Apple May Bring Back Ceramic Apple Watch Case

Apple is reportedly planning to reintroduce a ceramic case option for its Apple Watch, potentially as soon as this year, marking the return of a premium material that has been absent from the lineup for nearly seven years. The news, first reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter, indicates the company is plotting the return of the glossy ceramic finish either in 2026 or 2027.

The ceramic Apple Watch Edition was last offered in 2019 with the Series 5, which featured a white ceramic option. Apple first introduced the material with the Series 2 in 2016, replacing the original gold Edition model. The white ceramic finish, made from compressed zirconia and alumina powder polished with a diamond slurry, was marketed as being four times as hard as stainless steel. A gray ceramic variant was added with the Series 3 in 2017. However, the Edition line disappeared for the Series 4 in 2018, and the ceramic option was discontinued entirely with the launch of the Series 6 in 2020.

Since its discontinuation, the ceramic Apple Watch has become a sought-after item among collectors on the resale market. Owners have praised the material for its deep-gloss finish, scratch...