Apple could redesign the Apple Watch SE 3 with a plastic case, and aim the watch at kids with bold new colors.
It looks like it could be a triple header for the Apple Watch at the company’s annual event this September, with the latest rumors suggesting a redesign for the Apple Watch SE 3.
Mark Gurman has previously reported in his PowerOn newsletter that Apple might switch the SE 3 to plastic from aluminum, possibly to compete with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE at the lower end of the market.
But in his latest newsletter (subscriber edition), Gurman alleges that Apple is set to make the Watch SE 3 more kid-friendly, and offer a wider array of colors.
The rationale is that plastic could be more kid-friendly as Apple pushes the Watch SE as a phone alternative for a younger generation. It also could allow for a better array of colors. And then there’s the cost factor. Many new smartwatch rivals are selling models for less than $200, undercutting the current $249 SE. Plastic may help get the price down.
Mark Gurman
Apple has already laid the foundation for an Apple Watch for kids with its Family Setup, which allows users to reuse old Apple Watches for children, leveraging features like GPS tracking, calling (with guardrails), and school time settings.
The new rumors suggest an even more kids-oriented device with a smaller, lighter plastic case suited for bumps and scrapes and fun colors. This aligns with an increased focus on wearables for kids, a market area where few major brands have ventured.
Fitbit has entered the kid-tracking space with its Ace LTE, though it’s currently limited to the US. The Ace LTE enables GPS tracking, communication, and activity-based games and rewards. It will be interesting to see how Apple markets this experience to children – beyond just the hardware – if the reports come to fruition. While Gurman is generally reliable on Apple rumors, he has been wrong in the past.
Wearable verdict
Wearables for kids are huge business in China – but that hasn’t translated into the West. But things are changing. Specialist kids’ watches are well established but tend to be plasticky and basic.
Apple has explored this area with Family Setup, but if you own a 45mm Apple Watch, are you really going to get your 8-year-old to wear a huge, heavy aluminum smartwatch? The feature is neat, but niche.
With a cheap Apple Watch SE 3 with a plastic build, it feels plausible that many would choose this for their kids and take advantage of the features. What’s more, Apple has established the eSIM LTE component with global carriers that can make it a success. That’s where the Fitbit Ace LTE has stuttered. It comes with a data plan, but the company has not launched it globally.
Apple could be about to shake up kids’ wearables – with minimal innovation needed.
