Display analyst Ross Young says Apple is working on a third-generation of its budget-priced Apple Watch SE, and he says the displays for the new model have already entered production.
Young says that the new Apple Watch SE 3 will be available with 1.6-inch and 1.8-inch display sizes. The current Apple Watch SE 2 lineup is available in 40mm and 44mm size options, and Apple could possibly stand pat with those display sizes for the third-generation models.
The Apple Watch SE has traditionally been based on a previous Apple Watch model. The current generation is based on the Apple Watch Series 6. It is possible that Apple could be planning for a larger Series 7 design with 41mm and 45mm sizes, or it is also possible that the new Apple Watch SE could receive an entirely new design.
While we have seen rumors that Apple had an Apple Watch SE in the works that used a hard plastic housing, allowing for a variety of “fun” colors, Apple is said to have given up on the plan. It was intended to reduce the manufacturing costs of the SE, although many believe Apple decided not to make that move, as it didn’t save enough to be worth the change.
“The design team doesn’t like the look, and the operations team is finding it difficult to make the casing materially cheaper than the current aluminum chassis,” Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said.
As with any report like this, take it with a grain of your favorite low-sodium seasoning. We won’t know anything for sure until Apple officially announces the Apple Watch SE 3, which could happen as soon as this September, alongside the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 models. Stay tuned.
