When the next Apple Watch SE comes out, it will have a new look. This change will make the cheaper watch look quite different. One major change is the use of a plastic case.

So far, Apple has kept the older design for its cheapest smartwatch, only updating the processor and keeping the price low. But for the next model, Apple is trying out an idea to replace the aluminum shell with a hard plastic one. Mark Gurman from Bloomberg mentioned this in his latest newsletter.

Apple Watches have come in various materials like aluminum, stainless steel, ceramic, titanium, and even gold in the first edition. But they have never used plastic before. Since the Apple Watch is usually seen as a premium device, why would Apple consider this change? It might be trying to lower the price to better compete with Samsung’s cheapest watch, the Galaxy Watch 4, which costs $199. The current Apple Watch SE starts at $249.

This would be a big change for Apple, as the last update to this model was in 2022. The report doesn’t say when the next Apple Watch SE might come out. For reference, the first Watch SE was released in fall 2020 and was based on the design of the Apple Watch Series 3. In September 2022, Apple launched the second-generation Watch SE, which looked like the Series 5 but without the always-on display.

Will Apple switch from aluminum to hard plastic? I’m doubtful. After all, their components are always top-notch, from tough glass or sapphire crystal protecting the display to the ceramic back of the watch. Gurman didn’t mention if the back case would change from ceramic to another material.

Apple likes to be seen as valuable but isn’t directly competing with Samsung. Remember, the Apple Watch only works with iPhones, while Samsung’s smartwatches are compatible with Android phones and even Galaxy phones specifically.

That’s all the news we have about this watch for now. Stay tuned for more updates!