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Wow, a lot of responses!!!

Regarding durability, I can find NOTHING on the website saying that the glass material is different between the two models on AW5, where do you see that?
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Under tech specs for each watch on the Apple site. It does show on the SS Sapphire Glass and Ion-X glass for the Aluminium.
 
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Man I own the AW series 3 Aluminium and I have scratches on the glass after using it for close to 2 years. Now I am upgrading to the series 3 and I am seriously considering getting the SS version just so I have greater durability. Having read all the responses so far, there are definitely pros and cons to owning an SS (cost, durability, resale value etc). I am still on the fence in this guys.

Ah man so hard to make a decision!
 
Man I own the AW series 3 Aluminium and I have scratches on the glass after using it for close to 2 years. Now I am upgrading to the series 3 and I am seriously considering getting the SS version just so I have greater durability. Having read all the responses so far, there are definitely pros and cons to owning an SS (cost, durability, resale value etc). I am still on the fence in this guys.

Ah man so hard to make a decision!

Look at it like this, you have 14 days to return the watch if you don’t like it. So if you have ‘buyers remorse’ for spending that kind of money on the stainless model, [even aside from the Sapphire display and 316 L stainless], you can still return it within that timeframe. I’m very particular about a how watch [feels] on the wrist and I prefer the more premium materials with stainless, etc.
 
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Look at it like this, you have 14 days to return the watch if you don’t like it. So if you have ‘buyers remorse’ for spending that kind of money on the stainless model, [even aside from the Sapphire display and 316 L stainless], you can still return it within that timeframe. I’m very particular about a how watch [feels] on the wrist and I prefer the more premium materials with stainless, etc.

What is one option.

Quick question, for those using the SS version as fitness trackers, is the weight noticeable compared to the aluminium version?
 
What is one option.

Quick question, for those using the SS version as fitness trackers, is the weight noticeable compared to the aluminium version?

Bolded: Yes. But like anything, you adjust to the weight where you won’t notice anymore if you wear the watch regularly. At first, yes, you will definitely feel the difference, but I also recommend keeping the strap snug on your wrist, that way the watch won’t slide around.
 
I'm clumsy and distracted and I still haven't managed to put any scratches or dings on my aluminum Watches (Series 0, three years, Series 3, one year). I'm sensitive to the extra weight of the stainless steel and prefer a lighter weight Watch. But most of all, I'm cheap so my Series 5 will be aluminum.
 
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Quick question, for those using the SS version as fitness trackers, is the weight noticeable compared to the aluminium version?

I wear my SS for running - typically 45 minutes three or four days a week plus a longer run on the weekend.

Yes, I noticed the weight of the SS when I switched to it from Aluminum. Doesn't affect anything and I don't really "feel" it unless I'm specifically focusing on it.

At one point in the past I regularly ran with an 82g Fenix3. The 47.8g of the Stainless Steel Apple Watch isn't a bother at all.

FWIW - I'm an average size guy.
 
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SS is prettier but loses value too fast for something I replace frequently. I’m not gonna pay an extra ~$300 each year to upgrade and not get it back upon trade in.

Aluminum is just a smarter buy for tech and makes the Apple Watch a much better value.
 
i prefer the look and durability of the stainless steel...i have had the silver stainless and the black stainless steel for 2&3...now the 5 i’m going for the gold stainless steel.
 
Hi!

I'm curious to hear which one of these you prefer and what made you choose one over the other?
I'm on the fence. I'm rocking a S3 and really want the bigger screen size as well as cellular! But the SS is like 40% more expensive!

I realise that this is a question that is very personal and "it's worth it to me, YMMV" type of responses, which is why I'm interested in hearing what made you choose one over the other so I can form my own decision instead of asking directly which one I should buy :)
I've owned both Aluminium and SS and for me the big difference is that the Aluminium Ion Xscreen will scratch when you bang the watch hard enough.
 
So just to be clear, it's actually the screen that you're scratching? Not the body of the watch?
I've still banged the watch so many times against door frames, doors, etc. and never had a single scratch ever :eek: How hard are you hitting the glass to make a scratch?

Aluminum is the Ion X display and SS is Sapphire. Select each watch and compare tech specs.

Under tech specs for each watch on the Apple site. It does show on the SS Sapphire Glass and Ion-X glass for the Aluminium.

Holy crap, that was well hidden! :p Thanks!


Question; If you're replacing the watch on a 2 year basis, what is a second hand AW SS vs AW Alu worth? Like how much of those $250 extra for the SS are you "losing"?
 
Just for clarity it’s a $220 difference between the $749 SS and $529 Aluminum cellular.

Expect to get not more than 10% of that back in resale of course.

I was mentoring the resale value not the new value. The resale seems to be no more than $10 or $20 after a year or so.
 
Had the SG aluminum S3 for 18 months. No scratches on the case or glass. Currently have the silver aluminum S4. Banged it pretty good a couple times last week by accident. No scratches.
The aluminum are not as delicate as people seem to think. They’re not built like a tank, but they’re not going to get destroyed with normal daily wear, either.
 
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What is one option.

Quick question, for those using the SS version as fitness trackers, is the weight noticeable compared to the aluminium version?
It’s lighter than a Garmin Fenix for sure. I’ve run abc biked in both. The SS is definitely nkt too heavy. FWIW, I’m a meaty guy though.
 
I was mentoring the resale value not the new value. The resale seems to be no more than $10 or $20 after a year or so.
The person you replied to was referring to the purchase price difference. I was clarifying that part.

Yes the resale difference is minimal, $10-20 or so with wholesalers.
 
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I live in New Zealand and we can only get the aluminium Apple watches here. We can’t get SS, titanium or ceramic here.
I have a series 2 aluminium which has a few scratches on the screen and also on the case, but then it is 3 years old now.
I guess I’ll be buying another aluminium series 5 when I upgrade.
 
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