3D-Printed Apple Watch Could Be Cupertino Firm's Next 'Big' Plan: Report

Apple is reportedly testing 3D-printing for its products including the upcoming Apple Watch 9.

Apple is reportedly experimenting with 3D printing to produce the upcoming Apple Watch Series 9. Several reports claim that the information came from people who are familiar with the company's plan.

If the early tests go well, the new process will be implemented in other products such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and more.

Are 3D-Printed Apple Watches Coming Soon?

3D-Printed Apple Watch Could Be the Cupertino Firm's Next 'Big' Plan: Report
If initial test goes well, Apple will continue this trend with other devices aside from Apple Watch. Anastasiya Badun from Unsplash

Bloomberg describes Apple's decision to use 3D printers in creating devices as a "major manufacturing shift."

On Wednesday, Aug. 30, the publication noted that if all goes according to plan, the Cupertino giant will include it as an official part of the manufacturing process for the devices. This is expected to take place for the next few years.

At the time, Apple used slabs of metal to give shape to the Apple Watch chassis. With the application of 3D-printing, the iPhone maker will save a lot of time in device manufacturing.

Will Apple Also Use 3D-Printing For Apple Watch Ultra?

By 2024, Apple could be preparing to create a 3D-printed version of the titanium-enclosed Apple Watch Ultra, per CNBC's report. The company has not yet mass-produced enclosures for iPad and Mac.

In April 2022, the tech titan said that it has a vision to manufacture devices out of recycled steel or aluminum (for enclosures).

The same component is not new anymore to Apple. The company previously said that 59% of the aluminum it used to produce gadgets was obtained from recycled materials.

While 3D-printing could be the next big thing for Apple, Apple suppliers have been developing the process for at least three years.

With the confirmation that it will be a major part of the production, we could only assume that the future Apple Watches will be 3D-printed if the results of the experiment favor the firm.

Apple September Event is Just Around the Corner

This week, Tech Times wrote a report that the upcoming Apple event will finally land this September. More announcements about our favorite devices such as MacBook, the new iPhone 15 lineup, and Apple Watch Series 9 are expected to be the highlights of the tech show.

With Apple fans anticipating the hype around the new devices, it's time for the company to hook them up with the new changes that everyone is expecting along the way.

As such, the iPhone Max version will be changed to the "Ultra" variant, according to some sources. The arrival of the new smartphone model will coincide with the introduction of Watch Ultra.

Apart from that, other Apple products that will come this year are the new USB-C charging case for AirPods, color-matched USB-C cables, and Apple Watch bands.

In the software division, Apple could likely welcome the updates for watchOS 10, iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and tvOS 17. This is what the developers have been waiting for a long time.

Joseph Henry
Tech Times
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