Apple’s approach to using plastic in its products has been cautious, primarily because it can impact the aesthetics and durability compared to materials like aluminum, stainless steel, or titanium alloy. Plastic is often considered when companies aim to cut production costs. Recent reports suggest that Apple might venture into this territory with the next iteration of the Apple Watch SE. Despite the objections from Apple’s design team, they might have no choice in this shift.
Current market conditions show that the plastic version of the Apple Watch SE is priced similarly to its metal counterpart, which might be a source of frustration for the design team. To remain competitive, Apple might be considering a more budget-friendly version of the Apple Watch SE. According to insights reported by major tech commentators, a transition to a plastic build could be a viable solution to lowering costs.
The challenge lies in the fact that the proposed plastic version doesn’t significantly lower the watch’s price compared to the metal variant, ruffling feathers among the design team due to concerns over the product’s aesthetic appeal. Yet, if the primary goal is to make the smartwatch more affordable, plastic might be the only path forward. While Apple’s higher-end smartwatch models have experienced strong sales in the past, numbers have recently started to decline. This stagnation can be attributed to newer models lacking innovative features and improvements, particularly in battery life.
Despite this, Apple sees potential in the low-end market, which the Apple Watch SE could tap into if priced right. Given the compact size of the smartwatch, there are limited ways for Apple to cut costs on components, making a plastic chassis potentially necessary for hitting the desired lower price point. It remains to be seen if this revised Apple Watch SE will debut later this year. Keep an eye on further developments and announcements from Apple regarding their strategy for the more economical version of their popular smartwatch.
