Aluminum vs SS - which Apple Watch 4 you get?

[Pez555]

I’ve had the S0 SS for 3.5 years now. Spent £580 and now it’s worth £50. I just don’t see the resale value in these things, which is why I am tempted to go with the aluminium this time around, just worried about the screen scratching. How durable are they?

 

[colonelbutt]

well its £200 diff in the UK and I still went for the SS

£200 over a couple of years is not much and you'll get half back in the difference with alu when you sell it in 1-2 years if in good condition

for me its essential as:
1. The sapphire glass doesn't scratch. The ion glass gets scratched up after only a few months on me
2. The shiny silver colour goes with virtually any colour strap which is a lot more fun. The matte silver of the alu is much more limited
3. It feels so much better and more robust in use
4. It looks more like an art object. Its just a feel good factor but I love it

I don't buy the short term usage argument, you can easily use it for 2-3 years and the longer you do the less it costing per month

Everything is taste. Up to you ...

 

[ron1990]

Aluminum

 

[bambooshots]

Aluminum.

I have no interest in cellular (because of the fees and charges) and have gotten tired of paying for features I don’t use at all.

My OG Apple Watch and Series 3 are stainless steel and I am a watch guy, but for something that will be replaced in 2-3 years, I’ll go ahead and take that $300 savings this time around and get the aluminum, GPS only watch.

It will be an interesting experience, as I have managed to scratch both the SBSS case AND sapphire screen on my Series 3.

Now, if Apple would give use a GPS-only SS option for $130 over the base aluminum model, well then, I will spend the extra $130 for SS. But not another $270 for SS, GPS, AND cellular.

 

[PBz]

I had the original as well as the S3 LTE Aluminum. I recently gave in and upgraded to S4 Aluminum.

.. then.. I decided to exchange my S4 LTE Aluminum for the S4 SS.

My thoughts..
Not a cheap upgrade. I ‘made room’ with some other purchases/non-purchases.
The aluminum is nice and will be fine for really anyone.. I didn’t like that after less than a year I was getting little scratches that I could see, edges and top of display. FWIW, I don’t like, or use, screen protectors. I like the ‘feel’ of naked Apple glass.

If you are OK with adding protective film then the Alum model may be fine for you.. or if small scratches dont’ bother you then.. also fine.

The SS isn’t too heavy. I run with my AW and I can feel a TAD more weight but it’s so minimal I cannot imagine it being bothersome or really affecting anyone. Tighten the strap.

I like the Alum in SG but I LOVE the SS in SB. I use an Apple Sport Loop and black Apple Sport Band. I plan to add a white band as I think the contrast would look nice.

My $0.02 is if you have the cash get the SS.
If you can make it work and scratches bother you get the SS + AC+
If you can’t make the $ work get Alum and protective film if you care about scratches.

I rocked the Alum for a year so I still think it looks good.. I just REALLY like the look/feel of the SS.

 

[itsmemuffins]

I got the aluminium because Apple doesn’t sell the stainless steel in Ireland.

 

[littleredwagen]

had an Aluminum S2, decided this time around to go for the Stainless in space black. I like it much classier and closer in look and appeal to my other non-smart watches. I don't upgrade every cycle either. So for the extra I sprung this time.

 

[sdwaltz]

I have a gold stainless S4 and a space gray aluminum Nike S3.

As someone above said, two different watches, two different scenarios. I wear a suit and tie to work so I thought the gold stainless would be good during the day, and then I switch to the SG S3 at night. The weight difference is pretty wild, honestly.

 

[GreyOS]

Aluminium, I didn’t need cellular and stainless steel is preferable but was too expensive for me (UK prices).

 

[lyricthejoe]

I have the gold aluminum Series 4, but after I've already discovered some scratches on the display I decided to switch to the Space Black Stainless steel. It's also worth mentioning that this watch is a replacement sent to me from Apple after their most recent software bricking fiasco (already scratched). As a "we're sorry" gesture, Apple sent me a free Space Black Milanese band. It will be nice to have the $799 version for the $699 price, I must say.

 

[techno-Zen]

I have a SS S4.. but man. The resale value is soooooo terrible on that model.

 

[rawCpoppa]

I have a SS S4.. but man. The resale value is soooooo terrible on that model.

Keep it forever

 

[techno-Zen]

Keep it forever

Best thing to do, be a second year adopter and get your $1000 SS model for like $300

 

[44267547]

I have a SS S4.. but man. The resale value is soooooo terrible on that model.

True. I accepted that the stainless model holds no other value to the average consumer over the aluminum model, they just don’t care about the aesthetics or really know that it includes the sapphire display. I just plan on using the Apple Watch until it’s no longer supported or the battery fails, whichever comes first.

 

[techno-Zen]

True. I accepted that the stainless model holds no other value to the average consumer over the aluminum model, they just don’t care about the aesthetics or really know that it includes the sapphire display. I just plan on using the Apple Watch until it’s no longer supported or the battery fails, whichever comes first.

I've even considered selling this and grabbing a Nike Series 3.. I love the Nike faces and I'd feel less bad scratching a Series 3 than a new Series 4. B&H has the Midnight Fog Nike W/ cell for $299 right now.. tempting.

 

[Disneymom2003]

I had the original SS. I loved it. I just bought the SS 4. Weight is not an issue for me either. I do not like bumpers or screen protectors. I also don’t want to see scratches. I don’t upgrade every year so I buy the one I want. I am not concerned with resale value.

 

[techno-Zen]

I guess for me, I'm forcing myself to be a "previous year" adopter. I may even keep the Series 3 I have coming my way from B&H until a Series 6. But we'll see..

If I am wowed my a Series 5, then the financial bite may not be as bad if I were to sell the aluminum watch.

