TechSmartwatchesA cheaper Apple Watch SE being “worked on"Apple Watch SE could hark back to the colourful plastic of the iPhone 5CWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

TechSmartwatchesA cheaper Apple Watch SE being “worked on"Apple Watch SE could hark back to the colourful plastic of the iPhone 5CWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Apple Watch SE could hark back to the colourful plastic of the iPhone 5C

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)

Apple Watch SE 2 review

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)

Quick SummaryApple may change the casing of the Apple Watch SE 3 from aluminium to plastic in order to reduce costs.The SE 3 may have a lower price as a result. It’s expected to launch in late 2024.

Apple may change the casing of the Apple Watch SE 3 from aluminium to plastic in order to reduce costs.The SE 3 may have a lower price as a result. It’s expected to launch in late 2024.

Apple may change the casing of the Apple Watch SE 3 from aluminium to plastic in order to reduce costs.The SE 3 may have a lower price as a result. It’s expected to launch in late 2024.

Apple may change the casing of the Apple Watch SE 3 from aluminium to plastic in order to reduce costs.

The SE 3 may have a lower price as a result. It’s expected to launch in late 2024.

Apple’s nextApple WatchSE could come with a very different case. Where the currentApple Watch SE 2has an Aluminium backing, Apple is reportedly working on a version that swaps the metal for rigid plastic instead.

The use of plastic instead of metal would cut the cost of making Apple’s budget smartwatch, and that in turn could mean a lower price.

According toBloomberg, whose story revealed Apple’s possible plans, that could mean a more competitive price that would be closer to that of theSamsung Galaxy Watch FE. That’s £199; the Apple Watch SE 2 is £249.

The Apple Watch SE has already experimented with different materials to cut costs: it has a nylon composite back rather than the ceramic and crystal you’ll find on the Apple Watch Series 8 and 9.

What to expect from the Apple Watch SE 3

The use of a plastic casing isn’t definite yet; Bloomberg says it’s “one idea that the company has tested”.

Another likely upgrade is to the Watch SE 2’s heart rate sensor. That’s a second-generation version, but the normal Apple Watch has had a third-generation sensor since 2020’s Apple Watch Series 6. Similarly the fast charging that was introduced in the Apple Watch Series 7 is long overdue in Apple’s more affordable wearable.

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If Apple sticks to its previous upgrade cycle, the next generation of the Apple Watch SE should appear later this year: the first and second generations of the Apple Watch SE launched in September 2020 and September 2020 respectively. Bloomberg has previously predicted a similar autumnal release date for the third generation model.

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