Apple’s rumored plastic Apple Watch SE has reportedly hit a serious snag

Engadget - Mar 23rd, 2025
Open on Engadget

Apple's plans for a more affordable, kid-friendly Apple Watch SE with a plastic shell are facing significant hurdles. According to Mark Gurman, the project is 'in serious jeopardy' as the design team is dissatisfied with the aesthetic appeal, and the operations team struggles to produce the casing at a cost lower than the current aluminum version. This development follows the absence of a new Apple Watch SE announcement at last year's September event, raising concerns about the viability of the plastic design.

Contextually, the push for a cheaper Apple Watch SE aligns with Apple's strategy to capture a younger demographic and expand its market share. However, the challenges highlighted by Gurman indicate potential setbacks in innovation and cost management within Apple's product development process. The delay in releasing a refreshed model is significant as the current second-generation Apple Watch SE is seen as outdated, suggesting that Apple may need to explore alternative approaches to deliver a compelling update to its smartwatch lineup.

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RATING

6.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and timely examination of the rumors surrounding the potential release of a plastic Apple Watch SE, focusing on the challenges Apple faces in bringing this product to market. It draws on credible sources, such as Mark Gurman, to support its claims, but lacks direct input from Apple or a broader range of perspectives, which affects its balance and transparency. While the story is engaging and relevant to those interested in Apple's product developments, its impact and public interest are somewhat limited by its focus on internal challenges rather than broader market implications. The article's clarity and readability are strong, making it accessible to a general audience, but it could benefit from additional context and analysis to enhance its overall quality.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story accurately reports on the rumors surrounding the potential release of a plastic Apple Watch SE, mentioning the challenges in cost and quality as reported by Mark Gurman. However, it relies heavily on rumors and unnamed sources, which makes it difficult to verify all the details. The claim that the design team is dissatisfied with the look and the operations team is struggling with cost efficiency aligns with existing reports, but lacks direct confirmation from Apple or named sources. The assertion that the second generation Apple Watch SE feels 'bland' is subjective and based on a specific review, which may not represent a broad consensus.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of Mark Gurman and a specific review from Engadget, which could lead to a somewhat narrow view of the situation. It lacks input from Apple or other industry analysts, which might provide a more rounded understanding of the challenges Apple faces with the plastic Apple Watch SE. The story could benefit from including consumer perspectives or market analysis that addresses the demand for a kid-friendly smartwatch. By focusing primarily on the internal challenges and opinions of a few sources, the article may unintentionally skew the narrative towards a negative outlook on the product's development.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and straightforward, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the narrative of Apple's challenges with the plastic Apple Watch SE. It effectively communicates the main points, such as the cost and quality issues, and the dissatisfaction of the design team. The language is accessible and avoids technical jargon, making it easy for a general audience to understand. However, the article could improve clarity by providing more context on why these challenges are significant and what they mean for Apple's product strategy.

7
Source quality

The article cites Mark Gurman, a well-known and credible source for Apple-related news, which lends credibility to the claims about the plastic Apple Watch SE. However, the lack of direct quotes or statements from Apple itself limits the reliability of the information. The inclusion of a review from Engadget adds some depth but is not a primary source of information about Apple's internal processes. The reliance on secondary sources without direct attribution from Apple or other authoritative voices in the industry slightly diminishes the overall source quality.

5
Transparency

The article does not clearly disclose the basis for its claims or the methodology behind the reported challenges with the plastic Apple Watch SE. It mentions Mark Gurman's reports but does not elaborate on how these conclusions were reached or whether there might be any conflicts of interest. The lack of explicit context about the sources of information and the absence of Apple's perspective on the matter reduce the transparency of the article. Providing more background on the sources and their potential biases would enhance the reader's understanding of the story's foundation.

Sources

  1. https://www.theapplepost.com/2025/03/23/68143/apple-facing-challenges-with-rumored-plastic-apple-watch-se-redesign-report-claims/
  2. https://www.engadget.com/wearables/a-plastic-apple-watch-se-may-still-be-happening-but-not-until-next-year-203534583.html
  3. https://www.engadget.com/wearables/revisiting-the-apple-watch-se-in-2025-left-me-with-a-long-list-of-update-requests-163046835.html?src=rss
  4. https://machash.com/9to5mac/387065/apples-rumored-plastic-apple-watch-se-serious-jeopardy/
  5. https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/23/plastic-apple-watch-se-3-serious-jeopardy/?extended-comments=1