Apple Watch SE may switch to an all-plastic casing to cut costs
It has been reported that the low-end Apple Watch model, the Apple Watch SE, may switch to a plastic casing to cut costs.
Apple Watch Series 10, Ultra 3 Details: Bigger Screens, Blood Pressure Challenge - Bloomberg
Apple testing plastic chassis for cheaper Apple Watch SE
https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/07/07/apple-watch-se-may-switch-to-an-all-plastic-chassis-to-lower-costs
Apple released the iPhone X , which adopted a new design, to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the iPhone. The Apple Watch, which first appeared in 2014 , will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2024, so it is rumored that the design will be revamped like the iPhone X.
Mark Gurman, a reporter well known for his highly accurate leaks of Apple-related information, has reported that Apple is planning to enlarge the display of the mid-range model Apple Watch Series 10 to coincide with the company's 10th anniversary. The development code names for the Apple Watch Series 10 are 'N217' and 'N218,' and it appears that the display size will be larger and will be almost the same as the Apple Watch Ultra. On the other hand, there will be no major changes to the design of the high-end model Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Both the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 will feature new chips, which Gurman noted could be the basis for future AI enhancements. However, he said it's best to hold off on expecting Apple's personal AI, Apple Intelligence , to appear on the Apple Watch. 'Apple Intelligence will only be available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and will later be available on Apple Vision Pro, but we have no plans to bring this initiative entirely to the Apple Watch,' he wrote.
Also, Apple announced the Apple Watch in 2014, but released it in 2015, so it is possible that a 10th anniversary model will be released in 2025.
In addition, Apple is developing technology to detect high blood pressure and sleep apnea, and these features were scheduled to be released in 2024. However, this effort is not progressing smoothly, and Garman points out that 'Apple is facing serious problems.' According to Garman, the technology for measuring high blood pressure was not as reliable as expected during testing, so the release was delayed. In particular, there are concerns about whether the blood pressure function will work properly on the Apple Watch Series 10.
Garman noted that Apple's blood pressure technology is not intended to replace the blood pressure monitors that consumers use at home. Unlike the Apple Watch's heart rate and blood oxygen monitors, the technology is not designed to measure actual blood pressure, but rather to monitor whether a person's blood pressure is above a certain threshold.
The company also faces major challenges with its sleep apnea detection feature, which is tied to blood oxygen saturation levels, but the technology behind it is currently facing a patent infringement lawsuit from medical device maker Masimo.
The US International Trade Commission rules that the Apple Watch's blood oxygen wellness measurement function infringes on medical device manufacturer Masimo's patents - GIGAZINE
Garman noted that Apple is also considering changes to how it makes its Apple Watches, and that there are internal discussions about 3D printing the cases of some models, which could speed up production and potentially help protect the environment by reducing material usage.
Apple is also reportedly working on a new version of its lower-end Apple Watch SE, possibly swapping the aluminum case for a hard plastic one. Gurman said Apple is aiming to cut the cost of the Apple Watch SE to a level where it can compete with rival Samsung's cheapest model, the Galaxy Watch FE, which costs $199.
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