Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Apple Watch SE might embrace a new look this year

Apple Watch SE with Nomad Aluminum Band
Prakhar Khanna / Digital Trends

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.

Recommended Videos

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.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

“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.

The World Time watch face showing on the Apple Watch SE 2.
Apple Watch Series 8 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

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 Sarwar
Nadeem is a tech journalist who started reading about cool smartphone tech out of curiosity and soon started writing…
Plan special events easily with the new Apple Invites app
Person looking at Apple Invites app on iPhone.

Apple has officially launched a new app for iPhone called Apple Invites. This app, anticipated since at least the beginning of the year, allows users to create custom invitations to bring together friends and family for any occasion.

Apple Invites is now available in the App Store. It enables users to create and share invitations, manage RSVPs, contribute to Shared Albums, and engage with Apple Music playlists, among other features. Apple Invites is also available on the web for those who do not own an iPhone or any Apple device. However, you must be an iCloud+ subscriber to create invitations. Anyone can RSVP, regardless of whether they have an Apple account or device.

Read more
Heart disease kills the most Americans every year — smartwatches might save us
A person wearing the Fossil Gen 5e smartwatch.

The American Heart Association just released its 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update report with some critically important stats. It mentions that heart-related diseases, which are on an upward trajectory across the globe, are the leading cause of death in the U.S.

The findings, which have been published in the Circulation journal, note that thousands of people die of cardiovascular disease in the country each day. The toll is so high that heart-related deaths account for more than the combined number of cancer-related and road accident casualties.

Read more
Apple may owe you money for your broken Apple Watch
Apple Watch Series 3 on wrist.

If you were an early adopter of the Apple Watch, you might be eligible for cash compensation. Apple has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit filed five years ago. This lawsuit covers the first-generation Apple Watch, as well as the Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 models, according to CNET. The lawsuit was initially filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and claimed that these early Apple Watches had batteries that swelled over time, which could potentially damage other essential components.
Settlement details for users
Apple Watch Series 3 Digital Trends

Apple will compensate affected customers between $20 and $50 for the settlement. The exact amount will depend on the number of claims submitted. To be eligible, you must have owned an affected Apple Watch and contacted Apple customer service about the issue between April 24, 2015, and February 6, 2024.

Read more