Mark Gurman from Bloomberg reports that the anticipated plastic design for the upcoming Apple Watch SE is now facing significant challenges. There are ongoing internal disagreements regarding the plastic casing, and it may not necessarily be more affordable to produce.
Previously, Bloomberg indicated that Apple was contemplating a switch to a ‘rigid plastic’ material for the next-generation Apple Watch SE, potentially allowing for a reduced starting price.
However, Gurman has now mentioned that the transition to plastic is ‘seriously jeopardized.’ The design team is not satisfied with its appearance, and currently, it is proving difficult to manufacture the casing at a lower cost compared to the existing aluminum models:
The redesigned plastic Apple Watch SE I’ve mentioned is also in significant jeopardy. The design team is dissatisfied with its aesthetics, and the operations team is struggling to produce the casing at a materially lower cost compared to the current aluminum chassis.
Whether Apple can navigate these challenges remains uncertain. However, with the Apple Watch SE approaching its three-year anniversary this autumn, a refresh is likely expected within the next six months, regardless of the material choice.
Gurman also emphasizes that the next-generation Apple Watch Ultra is set to feature satellite texting and 5G capabilities.
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