Apple Watch SE: Plastic and colorful?
Apple products made of plastic have often been controversial. Now the manufacturer is reportedly planning to use this type of housing for its entry-level watch.
![Person with an Apple Watch](https://heise.cloudimg.io/width/610/q85.png-lossy-85.webp-lossy-85.foil1/_www-heise-de_/imgs/18/4/6/4/6/5/2/3/shutterstock_2175540065-d2e29e1e5d2d96ef.jpeg)
person with an Apple Watch.
(Image: mpohodzhay / Shutterstock.com)
MacBook made of plastic, iPhone 5c made of plastic: devices that Apple wrapped in plastic in the past always caused controversy. Some liked the lightness and robustness of the polymer used, others found the variants simply cheap and preferred steel, aluminum or even titanium. A similar debate now seems to be taking place with the Apple Watch: Apple is reportedly planning to redesign its new entry-level model in the SE series accordingly. This has been reported by various rumor mongers and most recently by Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, who is often right.
For kids and the young at heart?
In his newsletter from the weekend, it can be read in the paid section that it "sounds increasingly likely" that Apple will go for a "hard plastic". Aluminum as previously used in the SE is to be omitted. The reason for this is not only that Apple wants to save money, but also that the Apple Watch SE is supposedly to be marketed (even) more strongly to parents for their children. Plastic is "more child-friendly" and the SE can therefore be marketed "as a cell phone alternative for a younger generation". Better colors are also possible.
Finally, the change in the case material would help Apple to differentiate the SE more strongly from the standard Apple Watch models. Currently, there is hardly any way to distinguish them from a distance, unless Apple operates with special colors. A plastic SE would make it clear at first glance that it is an SE and not a "Series 10", which is expected in September. Apple currently sells the SE from 249 US dollars or 279 euros in the 40 mm version. Competing entry-level smartwatches are cheaper.
SE with fewer functions
It is likely that the new Apple Watch SE will also have slightly fewer functions in plastic than the normal Series 10. For example, the 1-channel ECG is currently missing and there is no always-on display. The model series is currently updated approximately every two years, which means a third generation is on the cards for this year. It remains to be seen whether Apple will reduce the price.
An Apple Watch Series 10 and an Apple Watch Ultra 3 are expected this year. Meanwhile, there have been rumors that Apple could be planning an anniversary watch with a new form factor, although the tenth anniversary of the launch will not actually be until 2025; the Apple Watch was only launched in 2014.
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