Aluminum OR stainless steel?

[vmflapem]

I know it sounds ridiculous to some of you but I am actually very bad at decision making. Please help me decide. It's for the Apple Watch 3 LTE model.
I am either getting an aluminum OR stainless steel model.

I like the aluminum model for the following reasons:
1. It is NOTICEABLY lighter. I've tried SS model for 2 weeks and it was heavy. I felt so relieved after I took off the watch at night. Also, it was a lot harder to wear to sleep for sleep tracking since it's heavy.
2. It is cheaper. New apple watch will for sure come out next year and another one will be released a year after that. So I am not sure if I should spend extra $$ for something that will feel outdated in just 2 years.

At the same time, I also like the look of the SS model and how they look nice with different bands. Also, many people were recommending SS model over aluminum so I am also heavily influenced by that too.

Can someone please help me make up my mind?

 

[lordofthereef]

It sounds like you are perfectly happy with aluminum. If you don't care about the sapphire glass scratch resistance it's a no brainer. You are otherwise happy (aside from what others have said) and you save a couple hundred bucks.

 

[kohlson]

I am pretty hard on watches. Been wearing an Apple watch aluminum for almost 2 years and it's held up such that it's like new.

 

[44267547]

I know it sounds ridiculous to some of you but I am actually very bad at decision making. Please help me decide. It's for the Apple Watch 3 LTE model.
I am either getting an aluminum OR stainless steel model.

I like the aluminum model for the following reasons:
1. It is NOTICEABLY lighter. I've tried SS model for 2 weeks and it was heavy. I felt so relieved after I took off the watch at night. Also, it was a lot harder to wear to sleep for sleep tracking since it's heavy.
2. It is cheaper. New apple watch will for sure come out next year and another one will be released a year after that. So I am not sure if I should spend extra $$ for something that will feel outdated in just 2 years.

At the same time, I also like the look of the SS model and how they look nice with different bands. Also, many people were recommending SS model over aluminum so I am also heavily influenced by that too.

Can someone please help me make up my mind?

I personally am a proponent of the stainless steel Apple Watch and the sapphire display. But the reality is, is the stainless model doesn't hold value anymore then the aluminum model. And the stainless model is 40% heavier over the aluminum model.

The stainless model can virtually be paired with any band. But I think the silver aluminum bottle can also have a wide variety of bands that pairs well.

My recommendation for use the aluminum model, which makes me think that you have an appreciation for the lighter weight and you can still pay paid plenty of bands, but you just won't have the Sapphire display and the shine of the 316 L stainless.

 

[BillGates1969]

I think go aluminium.

I personally have only ever had the SS (2 silver and now a space black), but I think your post is pointing towards the aluminium. It is lighter (something you noticed), cheaper ( a good thing) and as you say you will probably upgrade next year. Enjoy the experience and maybe go SS for the the AW4

The silver aluminium will pair with as many bands as the silver SS IMO too.

 

[stevefo]

I was in the same dilemma. I only wanted stainless steel for its Saphire display. I wanted the aluminum for its lightness and better brighter screen and lightness. The SS dulls the screen because of the saphire glass. The SS does pair well with any band but it’s also $200 more. I’ve heard the vibration Is better on aluminum because the SS is more dense and suppress the vibration. I decided on space gray with a black sport band and will purchase an apple leather band to go with it. I don’t regret my decision but still afraid I’ll scratch the screen.

 

[44267547]

I was in the same dilemma. I only wanted stainless steel for its Saphire display. I wanted the aluminum for its lightness and better brighter screen and lightness. The SS dulls the screen because of the saphire glass. The SS does pair well with any band but it’s also $200 more. I’ve heard the vibration Is better on aluminum because the SS is more dense and suppress the vibration. I decided on space gray with a black sport band and will purchase an apple leather band to go with it. I don’t regret my decision but still afraid I’ll scratch the screen.

The Ion-X Glass is fairly durable. But it doesn't have the resistance the sapphire does. If you are overly concerned about scratching it, I would invest into a screen protector. Armor Suit makes a quality protector available on Amazon.