Aluminium vs Stainless Steel

[gorkt]

The SS is 10grams more or about 33% heavier. 29g vs 39g or so.

Another thought I had was about the vibrancy of the SS screen. Now that I think of it, the SS on my series 0 was muted in comparison to the aluminum/ionX screen. Here is hoping that the OLED screens look brighter.

 

[Cnasty]

Just for clarification, regardless of GPS vs Cellular and SS vs Sport/aluminum, all watches have the ECG capability?

 

[Monado Blade]

Will the stainless steel be available without cellular this time? SS series 3 was unavailable in a lot of countries including mine just because it was only available with cellular.

 

[Cnasty]

Will the stainless steel be available without cellular this time? SS series was unavailable in a lot of countries including mine just because it was only available with cellular.

No it will not.

 

[Monado Blade]

No it will not.

Ah. A shame.

 

[fatalogic]

I’m going stainless this time but I’ll probably wait for the first price drop. My Nike s2 still works just fine and looks great even with no ceramic screen.

 

[skywalkerr69]

So I will use the cellular of the SS ZERO % of the time. So if I want the SS 44mm means I have to pay for a plan with it? or can I just not do that? Really sucks they don't have a non cellular SS watch. IMO cellular is useless on a watch.

 

[profets]

Too bad the resell value plumits by 50% or more even after the first year of each SS AW series. Too me not really worth the extra money for a "disposable" gadget, which i will upgrade a year or max 2 years later.

I disagree. I've gone through the following with Apple Watches:

2015: Original Stainless Steel
2016: Series 2 Stainless Steel
2017: Series 3 Stainless Steel
2018: Series 4 Stainless Steel (planned to order tomorrow)

Every year after I purchased the new one, I was able to sell the previous model for anywhere from 70-75% of what it cost me new. I even have a buyer lined up already for the Series 3 SS.

Not saying that one should choose SS or look at upgrading every year, but the resale value doesn't drop "by 50% or more after the first year".
[doublepost=1536852024][/doublepost]

Just for clarification, regardless of GPS vs Cellular and SS vs Sport/aluminum, all watches have the ECG capability?

That's correct. They all have that new designed ceramic back with ECG functionality. Though the ECG function won't be live until later this year and only in the US at first.

 

[barkomatic]

I was planning to get the stainless steel larger size but -- that price. With Applecare and tax I'm looking at almost $880

 

[Cnasty]

Every year after I purchased the new one, I was able to sell the previous model for anywhere from 70-75% of what it cost me new. I even have a buyer lined up already for the Series 3 SS.

Not saying that one should choose SS or look at upgrading every year, but the resale value doesn't drop "by 50% or more after the first year".

Definitely not the trend that is seen around here and my own personal experience. The value of the SS on a device that most, not all, will update annually is not worth the price of admission due to the resale value.

Now if you hold on to your AW for 2-3 years I would heavily lean to a SS over a Sport but I do not and the value proposition of the decline in resale is not worth it to me.

Again, all a matter of personal preference and how you enjoy your device.

 

[profets]

Definitely not the trend that is seen around here and my own personal experience. The value of the SS on a device that most, not all, will update annually is not worth the price of admission due to the resale value.

Now if you hold on to your AW for 2-3 years I would heavily lean to a SS over a Sport but I do not and the value proposition of the decline in resale is not worth it to me.

Again, all a matter of personal preference and how you enjoy your device.

I dunno - where I am when I look at the resale market I see pretty decent prices for the SS models. It also isn't bad that with the Series 3 sticking around only in aluminum that having a discounted SS Series 3 definitely looks attractive to many.

In general I don't disagree though. There was enough improvements early on that I was happy to upgrade every year (primarily for performance improvements as I use my Watch quite a lot). But going forward I think I'm going to plan on upgrading every other year.

 

[Cnasty]

But going forward I think I'm going to plan on upgrading every other year.

I am thinking this avenue as well especially with the "larger" upgrade this year with hardware and some of the internals that I feel next year will be a very small update.

Meaning it may be a good idea for a 2-3 year SS run and now you have me doubting all my beliefs. Thanks

 

[WLS]

Has anybody wondered if Apple may be using a stronger glass for the series 4 aluminum. I don't see why they would not since it is supposed to be a big redesign.

 

[DDustiNN]

Too bad the resell value plumits by 50% or more even after the first year of each SS AW series. Too me not really worth the extra money for a "disposable" gadget, which i will upgrade a year or max 2 years later.

You don't need to upgrade your watch every year like your phone. I've had the original since launch, and I'm only just now upgrading to the series 4... because mine will no longer be getting OS updates. Plus, that screen!

 

[squirrrl]

200 dollars not to look like a tool seems like a pretty good deal to me.

Not saying the aluminum looks bad but the screen protectors do.

It's going to take more than $200 to make you not look like a tool! Sorry couldn't resist. But it's $300 difference if you don't care about the LTE. In the end, if it's choosing to buy one SS watch for myself or 2 (one for me and one for my wife) for almost the same price, I'm going with the latter. Wish I had the disposable income to pay a $300 premium though so to each his/her own.

