Apple explores 3D-printed aluminium for iPhones and watches

Apple may soon make more products using 3D printing, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The company is looking into 3D-printing aluminum to make iPhones and Apple Watches more efficiently.

This new method could change how Apple manufactures iPhone enclosures and watch casings. Apple has already used 3D printing before. For example, the Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11 include partly 3D-printed titanium made entirely from recycled material.

Recently, Apple 3D-printed a titanium USB-C port for the iPhone Air. This part was praised for being thinner, stronger, and eco-friendly.

Currently, Apple is focusing on 3D-printed aluminium, which could make manufacturing cheaper and possibly lower the starting price of iPhones.

Apple also used a new manufacturing technique in the MacBook Neo to reduce the aluminum used, helping it reach a starting price of $599.

In addition, Gurman reported that Apple plans to refresh the iMac later this year with a new color palette, similar to the colorful MacBook Neo.