 

[j0nblayz]

I had the original aluminum series 0, however this time I finally decided to get the SS space black. My understanding is that S4 finally has a 64bit processor, which means (hopefully) will be supported longer like the iPhone 5s. With that in mind, i splurged and bought the SS. Loving it so far, screen is so much bigger on the 44mm, and weight is literally a non issue, I can't even tell the difference.

Performance wise is night and day difference, S0 was almost useless, everything took forever to load (if it loaded). S4 everything is instant, finally feel like I can use this watch for what it was intended for. Wife and I have been using the Walkie Talkie feature daily, so useful. If you have been waiting to upgrade to an SS, might finally be the time to get a SS. Lets hope the 64bit processor will provide long term support from Apple.

 

[athletejmv]

I've had stainless in the past mostly for the "Sapphire" glass. The glass holds up VERY well... scratches are hardly noticeable (unless you are using a light at varying angles... scratches are much less than the Ion-X... not as deep or wide) unlike the alternative. With that said, a case and screen protector work just as well on the aluminum model. I debated between both heavily. The aluminum Xion glass scratches very easily... but with a screen protector it's not an issue. That said, if you want to use your watch "naked," go for stainless. If you plan to use a screen and body protector, save yourself the money and get aluminum.

After owning SS in the past (awesome if you have the $), for series 5 on a disposable device, I opted for aluminum with case and screen protector.

Either product you'll more than likely be happy.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I've had stainless in the past mostly for the "Sapphire" glass. The glass holds up VERY well... scratches are hardly noticeable (unless you are using a light at varying angles... scratches are much less than the Xion... not as deep or wide) unlike the alternative. With that said, a case and screen protector work just as well on the aluminum model. I debated between both heavily. The aluminum Xion glass scratches very easily... but with a screen protector it's not an issue. That said, if you want to use your watch "naked," go for stainless. If you plan to use a screen and body protector, save yourself the money and get aluminum.

After owning SS in the past (awesome if you have the $), for series 5 on a disposable device, I opted for aluminum with case and screen protector.

What you say is a bit misleading in regards to the aluminium model. You only need a screen protector and a case on it if you are engaging in activities in harsh environments. For everyday use and wear, an aluminium watch isn’t going to ‘scratch easily’.

I felt I had to add context here as I read all too often comments on here that make the aluminium model sound cheap and scratch prone. This isn’t the case and I’d hate to think people are reading some of these comments and spending twice as much as they need to due to the perception these watches get covered in scratches without much effort.

 

[44267547]

What you say is a bit misleading in regards to the aluminium model. You only need a screen protector and a case on it if you are engaging in activities in harsh environments. For everyday use and wear, an aluminium watch isn’t going to ‘scratch easily’.

You’re entitled to your opinion to that member, but don’t dismiss it. There’s nothing misleading what they said versus their experience over yours, when the Ion-X Glass does scratch relatively easily.

Now, when we talk about scratches on a display, I don’t necessarily think we mean ‘gouges‘, but hairline scratches that are distracting when you look at the display. There’s been dozens of forum members on here who have shared that members thoughts and my own, but it certainly isn’t misleading somebody else’s experience.

Take into account, everybody sees things a little bit differently, maybe a hairline scratch is more distracting compared to what you see that you perhaps overlook. So I vouch for what they said, and From my experience with the ionic display, I was displeased, which is exactly why I agree to the stainless for the sapphire.

So if somebody is reading this post, maybe they would be interested in the Sapphire display For the more expensive models, given they didn’t know what included it, and they have that option if they don’t like to see scratches/use cheap screen protectors.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

You’re entitled to your opinion to that member, but don’t dismiss it. There’s nothing misleading what they said versus their experience over yours, when the Ion-X Glass does scratch relatively easily.

Now, when we talk about scratches on a display, I don’t necessarily think we mean ‘gouges‘, but hairline scratches that are distracting when you look at the display. There’s been dozens of forum members on here who have shared that members thoughts and my own, but it certainly isn’t misleading somebody else’s experience.

Take into account, everybody sees things a little bit differently, maybe a hairline scratch is more distracting compared to what you see that you perhaps overlook. So I vouch for what they said, and From my experience with the ionic display, I was displeased, which is exactly why I agree to the stainless for the sapphire.

So if somebody is reading this post, maybe they would be interested in the Sapphire display For the more expensive models, given they didn’t know what included it, and they have that option if they don’t like to see scratches/use cheap screen protectors.

I suppose it depends on context of ‘easily’. I could easily drag the face of my watch down a brick wall and it would undoubtedly be scratched in an easy manner. I could whack my wrist into a door frame and that would also quite easily scratch the watch face.

My point though was about adding context and not leaving it wide open to interpretation. In daily use the watch isn’t going to scratch unless it encounters and accident or is abused. The sapphire display on the stainless model by mechanical property is weaker in an impact than the Ion-X Glass due to the hardness of the material. That could be easily smashed but I’d not make that claim without context, for example a heavy impact. It’s all relative if truth be told.

 

[Monkswhiskers]

I have had my SS4 a while and have zero marks on the screen, plenty of scratches on the case but after the first few I took this thread👇 as inspiration and do not baby the watch at all.

Apple Watch S0 Stainless Steel after years of heavy abuse

Thanks. Goes to show I’ve never used AppleCare before.

forums.macrumors.com

 

[russell_314]

I got the aluminum S4 and will get the aluminum S6 when it comes out. The only advantage of SS is looks and harder glass. My biggest dislike of the SS is weight. If you're used to wearing a traditional SS watch this may be a non issue. It nearly doubles the cost so for a device that gets replaced every few years it doesn't make financial sense. Now of course if you have the extra money and want a dressier watch then the SS would be the ticket.