Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?
Apple embarked on a design refresh trajectory for its smartwatch line last year, starting with the Apple Watch Series 10. Now, the company is reportedly eyeing a similar treatment for the Apple Watch SE refresh that arrives later this year.
In the latest edition of his PowerOn newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman mentions a design makeover for the entry-level smartwatch. “A fresh version of the lower-end SE model will sport a new look,” says the report.
Gurman didn’t dig into details about the specific changes buyers can expect from the next Apple Watch SE. A previous Bloomberg report, however, mentions that the aluminum casing could be replaced in favor of plastic.
“Perhaps it’s looking to get the cost down,” said the report. It is not clear whether Apple would reduce the asking price, but it is more likely that plastic would help offset the cost of newer — more expensive — innards.
The Apple Watch SE currently starts at $249 in the U.S. Samsung, on the other hand, offers the Galaxy Watch FE for just $200, while the Galaxy Watch 6 — with all its bells and whistles — starts at merely $50 above the Apple Watch SE.
Assuming Apple goes with a plastic chassis — and that’s a big assumption — it would be interesting to see how the build quality holds up compared to the aluminum kit Apple has used so far.
Plastic would be easy to scuff, though it may not look as ugly as the scratched paint on a metallic surface. With plastic coming into the picture, we can also expect a whole bunch of fun new colors, too. Think of the iPhone 5c, if you will!
An updated processor is expected, but there are no reliable details on whether the updated aesthetic language would also entail a larger display, a bigger battery, or a slimmer profile.
As far as features go, we are not expecting any major upgrades. ECG, in its current iteration, would most likely remain exclusive to the pricier mainline and Ultra models as their highlight wellness feature.
However, if Apple finally ships blood pressure sensing this year, it is possible that some of the erstwhile top-tier health and wellness features could trickle down to the Apple Watch SE line.
Nadeem is a tech journalist who started reading about cool smartphone tech out of curiosity and soon started writing…
It really looks like the iPhone 17 is getting a 120Hz display next year
One of the biggest criticisms of regular iPhones in recent years has been their lack of 120Hz displays, which have been available in the iPhone Pro models going back to the iPhone 13 Pro in 2021. For instance, the iPhone 16, though celebrated for being the best iPhone on the market, still operates at a 60Hz refresh rate like many of its predecessors. However, this is expected to change with the upcoming iPhone 17 series set to launch next year.
Industry insider Digital Chat Station is the latest to confirm that all iPhone 17 models will feature a “high refresh rate” display. This information aligns with a September report from display expert Ross Young, who clarified that the entire iPhone lineup will feature 120Hz displays next fall.
Read more
Apple has stopped selling these three iPhones in the EU. Here’s why
From today forward, the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and the third-gen iPhone SE are no longer available for purchase in the majority of European Union countries. We knew this was coming after a set of EU guidelines stipulated that all mobile devices must charge through USB-C.
You’ll no longer find any of these phones for sale online in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and most other EU countries, according to MacRumors. The iPhone 14 generation was the last to use Lightning cables, so rather than update an already-outclassed handset, Apple pulled the devices from the market.
Read more
5 things I want to see from the Apple Watch in 2025
The year wraps up in a few more weeks, and 2024 was a pretty good one for Apple in terms of the iPhone 16 and the Apple Watch Series 10.
Apple made some big changes with the Apple Watch this year, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for improvement. Here’s what I’m hoping to see from the Apple Watch in 2025.
Longer battery life
Read more
