To appeal to budget-conscious consumers, Apple has been producing SE variants of its smartwatch. Although these models are designed to be affordable, the current SE starts at $249, making it pricier than some budget-friendly Wear OS alternatives. To address this, Apple might reduce costs for the Apple Watch SE 3 by switching from an aluminum build to a more economical plastic one.
According to Bloomberg Power On’s subscriber edition, the upcoming Apple Watch SE might replace its aluminum chassis with a rigid plastic one. This change could help Apple lower the cost and offer more varied finishes.
The move to plastic could make the watch more suitable for children, whom Apple is targeting as a market for the SE, positioning it as a phone alternative for younger users. The switch to plastic could also allow for a wider range of colors and help the company compete with rivals offering smartwatches for under $200.
Apple recently launched a webpage emphasizing the benefits of the SE smartwatch for children. By making the SE 3 model cheaper and more colorful, Apple aims to attract younger customers. Once these young users start using watchOS, they are more likely to invest in iPhones and other Apple products in the future, creating a long-term customer base for the company.
In addition to potentially switching to a plastic body, the next SE watch is expected to feature a faster processor. This could be the Apple S9 chip introduced with last year’s smartwatches or the new S10 chipset to power this year’s flagship models. A faster processor would improve performance and keep the SE competitive with other smartwatches on the market.
Apple is anticipated to announce the Apple Watch SE 3, along with the Series 10 and Ultra 3 models, and the iPhone 16 series, on September 10. As with recent Apple events, the keynote is expected to be pre-recorded and available for online viewing. This launch event will reveal the new features and improvements in Apple’s upcoming product lineup.
