Apple Watch SE With Colorful Plastic Design 'Remains in Development'

Remember the "unapologetically" plastic iPhone 5c from 2013? The next version of the lower-cost Apple Watch SE might look similar.

iPhone 5c Yellow
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said a new Apple Watch SE with a plastic casing "remains in development" ahead of a potential release next year. Apple has apparently faced some "cost and quality challenges" with the shift from aluminum to plastic, but he believes the project is still moving forward.

An even more affordable Apple Watch SE with a colorful plastic design could be appealing to parents who are looking to purchase an Apple Watch for their children. In the U.S., the current Apple Watch SE from 2022 starts at $249.

The next Apple Watch SE is also likely to offer a new chip with faster performance.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch SE
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: iPhone 17's 'Awe Dropping' Accessories

Friday August 29, 2025 8:12 am PDT by
Following the announcement of Apple's upcoming "Awe dropping" event, on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show we talk through all of the new accessories rumored to debut alongside the iPhone 17 lineup. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos We take a closer look at Apple's invite for "Awe dropping;" the design could hint at the iPhone 17's new thermal system with ...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...

Top Rated Comments

swingerofbirch Avatar
13 months ago
How expensive can aluminum be? It's used in soda cans.

I know they say it's aerospace grade, but that means a bit less these days with planes disintegrating mid-flight.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WatermelonSugarHigh Avatar
13 months ago
What will mother nature think of plastics?
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
13 months ago

This reeks of Tim Cook cost cutting.

Can’t wait until he’s gone.
Until the future CEO comes in and wants to cut hardware development costs and double services revenue.

There is little reason to think the next CEO will be more Jobs and less Cook. Careful what you wish for..
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fwmireault Avatar
13 months ago
I guess Apple will unapologetically ask the same starting price despite cheapening out on materials
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
moabal Avatar
13 months ago
Bring back the Mini!
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Victor Mortimer Avatar
13 months ago

I don't think so.

An all-plastic iPhone that doesn't look like any mid-tier from the past isn't an iPhone anymore.

The buyer wants others to know they own an iPhone. That's a big selling point for many.

5c failed because of this. And would have failed even if it had great flagship specs as it doesn't look premium enough to be an iPhone and doesn't resemble any iPhone that was once a flagship or mid-tier.

All-plastic smartphone means "not an iPhone". Bad idea.
While I think it's ridiculous to "want others to know they own an iPhone", and I generally use cases that make it non-obvious what kind of phone is inside, saying that plastic is "not an iPhone" is also utterly ridiculous.

Plastic is simply a better material for a phone than aluminum or glass. And most of us know this, because we put them in plastic cases anyway.

Attachment Image
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)