David Bridges
Recent developments indicate that Apple is actively developing a new version of the Apple Watch SE featuring a plastic shell, aimed specifically at providing a more affordable and kid-friendly option. However, it appears that transforming this vision into reality is proving to be more complex than initially anticipated. Following Apple’s September event last year, which concluded without the anticipated announcement of the new Apple Watch SE, renowned journalist Mark Gurman reported that the team encountered significant “cost and quality” issues related to the plastic design. Despite these challenges, Gurman emphasized that the project is still ongoing. In this week’s Power On newsletter, he revealed that the future of the plastic Apple Watch SE is now “in serious jeopardy.”
Gurman elaborated on the situation by stating that “the design team is dissatisfied with the aesthetics, while the operations team is struggling to produce a casing that is significantly cheaper than the existing aluminum chassis.” It has now been over two years since the launch of the second generation of the Apple Watch SE, and many users, including Engadget’s Amy Skorheim, have noted that the current model feels somewhat “bland” upon revisiting it recently. Given these circumstances, it is clear that a refresh is overdue, yet the anticipated plastic design may not materialize in the near future.
