Apple Faces Challenges with Potential Plastic Apple Watch SE and Blood-Pressure Monitoring Feature

Apple is reportedly encountering significant design and development challenges with its upcoming Apple Watch SE 3 and its more premium models. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the tech giant is considering switching the casing from aluminum to rigid plastic for the budget-friendly Apple Watch SE to lower its price. However, this change faces resistance from Apple’s design team due to aesthetic concerns, and the operations team struggles to make it materially cheaper than aluminum. Meanwhile, the anticipated blood-pressure monitoring feature, expected to be a highlight in the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3, is also experiencing testing difficulties. These setbacks have sparked concerns within Apple, especially after a lackluster 2024, and the company is under pressure to deliver innovative features amid declining smartwatch shipments. Moreover, the rumored plastic casing for the Apple Watch SE has seen mixed reactions, drawing parallels to previous experiments like the iPhone 5C. The use of plastic is intended to reduce costs and target the lower-end market. However, hurdles in both design and cost reductions render its future uncertain. The tech world keenly watches Apple’s ongoing struggle, highlighted by suggestions that they might abandon the plastic casing plans altogether. A shift to plastic may not be beneficial if it fails to substantially cut costs while compromising the product’s appeal. Yet, Apple's ability to innovate remains largely trusted, and whether it will overcome these challenges or opt for alternative strategies will only be known closer to the expected launch in September 2025.