Apple Watch Series 12 Ceramic Case Return Confirmed by Second Leaker — Premium Edition Expected at September Event

The ceramic Apple Watch is officially coming back. Leaker and prototype collector Kosutami posted on August 20: "Hell yeah, Ceramic Watch is back. We'll see it at Series 12," confirming what Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported earlier — that Apple is planning to reintroduce its ceramic Apple Watch casing as soon as this year.

Why Ceramic Matters

The ceramic Apple Watch finish, made from compressed zirconia and alumina powder polished with a diamond slurry, is marketed as being four times as hard as stainless steel. It debuted with the Series 2 in 2016 as the "Edition" model at $1,249, replacing the original gold Edition that cost up to $17,000. Apple brought it back for the Series 5 in 2019, then dropped it entirely with the Series 6 in 2020.

What to Expect

• Launch: September 2026 event alongside Apple Watch Ultra 4, iPhone 18 Pro, and possibly Apple's first foldable iPhone
• Price: The Series 5 ceramic started at $1,299 — expect a similar premium tier
• Other Series 12 upgrades: New S12 chip (T8320, first real chip upgrade since 2023), potential blood pressure monitoring, 2,000-nit peak brightness

Should You Wait?

If you want a premium Apple Watch, waiting for September is the clear call. The ceramic edition adds scratch resistance and a distinctive look that aluminum and stainless steel can't match. For budget buyers, the Apple Watch Series 11 at $300 on Amazon is a strong buy right now. Compare all options in our smartwatch guide.