Apple is working on bringing back a ceramic Apple Watch case option, with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reporting the material could return either this year or in 2026. The news comes from Gurman’s Power On newsletter, which cited active development work at Apple on the premium case material.
Ceramic has been absent from the Apple Watch lineup since 2020, when the Series 5 Edition was discontinued alongside the launch of Series 6. At its peak, the Series 5 ceramic model started at $1,299, well above the aluminum and titanium options that have defined the lineup since. The material earned a dedicated following for its deep-gloss finish and high scratch resistance.
A History of Starts and Stops
Apple’s relationship with ceramic has never been straightforward. The material debuted with Apple Watch Series 2 in white, gained a black variant with Series 3, was dropped entirely for Series 4, then returned in white-only form for Series 5 before being discontinued again, making it nearly seven years since a ceramic Watch has been available new. Apple Watch titanium availability has itself had its own regional complications, illustrating how Apple treats premium case materials as a variable rather than a constant in the lineup.
As Gurman said in his newsletter:
And Apple has been working on an addition for styles, with the company plotting the return of a ceramic case option either this year or next.
This puts the timeline somewhere between a 2026 and 2027 release, and Gurman stopped short of saying the decision is final. Apple has reversed course on ceramic before, so treating this as confirmed would be premature.
Where Ceramic Would Fit in the Current Lineup
Apple Watch Series 11 currently starts at $399 in aluminum and $699 in titanium. A ceramic option, if priced in line with the Series 5 Edition’s $1,299 starting point, would sit considerably above both, creating a third tier that slots above titanium as an alternative premium finish rather than competing with the Ultra’s sport-focused positioning.
The Ultra remains titanium exclusively, so ceramic would not replace anything in that line. It would most likely arrive as an Apple Watch Series option for buyers who want a premium material without the sport-focused bulk of the Ultra.
