Apple Watch SE With Plastic Design Now in 'Jeopardy' for Two Reasons

There might not be a plastic Apple Watch SE this year after all, according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

apple watch se 2022
In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the plastic Apple Watch SE is now in "jeopardy" for two reasons: design and cost issues.

"The design team doesn't like the look, and the operations team is finding it difficult to make the casing materially cheaper than the current aluminum chassis," he said.

Gurman first mentioned the possibility of a plastic Apple Watch SE last year.

An even more affordable Apple Watch SE with a colorful plastic design could have been appealing to parents who are looking to purchase an Apple Watch for their children.

The current Apple Watch SE was released in 2022. In the U.S., it starts at $249.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch SE 3
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...

Top Rated Comments

Plutonius Avatar
12 months ago
If you are already spending that much money, who wants plastic to save a little money ?

Just give me a better battery life and I'll be happy.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Velin Avatar
12 months ago
Aluminum is one of the most abundant elements. Forget the plastic. Aluminum is superior. Instead, find a way to lower the costs to produce the Watch case. Pass those savings on to everyone.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surfzen21 Avatar
12 months ago
And the battle of giants continues.



Attachment Image
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AlexStudios Avatar
12 months ago
Mark my words.

If they still manage to release it anyways but jack up the price by just a little bit more, you know there’s something not right at Apple.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
titanium69 Avatar
12 months ago
The quality might be cheaper… but the price won’t be
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HowEver Avatar
12 months ago

Ancient analog quartz watches from 70s/80s have a battery life up to 10 years. Apple Watch, released almost 10 years ago, can't even last 1 week without recharging. The main issue is the screen: A watch only really needs MOVEMENT. Apple should hire a skilled horologist. And maybe they could release a Special 10th Anniversary Edition in April?
Your definition of a watch is out of date, if not time, for many people.

And there are still lots of watches like you describe, old ones, new ones.

btw do you use a Mac Plus still?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)