The new Apple Watch SE could be the star of an all-new, affordable Apple device catalog

Apple products are known for two things: excellent workmanship, design and the use of high-quality components, as well as the price, which reminds us of this.

But with belt-tightening taking place across the globe, Apple plans to breathe new life into its SE (Special Edition) catalog — which offers more affordable and accessible versions of its more popular devices that run on the same impressive software and offer many of the features found on its more premium models.

The Apple Watch is the latest device rumored to be getting a refreshed SE version. BloombergThe Independent’s Mark Gurman reports that the company intends to compete on price with its cheaper wearable rival, the $199 Samsung Galaxy Watch FE.

Apple Watch SE (3rd Generation): Everything We Know So Far

Apple is reportedly working on a prototype of a new third-generation Apple Watch SE that will be priced even lower at $249 to match the $199 price tag of the Galaxy Watch FE, according to frequent Apple insider Mark Gurman.

To do this, Gurman reports that the new iPhone SE could ditch its aluminum casing in favor of a rigid plastic shell. While this could potentially be a step down in terms of durability and premium aesthetics, it’s a method Apple could use to shave significant dollars off the cost of its wearable — especially if it plans to use the same cost-cutting in-house 3D printing methods used for the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s titanium components.

Beyond that, not much is known about what to expect from the latest Apple Watch SE, but it’s safe to assume the device will feature a new processor that will allow it to take advantage of Apple Intelligence features heading to watchOS.

There’s also no word on what to expect from the health and fitness tracker’s sensors. However, it’s unlikely we’ll see features for detecting high blood pressure/hypertension or sleep apnea, as Gurman notes that testing has reached a critical point for the former, and legal disputes over Apple’s infringement on Masimo Corp’s blood oxygen measurement patents are preventing the latter.

Apple SE Generation: Affordable Price

News of an Apple Watch SE refresh is more than welcome. The wearable’s last refresh came in 2022 and brought with it a solid wearable experience — even if its low cost meant it lacked the temperature, blood oxygen, and ECG sensors that its Apple Watch Series 8 counterpart had.

But with Apple’s lineup constantly evolving (it includes Macs, iPhones, iPads, AirPods, Watch, and now even spatial computing devices with the Vision Pro), an affordable model that keeps up with the times and doesn’t break the bank is essential.

Thankfully, the Apple Watch isn’t the only Apple device that’s been rumored to be getting a more budget-friendly option. Recent rumors suggest we can expect similar SE models or affordable alternatives, and the following devices are reportedly in the works.

iPhone SE4

iPhone SE 4 in blue. Render based on leaked information and reports.

(Photo credit: Laptop Mag / Rael Hornby)

One of the more specific launches that you can expect in the next 12 months is the iPhone SE 4. A number of leaks and prototypes have appeared online, with the affordable iPhone now apparently adopting a more modern design reminiscent of the iPhone 12 from the company’s last smartphones.

What’s more, the iPhone SE 4 could feature an OLED display, the A16 Bionic processor, and the all-new iPhone 15 action button. That’s a whole list of improvements for the iPhone SE, which was last refreshed in 2022 with a more retro design inspired by the iPhone 8.

While there is no concrete information about the iPhone SE 4’s price, previous launches have suggested it will be priced in the $450-$500 range, making it a serious competitor to mid-range devices like the Google Pixel 8a.

Apple Vision Pro

(Photo Source: Bloomberg / Contributor)

In April, we learned that the premiere of the successor to the Apple Vision Pro had been postponed, and in June, information appeared about work on a cheaper Vision model.

Apple’s premium $3,500 spatial computing headset is a nod to the cutting-edge of AR/VR headset technology, but it hasn’t made the impact many expected — especially since its competition comes from the much cheaper and better-known Meta Quest 3.

Those expecting a similar $499 price tag for the next Vision device shouldn’t hold their breath: From what we know so far, Apple plans to drop the price of its more modest future model to a more “affordable” $1,600 — a price point more in line with Meta’s premium Quest Pro headset at launch.

MacBook SE

MacBook Air Models

(Photo source: Apple)

One of the more interesting rumors that emerged in 2023 was a report from Numbers claiming that Apple is currently working on creating a low-cost MacBook. But while most Macs are trying to compete with Windows for market share in desktops and laptops, this one would have an entirely new target in its sights: the Chromebook.

In an effort to provide the education sector with an affordable alternative to the MacBook, Apple is apparently willing to develop the MacBook at minimal cost — forgoing premium materials and components to remain competitive with Chromebooks in terms of price and performance.

Numbers It has been suggested that an announcement could come in the second half of 2024, though given the little information available on the initial report, it’s hard to say whether Apple’s ambitions have been dashed or the project has been delayed.