Apple seems poised to unveil a fresh take on the Apple Watch SE during its upcoming “Awe Dropping” event, set for a little more than a week from now. Although we’ve been tossing around the name Apple Watch SE 3 for ages, the big question remains: will that be its actual name?
We’re not entirely sure what this shift implies, but it could signal a departure from the design cues borrowed from the Apple Watch Series 4 era. Instead, it might lean toward something closer to the Series 7 vibe. Of course, that’s pure guesswork at this point, but there’s some history to back it up—especially since Apple rolled out a bolder aesthetic with the Series 10.
Additionally, rumours have circulated about Apple opting for a plastic body on the next SE model. Things have gone quiet lately on that front, but if it pans out, it could significantly reduce the cost.
Just looking at how Apple phased out the SE label from its iPhones, it wouldn’t shock me if the watches follow suit. With the first Apple Watch SE, they included an older processor, unlike the premium Series 6. These days, though, the SE shares the same chip as the top-tier models—and leaks suggest that this will stick around for the Series 11.
A rebrand to something like Apple Watch Series 11e would align neatly with Apple’s push toward numeric simplicity across its OS updates, all of which are expected to hit version 26 this year. It’s a smart moment to streamline the branding.
We might even see a similar tweak for the Apple Watch Ultra, but I’d say that’s a longer shot in my view.
