Ceramic Apple Watch Rumored to Return With Series 12

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to resurrect its ceramic Apple Watch casing with this year's Series 12 model, according to the leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami."

In a new post on X, Kosutami said that the casing will return with the Series 12. Apple first introduced a ceramic Apple Watch Edition with the Series 2 in September 2016, replacing the original gold Edition model and bringing the line's price down from thousands of dollars to a comparatively modest $1,249.

The white ceramic finish, made from a compressed zirconia and alumina powder polished with a diamond slurry, was marketed as being four times as hard as stainless steel. Apple expanded the material a year later with a gray ceramic option alongside the Series 3, but the Edition line disappeared entirely for the Series 4 in 2018, with Apple dropping ceramic and offering no high-end case option at all that year.

The white ceramic finish returned for the Series 5 in 2019 alongside an all-new titanium option, before Apple discontinued it for good when the Series 6 launched in 2020. The material has been absent from the Apple Watch lineup for six years since. It has since become one of the more sought after finishes among collectors on the resale market.

Earlier this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that the ceramic case option is expected to return either this year or in 2027. Kosutami's latest post suggests that the feature will indeed arrive this year.

The Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to feature a new chip for improved performance, alongside a selection of other small upgrades. The device is expected to be introduced alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 4, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and first foldable iPhone next month.

Article Link: Ceramic Apple Watch Rumored to Return With Series 12

 

[hajime]

So Apple is doing all sorts of things to increase the cost of their up-coming products?

 

[Rychiar]

none of the costlier finishes are worth it in a device that dies entirely in a few years

 

[Living the Dream]

Bringing it back because the Series 12 has little to no value with the minuscule upgrades

 

[satchmo]

They have either run out of ideas, or simply lost interest with Apple Watch and WatchOS.

We get a flurry of products 5-6 years ago and then basically nothing. At least grow the lineup with some type of smart band.

 

[neuropsychguy]

So Apple is doing all sorts of things to increase the cost of their up-coming products?

To have higher-end options for those who want to spend money on them? Sure. It's unlikely to be as expensive as the $10,000 to $17,000 (2015 USD) Apple Watch Edition.

 

[hokuspokus]

marketed as being four times as hard as stainless steel

I've never had any issues with the current cases. The watch is strapped to my wrist so I've never dropped my last one that I had for 4+ years. It did have a scratch on the screen that sometimes got in the way in terms of visibility depending on lighting. That's why my current one has the sapphire screen.

Are there other benefits to ceramic? Even aesthetically, is it noticeable?

 

[Core.2]

none of the costlier finishes are worth it in a device that dies entirely in a few years

Exactly what I was thinking when I saw the title. The cut off for WatchOS 27 is older than series 9, so far less life than a iPad/iPhone/Macbook bought at the same time.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I'm looking forward to the rumored shake up of the Watch line.

It's totally stagnant now.
As a Garmin user the AW lineup offers nothing that makes me even think of trying one again, let alone actually switching.

 

[CharlesShaw]

The price of a ceramic watch would help make the Ultra 4 feel less extravagant.

Oh, I'll still be enjoying my Ultra 1 on watchOS 26, thank you.

 

[PowerMac5500]

none of the costlier finishes are worth it in a device that dies entirely in a few years

My series 6 is going strong.

 

[Happy_John]

none of the costlier finishes are worth it in a device that dies entirely in a few years

Yep. This is the elephant in the room. It's what would put me off buying an Ultra or even a standard Apple Watch with non-aluminium frame.

Spending a lot of money on a mechanical watch made from expensive, durable materials makes sense. Spending a lot of money on an Apple Watch doesn't, or at least it doesn't until the internals are more geared towards repairability and upgradability.

Being able to reuse old enclosures would make buying a very expensive, durable enclosure far more compelling. This is the way with straps/bands already.

 

[btrach144]

I'm looking forward to the rumored shake up of the Watch line.

It's totally stagnant now, and as a Garmin user the AW lineup offers nothing that makes me even think of trying one again, let alone actually switching.

Just hoping they offer a way to use our old bands

 

[Atog]

none of the costlier finishes are worth it in a device that dies entirely in a few years

Yes. Even the aluminum version is more than good enough for disposable electronics like this.

 

[AlanMarron]

none of the costlier finishes are worth it in a device that dies entirely in a few years

You’re holding it wrong. My 7 and 9 are still going strong.

 

[TVreporter]

A "modest" $1,249?

Must be good times for the MR staff these days.

 

[PowerMac5500]

The price of a ceramic watch would help make the Ultra 4 feel less extravagant.

Oh, I'll be enjoying my AWU1 on watchOS 26, thank you.

I would have never considered either of those models in the past, but now I am. Specifically because my Series 6 has been rock solid. Device durability/longevity=trusted, along with my own growth over those years of use, has changed how I think about the investment. Paying more for a premium version of a device I use every day, over that kind of lifespan, now seems reasonable.

 

[IIGS User]

weren’t the old ceramic cases prone to cracking? IDK.

none of the costlier finishes are worth it in a device that dies entirely in a few years

This is so true. I don’t see the value in laying out for premium finishes on products that are so quickly obsolete. I suppose if you have the money to burn on it.

 

[jonnyb]

A "modest" $1,249?

Must be good times for the MR staff these days.

“Relatively” (when compared to $10,000 solid gold) modest. Macrumors knows how to write English words. They are not responsible for people’s inability to read them.

 

[Diopter]

My guess: it'll be the new signature material for the Hermès model only.

 

[BeatsByTim]

A "modest" $1,249?

Must be good times for the MR staff these days.

All those affiliate ads must pay bank.

This is probably my favorite looking finish but yeah, given that the batteries on these are only good for a few years it’s not worth it.

 

[BeatsByTim]

Maybe if they bring back leather products I can forgive Tim Cook for all the evil stuff he’s done.

 

[seek3r]

Maybe if they bring back leather products I can forgive Tim Cook for all the evil stuff he’s done.

I miss the leather too, switched to andar for my cases and barton for my watch bands, but evil stuff? 🙄 come on… What evil stuff?

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

All those affiliate ads must pay bank.

This is probably my favorite looking finish but yeah, given that the batteries on these are only good for a few years it’s not worth it.

You do know you can get the battery replaced for $49 (or free if you have Applecare+)? Who would throw away a $1000 watch because the battery died?

 

[foobarbaz]

Exactly what I was thinking when I saw the title. The cut off for WatchOS 27 is older than series 9, so far less life than a iPad/iPhone/Macbook bought at the same time.

Yeah. But this series comes with a new SoC, and those generations get the longest support. So if you're going to splurge on a luxury material, this is the generation to do it.

On the other hand, you don't miss out on much by not having the latest watchOS, either. The real cut-off date is when it stops pairing with the latest iOS.