Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Watch SE With Colorful Plastic Design 'Remains in Development'

I really miss plastic (whatever kind) phones. Usual pros (not always):
  • No or less of a need for a case (much lower risk of shattering, although there's risk of cracks)
  • Grippier
  • Lighter
  • More colour or sometimes even motif options (usually, as it is easier to do)
  • Cheaper (to make at least 😂)
  • No antenna placement issues, same with wireless charging
  • Doesn't feel so hot or cold
I'm always amused when I read about 'premium materials'. Titanium? Possibly. 'Glass', aluminium and stainless steel? :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: brucemr
Since the Series 10 removed the back plate for a unified body case, I'm guessing the SE would probably do the same and be made of composite nylon, which is currently the material used for the back plate.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TechnoTiger3000
ArchEtech said:
Im ready for a magnesium ultra iphone.....
Click to expand...
That has possibilities, especially since it has a high-energy battery inside.

"New iPhone SS, for Super Secure! If the password fails three times the battery shorts to the case and the iPhone burns to ashes. Why should Jim Phelps have all the fun? With the optional Total Security Plan your iPhone's last act will be to send a message by cellular, wi-fi and satellite to Apple where your iCloud account will be completely wiped to NSA standards! 'I was never there, that never happened' will be your claim and your iPhone will never betray you."

The police will have to carry class D fire extinguishers to have any hope of using your phone against you.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: asdfjkl;
jayducharme said:
I really liked the design of the 5c series. The problem was that it was saddled with old tech but wasn't appreciably less expensive. I'd love a return to the 5c design as long as it had up-to-date tech.
Click to expand...
If the rumors turn out to be even moderately close to the truth, the next iPhone SE may very well be much closer to the phone you have in mind. Apple reportedly wants all new devices going forward to work with AI. So that means an A17 or A18 chip and 8GB of RAM right off the bat. Of course, you’ll likely still get an older display screen and notch. You’ll also probably get an Apple modem. That could be good, bad or neutral. But you will get 5G. So it could be a device worth considering.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jayducharme and bb9
Still seems odd to offer the entry watch in plastic. I can see offering a cheaper model for some groups, eg kids, but it de-values the SE for the current audience… so we’ll see what really happens… wouldn’t be surprised to read Gurman “Apple changed its plans…”
 
seems to make sense, 99.95% of people are gonna wrap their expertly machined aluminum, titanium, stainless steel or whatever phone in plastic or rubber anyway (case). why not have the lower price phone just come from the factory that way. just make sure the lens is flush with the plastic back please, we don't need 2 layers of plastic overheating the damn thing...LOL.

would be great if you could pop the back off of these and replace the battery like you could some years back on smartphones, but that will probably never happen.
 
Last edited:
I’d be in, day one! I hope this doesn’t come any time soon, or I’m likely to regret getting the Jet Black one.

I wish they’d do a new C iPhone too, that was the prettiest model they ever made (except maybe the Jet Black).
 
  • Like
Reactions: bb9
The iPhone 5c is still one of Apple's most gorgeous products. (Mine is still hanging out in a desk drawer, trying to figure out what to do with it.)
 
  • Like
Reactions: polyphenol and bb9
Biro said:
How much you want to bet the new iPhone SE will have a polycarbonate frame as well? Maybe that’s why Gurman says Apple is running into quality issues during development
Click to expand...
Gurman talks up his rumors like they’re titanium, but they always end up being cheap plastic.
 
phenste said:
yall please just hear me out on why this is a good idea—Apple Watches are rapidly becoming very capable health devices, and a plastic SE could come in at an incredibly low price point. given Tim Cook has said he believes Apple will be remembered most for its impact on health, I’m hard-pressed to believe they would sacrifice any health-related features for this model—while doing everything else to keep it as affordable as possible. maybe I’m dreaming but maybe Apple is aiming to put out a $99 smartwatch and that, on the heels of turning a $250 pair of earbuds into OTC hearing aids, would be amazing
Click to expand...
No one’s saying it’s a bad idea. They want to make more money, not less. LOL'ed at "rapidly". Your text is obviously written by ChatGPT.
 
JordanCautious said:
Realistically, giving kids a cellular, plastic Apple Watch as opposed to a phone makes sense. Especially if you want to keep track of them through Find My. I don't have kids personally, but I can see a lot of reasons why a plastic Apple Watch makes sense.
Click to expand...
It doesn’t feel right to let kids track things like active calories. With eating disorders on the rise, there should be a kids' version of the OS that handles this better before we give them these, no? Just a thought.
 
Replacing alluminium with plastic does not necessarily mean same form factor.
I would not be suprised if only the display (from an older apple watch version) kept its form factor and the plastic was wrapped arround it just like watch for kids look like. One can expect kids will behave like kids do.. run, jump, scream, fight.. enjoy life.
 
Last edited:
winxmac said:
I prefer the build of iPhone 5c to the iPhone 5, 5s, SE 2016

I wish Apple would make some iPhone in the future with stainless steel frame with polycarbonate shell like in iPhone 5c...

I never owned an Apple Watch but it would be interesting how Apple would price it...
Click to expand...
iPhone 5c looked adorable and fun. Would be nice to see a comeback to that design.
jayducharme said:
I really liked the design of the 5c series. The problem was that it was saddled with old tech but wasn't appreciably less expensive. I'd love a return to the 5c design as long as it had up-to-date tech.
Click to expand...
Yeah the design wasn't bad, it was priced horribly which is why it failed. During that time, I could get a 5s for only a $100 more.
 
I don’t see any mention of this plastic watch in Gurman and Bloomberg’s at-best nonsensical newsletter. Did they already remove it? Read carefully and you’ll see there’s never even a hint of where their supposed info is coming from. That’s because they have NO LEGITIMATE SOURCES at Apple.
 
I'm excited about the possibility of a more affordable smartwatch with a colorful plastic design. It sounds like a great option for families who want to introduce kids to smartwatches without breaking the bank. What do you think about the trade-off between cost and durability when it comes to plastic casings? And how do you see the market reception for a budget-friendly Apple Watch SE with a plastic design compared to previous models?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Funny Apple Man
TechnoTiger3000 said:
No one’s saying it’s a bad idea. They want to make more money, not less. LOL'ed at "rapidly". Your text is obviously written by ChatGPT.
Click to expand...
If only, only that was written by AI.. it was the same AI that posted it. But what if another AI replied… to whom am I replying to ? :-o
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: TechnoTiger3000
ellpee said:
I don’t see any mention of this plastic watch in Gurman and Bloomberg’s at-best nonsensical newsletter. Did they already remove it? Read carefully and you’ll see there’s never even a hint of where their supposed info is coming from. That’s because they have NO LEGITIMATE SOURCES at Apple.
Click to expand...
"A new Apple Watch SE with plastic shell remains in development. Earlier this year, I reported that Apple is working on a plastic version of the SE watch in bolder colors. The idea is to potentially bring down the price with a cheaper material, while also making the device more kid-friendly. This could be good timing: Schools in the US and elsewhere are banning kids from using phones, and Apple is positioning its smartwatch as an alternative.

Though a new Apple Watch SE wasn’t part of last week’s launch event, I’m told that the product is still moving forward — potentially for next year. Apple’s manufacturing teams have been running into some cost and quality challenges with the shift to plastic, but they may have a freer hand to resolve the issues now that the transition from steel to titanium on higher-end watches is complete. Other than adding plastic, I expect the new SE to include a processor jump. The current SE is stuck on 2020-era speeds."

(I do agree Gurman is overhyped)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back