 

[Cnasty]

Plus, that screen!

Yes for durability but I have had my series 3 from launch and not one scratch or ding on it.

With that being said, isnt the ION X glass even brighter and crisper than the Sapphire as well?

Durability its no contest but is it REALLY that much worth it?

 

[hr10]

I am reading new SS models are getting scratches on the screen
Gen0 SS user here, i have zero scratches and watch held up very well.
anyone can comment if SS doesn't scratch easily?

 

[DDustiNN]

Yes for durability but I have had my series 3 from launch and not one scratch or ding on it.

With that being said, isnt the ION X glass even brighter and crisper than the Sapphire as well?

Durability its no contest but is it REALLY that much worth it?

To me it is. I've had the original Apple Watch since launch, which has been banged into numerous doors, handles, metal frames, etc. Sides are all scratched up. But years of abuse later, the face is still pristine. Not a single blemish or even a micro-scratch. It's amazing.
[doublepost=1536867613][/doublepost]

I am reading new SS models are getting scratches on the screen
Gen0 SS user here, i have zero scratches and watch held up very well.
anyone can comment if SS doesn't scratch easily?

Where have you seen this? Is it not the same type of glass? (Serious question - I don't know)

 

[coolerkid]

I have the aluminum and the SS. Regardless of which you prefer the looks of, I'd get SS purely for the durability. I'm still using my 1st gen SS watch and it still looks great, and I can polish it at any time to make it look practically brand new. I've had my aluminum one for only 4 months, even with a case and screen protector it has a lot of little nicks in it. And when you get a nick in the metal it looks white, so against the black body, they are very noticeable. If I didn't have a screen protector the screen would be scratched by now too. The aluminum is VERY delicate.

I'll be getting a gen 4 in SS. Trying to decide between the black and silver. I had the silver before, and always thought it looked tacky. I want the black, but the only downside is it can't be polished.

Yes SS is more expensive, especially now that they only offer the cellular option. But if it doesn't break the bank for you I think it's really worth it. It's going to be the one thing you look at every day and that's attached to your body more than anything else. And with the little that Apple updates it, you probably won't need a new one for like 3 years.

 

[bsforever]

S

I am reading new SS models are getting scratches on the screen
Gen0 SS user here, i have zero scratches and watch held up very well.
anyone can comment if SS doesn't scratch easily?

Stainless steel series 0 here with a scratched sapphire screen. No idea how I got it as well.

 

[Steveuk82]

For what it is worth my Gen 1 watch was aluminium and after a year it had a scratch on the screen and side.

My gen 2 is SS and has no marks or scratches.

I plan to keep my Gen 4 for at least 2 years; so it will be SS for me.

 

[dojoman]

Anyone owns Milanese loop on SS? Will the watch band scratch the case because you might rub the band while putting on the watch. If I were to get SS I might as well go all the way and get a nice band along with it and save $50. Milanese loop costs $150 if bought separately.

 

[RA1N1]

I didn't realize what that meant...

So with the Sapphire crystal front glass on the Stainless Steel versions, I don't need a screen protector?
I was assuming I did.

I still have all my SS Apple Watches since Series 0 and never got them scratched and never had screen protector, but the differens between the SS and Aluminum, the Sapphire glass is a lot tougher compared to none Sapphire version ( Ion X ), it's all depending on the user how they use their product and in what environment they'll have it on, that's a factor maybe you need to consider and possibly the need for screen protector.

I hope this explain your question better.

 

[Cnasty]

Started this morning full gung ho, S4 Nike SG again as I have loved my S3 in that configuration.

Watched a gazillion videos, visited a ton of threads here, favorited my XS Max in gold with the forrest green leather case and now I am leaning heavily to a SS Gold S4.

I dont own anything gold in my life but wear a ton of navy,grey and brown suits for work and think this will be a combo that is pretty nice with the milanese and a brown leather band in the future. Not to mention they have released a forrest green leather loop as well...my favorite color ever.

Stupid Apple!

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

This is the way that I look at it.... SS is about 50% more expensive than the aluminum. So for the same money you can upgrade aluminum every 2 years as SS every 3 years (or any equivalent ratio of time). So which is more valuable for you; the earlier upgrade cycle or the classier look + durable screen.

Up till now, I was firmly in the "earlier upgrade cycle" camp, because such an immature product was sure to see big improvements in the near future. With Series 4, I think AW has finally matured. Obviously there will be improvements over the next couple years, but they will likely be less substantive than from Series 0-4. The AW Series 4 appears to have a good processor, good cellular capability, updated sensors (HR, ECG, improved motion controls)... Battery is sufficient for me (I do periodic "top offs" during the day during showers etc). The only thing I can think of that I really want is an always on display.

Point being, I think it might actually be time to go SS if it is something desirable for you and you have the $$ to do so.