Bloomberg suggests initial adoption could start with Apple Watch casings, with potential expansion to iPhones and Macs if successful.

This initiative builds on Apple’s existing 3D-printing efforts, including a titanium enclosure for the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

The move aligns with sustainability goals by reducing raw material use and enabling recycled materials, such as 3D-printed recycled metal powder used in titanium-cased watches.

Apple is reportedly exploring a new aluminum manufacturing approach for its devices, using additive manufacturing or 3D printing to produce aluminum components for wearables.

Bloomberg notes Apple’s manufacturing design team and operations department are evaluating 3D-printed aluminum parts to potentially boost manufacturing efficiency.

The same 3D-printing strategy is linked to a broader move, with MacBook Neo reportedly using a new process that reduces aluminum usage to save material and cost.

The potential benefits include better material efficiency, possible weight reduction, greater design flexibility for complex internal structures, and improved durability and water resistance.

If scalable, the technology could extend beyond wearables to iPhones and laptops, signaling manufacturing innovations shaping next-generation consumer devices.

The effort remains experimental, tested for several years across various materials, with a possible rollout on future Apple Watch models before broader adoption.

Details on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 include satellite and 5G connectivity, an LTPO3 OLED display, 42 hours of battery life (72 hours in Low Power mode), and new sleep score and hypertension notifications features.

The additive process would build parts layer by layer rather than subtracting from solid blocks, aiming to cut material waste and boost production efficiency.

Although not confirmed by Apple, context includes recent launches such as the MacBook Neo and the Apple Watch Ultra 3.