Why a plastic Apple Watch SE may very well be Apple’s subsequent massive hit

Pricing has all the time been Apple’s weak spot. Whereas the corporate is commonly considered as a premium model, CEO Tim Prepare dinner has labored exhausting to develop Apple’s product lineup to satisfy a broader vary of shopper worth factors. The product that represents this shift finest is the Apple Watch SE. First unveiled in September 2020, the now $249 wearable has been a fairly reasonably priced approach for customers to get into the Apple Watch ecosystem. Whereas the second-generation Apple Watch SE would not supply an always-on show, ECG, or quick charging, its low worth level is a worthwhile trade-off for a lot of.

Lately, stories have begun to pop up suggesting that the third-generation Apple Watch SE might change to a plastic casing. This prompted me to surprise: Does a plastic Apple Watch make sense?

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Apple’s historical past with plastic and different supplies

Materials experimentation

Apple / Pocket-lint

The Apple Watch has turn into considerably of a playground for Apple’s designers to experiment with new supplies. The present Series 9, SE, and each earlier mannequin because the authentic function an aluminum enclosure. The Apple Watch Collection 9 additionally is available in a stainless-steel casing for a premium worth. Ceramic has been utilized in earlier Collection fashions, whereas the Apple Watch Extremely is fabricated from titanium. Plus, who might neglect the infamous 18-karat gold authentic Apple Watch mentioned to have been gifted to extra celebrities than ever offered.

That is all to say that Apple’s designers get pleasure from working with new supplies. Exterior of Macs that used to make use of plastic enclosures commonly till the corporate switched totally to aluminum, essentially the most notable Apple product to make use of plastic was the iPhone 5C. Basically equivalent to the earlier the corporate’s 2012 flagship, the iPhone 5, the iPhone 5C solely had one distinction, its colourful polycarbonate (plastic) enclosure, which got here in blue, pink, inexperienced, white, and yellow. As of late, Apple has been fairly muted with its colours. Despite the fact that the iPhone 15, iPad, iPad Air, and iMac all have coloured choices, they give the impression of being as if the corporate is making an attempt to chop prices by saving on ink.

That is all to say that what made the iPhone 5C distinctive is its enjoyable, eye-popping colours. Coloration is one thing lacking from Apple’s lineup, not less than in a extra vibrant approach. The iPhone 5C’s plastic enclosure additionally made it considerably sturdy and fairly mild. The colourful telephone is commonly appeared again on as a horrible machine, principally from its time being offered as an 8GB mannequin. Nonetheless, its plastic enclosure isn’t one thing experimented with once more, which is unlucky.

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Ought to Apple make a plastic Apple Watch SE?

In all probability

Pocket-lint

Ought to Apple make a plastic Apple Watch SE, because the rumors recommend they might? It is a enjoyable query to ask. Plastic affords many benefits. Probably the most vital and sure fundamental driver is its decrease value than aluminum. Plastic might assist Apple decrease the value of the SE even additional or, at worst, maintain the value the identical. A lowered worth level makes the Apple Watch extra engaging as a present for youngsters and individuals who solely desire a health tracker, not a vogue piece.

Plastic can be lighter making it, once more, higher for each these customers. Hopefully, plastic would additionally imply extra enjoyable colours, permitting individuals to specific their personalities on their wrists. Mixed with a colourful Apple Watch strap, individuals might make some distinctive combos. As an Apple Watch Extremely wearer and an enormous fan of Stainless Metal (sure, over titanium), I would not be available in the market for a plastic Apple Watch. Nonetheless, I might see myself recommending it usually if it ever involves actuality.

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