Overview
- Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman wrote in his Power On newsletter that Apple is planning to reintroduce a ceramic case option, a claim published on Sunday, August 9, 2026, and not yet confirmed by Apple.
- The ceramic option could arrive as soon as late 2026 or in 2027 and is being linked to the next Apple Watch lineup, commonly referred to as Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.
- Ceramic was previously used on Apple Watch Edition models (first in Series 2 and briefly returned in Series 5) and carried a substantial premium, with past versions starting around $1,299.
- The finish is made from compressed zirconia and alumina polished with a diamond slurry, a process Apple marketed as making ceramic much harder and more scratch resistant than steel.
- Reporters say the rest of the hardware updates are expected to be modest and focused on performance, likely a new chip, and the return of ceramic could target luxury buyers and shift resale demand for older ceramic models.