Apple is preparing to unveil the next generation of smartwatches, the Watch Series 12, and although a radical redesign is not expected, insiders are reporting a possible return of one of the most recognizable elements of the lineup — the premium ceramic case. This information has been disclosed by several independent sources, making the rumor relatively solid, although the company has not yet provided official confirmation.
What the Insiders Say
The first to claim the return of ceramic was the insider known as Kosutami, who asserts that the ceramic Apple Watch will appear specifically in the Series 12 model. Notably, journalist Mark Gurman of Bloomberg had previously noted that Apple is considering bringing this material back to the new generation of smartwatches. The convergence of assessments from two independent sources increases confidence in the rumor, although neither of them has access to the company's internal documents.
The History of the Ceramic Case
Apple first used ceramic in white for the exclusive Apple Watch Edition Series 2. In the following generation, Series 3, the company added a gray version of the ceramic case. After a gap in Series 4, the ceramic version briefly returned in Series 5, but starting with Series 6 the developers completely abandoned this material. Thus, ceramic has been absent from the lineup for the past few years, which makes its potential return a notable event.
Price and Positioning
The ceramic case has always been positioned as the most expensive and premium option in Apple's lineup. In the event of an official announcement, buyers should be prepared for a high price: at the time of the Apple Watch Series 5 launch, it was precisely the ceramic version that topped the lineup with the highest cost. This means that even if ceramic returns in Series 12, it will remain a niche product for connoisseurs rather than a mass-market offering.
Contradictory Data
The insiders' statements differ in their degree of certainty. Kosutami states the forecast categorically — the ceramic case will "return" and appear specifically in Series 12. Mark Gurman, on the other hand, used a more cautious formulation, noting that Apple is merely "considering the possibility" of bringing ceramic back. This difference is important: the first source speaks of a decision already made, while the second — of a stage of discussion. Until the official announcement, it is correct to consider the return of ceramic a likely but not guaranteed scenario.
Context: Unannounced Devices in the macOS Tahoe Code
A separate point of interest is a parallel finding: in the macOS Tahoe code, developers discovered identifiers for Apple devices that have not yet been announced. The majority of the new mentions relate to the smart home ecosystem and audio devices. This indicates that the company is actively preparing a wide range of hardware for the next cycle of announcements, against which the appearance of a premium version of the watch with a ceramic case looks like a logical addition.
Bottom line: the return of the ceramic case in the Apple Watch Series 12 is supported by two independent insider sources and aligns with the historical logic of the lineup. The final answer will come from Apple's official announcement, where ceramic will most likely once again occupy the top price tier.
