Nearly seven years after its last appearance, ceramic is set to return as the casing material for the Apple Watch. The timeframe is broad – the return could happen as early as this year or as late as 2027. In a year without a major redesign, a new material would be the only visible change on the wrist.
As things stand, the Apple Watch will not receive a new design in 2026. Neither the Series 12 nor the Ultra 4 are expected to undergo a redesign, and a new SE model is not planned for this year. This makes a report that focuses on the surface all the more significant: Mark Gurman writes in his Bloomberg newsletter that Apple is planning the return of a ceramic case – either this year or next. Gurman is one of the most reliable sources on Apple's product planning, but the two-year timeframe makes this information unusable for determining a specific purchase date.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Ceramic is expected to return as the case material for the Apple Watch, reportedly this year or next.
- The material was last available in 2019 in the Apple Watch Edition Series 5, and was discontinued in 2020 with the market launch of the Series 6.
- Currently, only aluminum and titanium are available; Apple has not used the "Edition" designation for years.
- In 2019, the ceramic version was by far the most expensive model in the series, with a starting price of €1,399.
Two possible years for the return
The wording in the report leaves both dates open. If the decision were made this year, the material would arrive in September along with the Series 12 and the Ultra 4. If it were made in 2027, the ceramic version would be released alongside the generation that is already expected to receive a major redesign, including a new strap system.
The report doesn't specify the scope. It remains unclear whether ceramic will be limited to the Series models, include the Ultra series, and what colors it will come in. Expectations for the upcoming generation are summarized in the overviews for the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4.
Ceramics have already been featured twice in the program
The material has a checkered history at Apple. With the Series 2 in 2016, a white ceramic case was introduced to the product line for the first time under the name Apple Watch Edition. A dark version was added in 2017 with the Series 3.
With the Series 4 in 2018, both ceramic options disappeared from the selection list. A year later, the material returned with the Series 5, but only in white and alongside the then newly introduced titanium version. It was finally discontinued in 2020 with the market launch of the Series 6.
The material's appeal explains the demand on the secondhand market: ceramic is significantly more scratch-resistant than aluminum and retains its deep gloss for years. The disadvantage is its weight, and ceramic breaks where metal deforms.
What a ceramic case should cost
The report does not contain any price information. A point of reference can be derived from the historical gap between the material grades and today's German prices.
| Material | Model | Price in Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Apple Watch Series 11 | from 449 euros |
| Titanium | Apple Watch Series 11 | from 799 euros |
| Titanium | Apple Watch Ultra 3 | 899 euros |
| Ceramics | Apple Watch Edition Series 5 (2019) | from 1,399 euros |
In 2019, the ceramic version was therefore around three times more expensive than the aluminum model of the same generation, which started at 449 euros.
Applying the historical price point to today's structure, a ceramic version would clearly be positioned above the Ultra 3. We therefore expect a model in the four-figure range, priced above the entire previous series – a device for a small target group, not for the mass market. The buying guide for the Ultra 3, Series 11, and SE 3 shows how the current material levels compare to each other.
The only visible innovation is a material
In a year without any changes to the design, the casing material receives the attention that would otherwise go to the overall design. This explains precisely why Apple is re-examining this option right now: A new material can be shown, photographed, and handled in the store without having to change a single internal component.
For everyday use, this doesn't mean much. Sensors, chip, and battery life aren't dependent on the casing, and anyone wearing the watch for sports is better off with aluminum anyway. This version becomes interesting for those who prioritize appearance over weight after two years of wear – ceramic shows hardly any signs of wear. If you belong to this group, it's worth waiting for the material selection in September instead of opting for the titanium version now.
The question of materials will be decided in the autumn
Whether ceramic will be available in the configurator in just a few weeks will be clarified with the unveiling of the new generation. If the options remain aluminum and titanium, the return will be postponed until 2027 – and would then coincide with a watch that is already intended to look different from anything since 2015. (Image: Apple)
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