TechGadgetsAppleApple brought ceramic back for the Series 12Apple is bringing back its pricier, more durable option. It should be more scratch-resistant than titanium.Apple is bringing back its pricier, more durable option. It should be more scratch-resistant than titanium.by Cameron FaulknerSep 9, 2026, 6:19 PM UTCShareGiftThe new ceramic colors: pearl white and night blue. Image: The Verge via ApplePart OfAll the news from Apple’s ‘Surprise and shine’ eventsee all updates Cameron Faulkner is an editor covering deals and gaming hardware.
He joined in 2018, and after a two-year stint at Polygon, he rejoined The Verge in May 2025.The Apple Watch Series 12 is launching with a ceramic option, making it the company’s first wearable since 2019’s Series 5 that can be configured with the pricey, scratch-resistant material. It can be configured with either pearl white or night blue ceramic finishes, and it starts at $899, going up to $949 if you purchase the 46mm size.While Apple didn’t resurrect its “Apple Watch Edition” branding for the Series 12 (it stopped using the name in a forward-facing manner when the Series 4 launched), the new ceramic option is similarly made for high rollers who won’t mind shelling out far more than the Series 12’s $399 starting price.It’s interesting to look back at Apple’s history of high-end case material options. While it started with an 18-karat rose or yellow gold case option for the first Apple Watch, the company switched to ceramic as its premium option for the Series 2, 3, and 5. Since 2019, each launch has offered aluminum as the most affordable option, plus either stainless steel or titanium (sometimes both) as pricier alternatives.Apple Watch premium build materials through the yearsModel nameMost expensive case optionSeries 118-karat goldSeries 2CeramicSeries 3CeramicSeries 4Stainless steelSeries 5CeramicSeries 6TitaniumSeries 7TitaniumSeries 8Stainless steelSeries 9Stainless steelSeries 10TitaniumSeries 11TitaniumFollow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Cameron FaulknerAppleApple Event 2026GadgetsSmartwatchTechWearableApple skips the base iPhone 18 at its fall launch eventTom Warren3 minutes agoApple completely revamped iOS 27’s controls and apps for the iPhone DuoTerrence O’Brien10 minutes agoThe Apple Watch Ultra 4 is ready for the new SiriAndrew Liszewski39 minutes agoMost PopulariPhone 18 live blog: On the ground at Apple’s biggest eventApple announces the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro MaxLG TVs caught spying even when offline or on standbyThe iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldableApple says ‘Fold’ and competitors ask ‘How wide?’Advertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native ad
