Rumors are swirling that Apple’s upcoming Apple Watch SE 3 might be targeted towards young kids as a potential smartphone alternative. The smartwatch is expected to sport a more durable, cost-effective plastic casing instead of the traditional aluminum body. This move could make the Watch SE 3 an affordable and attractive option for parents who are hesitant to give their children full-fledged smartphones.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the plastic casing would allow Apple to keep the price under $200 and market it as a kid-friendly device. With cellular connectivity, the Watch SE 3 could potentially handle basic communication needs,like calls and messages, reducing the need for a separate phone.
However, there’s a catch. Currently, all Apple Watches require an iPhone to function. If Apple truly wants to position the Watch SE 3 as a smartphone replacement for kids, they’ll need to find a way to circumvent this dependency. Perhaps we’ll see some innovative changes in the software or connectivity options to make this possible.
Apart from the plastic casing, the Apple Watch SE 3 is rumored to feature a 1.61-inch display and be powered by an updated S9 chip. It’s likely to retain most of the essential features of the regular Apple Watch models, although some advanced health features might be omitted to keep the price down.
While the Apple Watch SE 3’s potential as a kid-friendly smartphone alternative is intriguing, it remains to be seen how Apple will address the iPhone dependency issue. If they can overcome this hurdle, the Watch SE 3 could be a game-changer, offering a safe and affordable way for parents to stay connected with their children while limiting their exposure to the distractions and potential dangers of smartphones.
