Apple could bring one of its most distinctive premium Apple Watch materials back later this year. A new report suggests a ceramic Apple Watch may return as soon as September.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is considering bringing the ceramic case option back to the Apple Watch lineup for the end of 2026 or sometime in 2027. The report doesn’t suggest a major redesign for the upcoming watches. Therefore, the potential return of ceramic would be more about the material and finish than a dramatic change to the familiar Apple Watch shape.
This would mark the first ceramic Apple Watch in several years. Apple originally introduced the material with the Apple Watch Edition Series 2 in 2016, initially offering a white ceramic case. The following Series 3 added a grey ceramic option alongside the white version.
Ceramic disappeared from the lineup with the Apple Watch Series 4. It then made a brief comeback with the Apple Watch Edition Series 5 in 2019. It was dropped again for the Series 6 in 2020 and hasn’t returned since.
If Apple does revive the material, it could once again sit firmly at the expensive end of the Apple Watch range. Ceramic was never a budget-friendly option. Even when the standard Apple Watch cost considerably less than today’s models, it was costly.
For comparison, when the Apple Watch Series 5 started at $399, the ceramic version cost $1,299 for the 40mm model and $1,349 for the 44mm version. That’s a substantial premium over other case materials available at the time. The stainless steel cellular model started at $699. In addition, titanium cost $799 and the Hermès edition retailed for $1,249.
There’s no indication yet of how much a revived ceramic model would cost. However, history suggests it could command a significant premium.
It’s also worth treating the report cautiously. This is the first rumour specifically pointing to ceramic returning for the 2026 Apple Watch refresh. At present, there are no confirmed details about which model would receive the material or what colours Apple might offer.
Still, with Apple expected to make its next major Watch announcements later this year, we may not have to wait long. We might soon find out whether ceramic is finally making its comeback.
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