Apple's Plastic Apple Watch Design Faces Uncertainty Over Cost and Aesthetic Concerns

Internal disagreements at Apple cast doubt on the rumored plastic-cased Apple Watch SE, though a refresh is still expected later in 2025.

The rumored plastic design for the next-generation Apple Watch SE is in 'serious jeopardy,' according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Apple's design team reportedly dislikes the look of the plastic casing, while the operations team has struggled to make it cheaper than the current aluminum model.
The potential plastic material was initially considered to lower costs and attract budget-conscious consumers, including parents purchasing for children.
Despite the uncertainty over the casing material, a refresh of the Apple Watch SE is anticipated by fall 2025, marking three years since the last update.
The current Apple Watch SE, released in 2022, starts at $249 and remains the company's entry-level smartwatch option.