Apple is working on a third-generation version of the Apple Watch SE, and it could launch as soon as 2024. Recent rumors suggest that Apple could make a major design change for the device - a swap to plastic.
The first and second-generation Apple Watch SE models have an aluminum casing and are modeled after the aluminum Apple Watch. Apple used to call these the "Sport" models because of their lower price and lighter weight.
Rather than using aluminum again, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that Apple could transition to rigid plastic, further bringing costs down. Plastic could result in an Apple Watch SE that is cheaper than the current $250 model, allowing Apple to better compete with more affordable smartwatches from other manufacturers.
Apple has recently been encouraging parents to get Apple Watches for their children, and a plastic Apple Watch SE could come in a range of bright, fun colors that appeal to kids. Apple previously used plastic for the iPhone 5c, and it came in blue, yellow, pink, and green. Colors like we saw used for the iPhone 5c make sense for an Apple Watch at least partially aimed at kids.
Parents are able to set up cellular Apple Watches for their children, providing a way for kids to stay connected and trackable without an iPhone. Apple has been pushing the concept in an Apple Watch For Your Kids campaign, which highlights the benefits of the Apple Watch for young wearers. The Apple Watch SE is the ideal watch for this purpose because it's affordable and offers all of the benefits that come with an Apple Watch, simply without some of the more adult-oriented health features like ECG that aren't even applicable to kids.
Rigid plastic could be more durable to scratches and dings than aluminum, and that kind of durability could appeal to those who are rough on their devices. Plastic is typically lighter weight than aluminum too, so a plastic Apple Watch SE could be more comfortable for small wrists.
Transitioning to plastic would also allow Apple to better differentiate the Apple Watch SE from the standard Apple Watch models. To date, the Apple Watch SE has been modeled after Apple's mainline models, and design wise, an SE is almost indistinguishable from a regular Apple Watch.
It's still not quite clear when Apple will refresh the Apple Watch SE lineup, but a new model could come as soon as 2024.
