these design and cost challenges on the Apple Watch SE 3’s launch timeline remains unclear, though a fall 2025 release seems plausible.
