Will the Apple Watch Series 12 come in a ceramic version? A recent leak seems to suggest just that: After a six-year hiatus, the extremely scratch-resistant material is set to make a comeback. This hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, but two independent sources are painting a similar picture.
Kosutami and Gurman: Two Sources, One Story
It all started with the well-known Apple leaker Kosutami, who wrote on X: “Hell yeah, Ceramic Watch is back. We’ll see it at Series 12.” In other words: The ceramic watch is back—and it’s coming with the Series 12.
Hell yeah, Ceramic Watch is back. We’ll see it at Series 12.
— Kosutami (@Kosutami_Ito) August 19, 2026
Shortly before that, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman had already reported in his “Power On” newsletter that Apple could bring back the ceramic option “later this year or by 2027 at the latest.” Gurman doesn’t specify an exact date, but the two statements support each other.
Ceramic is a comeback, not a new addition
This wouldn’t be entirely new: Apple already had several ceramic models in its lineup between 2016 and 2019.
- Series 2 (2016): white ceramic case, which Apple claims is “four times harder than stainless steel”
- Series 3 (2017): additional gray ceramic variant
- Series 5 (2019): Return of the white ceramic case
- Series 6 (2020): Ceramic disappears from the lineup without a replacement
Since then, the material has been a thing of the past at Apple, but it remains in demand on the secondhand market. Well-preserved ceramic models continue to fetch above-average resale prices to this day.
Why Ceramic Is So Scratch-Resistant
The advantage of ceramic over stainless steel or titanium lies in the material’s hardness. A long-term test by Ben’s Watch Club, cited by Notebookcheck, shows that ceramic cases withstand drops and scratches significantly better than the metal versions. Apple used precisely this argument to promote the first generation of ceramic models back in 2016.
Price and Weight: The Catch
This scratch resistance doesn’t come for free. In terms of weight, the ceramic version is likely to be similar to the stainless steel model, weighing approximately 39.7 or 46.7 grams, depending on the case size. This would make it noticeably heavier than the aluminum models.
The price trend is also becoming clear: even the ceramic version of the Series 5 cost significantly more than the aluminum or stainless steel models. A similar pricing structure is expected for the Series 12.
| Material | Scratch Resistance | Currently Available | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Base | All series | Entry-level |
| Stainless Steel | Mid-range | Series 1 through 11 (select models) | Mid-range to high-end |
| Titanium | High | Ultra Series, Series 10 and 11 | Upscale |
| Ceramic | Very High (according to Apple 2016: 4 times harder than stainless steel) | Series 2, 3, and 5, most recently in 2019 | Expected to be the highest |
When will the Apple Watch Series 12 be released?
Apple traditionally unveils its new Watch models in September, alongside the iPhone. No other release date is expected for the Series 12, so the market launch is likely just a few weeks away. Whether the ceramic model will be available right at launch or won’t be released until 2027 cannot yet be determined with certainty from the current leaks.
We’ve already summarized other design changes in our article on rumors surrounding the Apple Watch Series 12. There’s also fresh speculation about its larger sibling; details can be found in our article on rumors about the Apple Watch Ultra 4.
Conclusion
Only Apple itself knows for sure whether the Apple Watch Series 12 will actually come with a ceramic case. However, two independent sources that agree on this point are a good sign that there’s some truth to the rumor. Anyone hoping for a case that’s as scratch-resistant as possible should definitely be prepared to pay a premium and, just in case, be patient until 2027.
