Will the Ceramic Apple Watch Make a Stunning Comeback This Fall?
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The ceramic Apple Watch could be making a comeback — and it might happen as soon as this coming model year. That’s according to the latest from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, who says that the Cupertino company is re-evaluating the Apple Watch lineup and considering a variety of radical new designs.
Ceramic is Back, Baby!
In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says he expects to see the ceramic case option for the Apple Watch make a return either this model year or 2027. The original ceramic Apple Watch Edition debuted with the Series 2 in September 2016, replacing the original gold Edition model and selling for the modest price of $1,249 (well, modest when compared to the Gold Edition’s $10,000 starting price).
The Apple Watch Series 2’s white ceramic casing was made from a compressed zirconia and alumina powder polished with a diamond slurry. Apple marketed the finish as being four times as hard as stainless steel. While the Series 3 updated that by adding a gray ceramic option, Apple stopped offering the option with the debut of the Series 4 in 2018, which dropped all high-end case options.
The white ceramic finish saw a brief return in 2019 with the Apple Watch Series 5, alongside an all-new titanium option. Apple discontinued the option, seemingly for good when the Series 6 debuted in 2020. The scarcity of the ceramic finish among Apple Watches has led to its popularity among Apple Watch collectors. (Yes, there are Apple Watch collectors.)
Gurman says that he expects Apple will continue making only modest upgrades to the Apple Watch lineup each year. The upcoming Series 12 and Ultra 4 models are expected to receive some under-the-hood improvements that will provide their first real performance jump in years. The last two Apple Watch generations have been powered by the same S10 chip, which is effectively unchanged from the S9 chip that was introduced in 2023.
In addition to the return of the ceramic case options, Gurman says Apple has been working on new colors and bands, as well as a series of new health and fitness-related upgrades.
Apple Re-Evaluating Apple Watch Design
In the same newsletter, Gurman said Apple is re-evaluating the Apple Watch lineup and mulling over several potential new designs. The company is looking to adapt to the rising popularity of screenless fitness bands and smart rings that Gurman says are “cheaper, lighter and, for many people, more fun and convenient to use.”
Gurman compares plans for the Apple Watch’s evolution to the “revolutionary design change” that the foldable iPhone represents, saying it will be “something that transforms the product for a new era.” He reports Apple’s industrial design team has been “exploring a broader rethink of its smartwatches” for quite a while.
Several directions are being considered, including new Apple Watch-style devices with no display, as well as new Apple Watches with different types of screen and various new sizes. A round display has even been considered, although Gurman says you shouldn’t hold your breath waiting for that one. (Blue is not your color!)
Also under consideration are premium options that would sit above the Ultra and Hermès models, although more affordable options below the Apple Watch SE are also said to be under consideration.
Although the company has yet to settle on a direction for the Apple Watch product line, it is said to be “determined to reinvent the lineup in response to growing competition.” Apple also has plans for more AI features, including long-term plans to revamp the Health app.
The Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are expected to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and first foldable iPhone in September.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]
