Apple to Introduce Affordable Plastic Apple Watch SE, Retaining Original Design

Apple plans to launch a new variant of the Apple Watch SE made from rigid plastic, aiming to reduce costs while retaining the same design and internal components, according to recent reports.

Apple's Plastic Apple Watch SE Aims to Lower Costs, Maintain Original Design

The iPhone X, released in 2017, signified the tenth anniversary of the iPhone's initial launch in 2007. The device made significant strides with an all-screen design and Face ID. Apple intends to overhaul the wearable's appearance, which could result in the Apple Watch X or Series 10 sharing the same fate. The company is also developing a plastic Apple Watch SE at the lower end of the spectrum, potentially to reduce costs. This move could render the device more affordable than it is currently.

Switching to rigid plastic is a logical choice for Apple in terms of reducing the overall cost of manufacturing. The company is currently manufacturing high-end versions of the Apple Watch, and it may be prudent to transition the SE variants to complex polymers. Mark Gurman disclosed the information in his most recent Power On newsletter, in which he disclosed that the organization is conducting tests on novel materials for the Apple Watch SE, including "rigid plastic."

The new rigid plastic could enable the company to reduce costs while maintaining the same design and internal components, making an already affordable product even more affordable. It is still being determined whether the transition to a plastic design would decrease the cost for the end user, as the company has the option to maintain current prices. In 2022, the company transitioned to a nylon composite material for the SE, which replaced the Ceramic material found in the more expensive models.

Apple Explores Cost-Effective Rigid Plastic for Apple Watch SE, Environmental Impact Unclear

According to Wccftech, Gurman indicates that the organization is developing a new rigid plastic SE variant. However, he does not specify whether the existing material will remain accessible. The organization can provide the SE with the current materials and introduce a more cost-effective new model to the inventory.

The report does not specify whether the company intends to implement any additional design modifications to the mix; however, one of the primary advantages of the transition is its reduced cost. It remains to be determined how the Apple Watch SE's utilization of rigid plastic aligns with the organization's ongoing initiatives to safeguard the environment. The Apple Watch SE could be priced at $200, which is comparable to Samsung's Galaxy-branded timepieces. This would benefit the end user.

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