Anyone go from SS/Ti back to Aluminum?

[noobinator]

I see a lot of people saying how they can't go back to Aluminum after they've used SS or Ti. Just wondering if anyone has made the change and been happy with their decision. My last watch, a Ti, looked in pristine condition the day I sold it, and I definitely didn't baby it or anything. It was just very durable, screen and body.

I highly prefer the SS/Ti due to the looks and durability of sapphire etc but I'm considering scaling back to an aluminum since I only plan on keeping it a year. Just curious who's gone back to the cheaper model and their thoughts?

 

[Mr. Awesome]

While I haven’t had a SS or Titanium watch before, my Aluminum Apple Watch Sport (from 2015), looks almost good as new. Only a few minor scratches on the upper left of the case, and you can’t notice them unless you’re looking for them. So while the SS and Titanium are more durable, the aluminum watches definitely aren’t fragile by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Me. Can't justify the cost of SS if I upgrade every year or two. Was worried at first, but the aluminum watch is solid, and has worn well. No issues here. Plus, it's lighter on my wrist.

Had the original SS, and the S2 in Ss. Have have been team aluminum for S4 and S6 (blue).

 

[Monkswhiskers]

Me. Can't justify the cost of SS if I upgrade every year or two. Was worried at first, but the aluminum watch is solid, and has worn well. No issues here. Plus, it's lighter on my wrist.

Have had an alu 3, then SSSB 3, then SS 4, it's going to be difficult to go back to SS. Three advantages though, clearer screen in bright sunlight, stronger haptics and lighter for sports.

edit: four advantages...cheaper!

 

[Apple-of-my-eye]

I had a SS Series 0 (gave it to my 16 year old when I went to Samsung last year- and got a Galaxy Active 2 watch)

Now I’m back to IPhone- so needed a new watch. I went with Aluminum- I don’t need a SS model- perfectly happy with aluminum and saving the money!

 

[Mw0103]

I had a SS original (S0) from 2015-2018, then have gone for space gray aluminum for S3, S4, and now my ordered S6. I couldn’t justify the SS price anymore. I’ve had no wear issues with aluminum/ion glass.

 

[Shadowbech]

I have both Aluminum and the SB TI, but I prefer the Sapphire Glass over an Ion-X Glass. I'll be returning the aluminum model.

 

[Nimbus134]

Lot of benefits to aluminum and the Ion-X Glass. Less glare on the screen, brighter screen, lighter weight, lower price. I love the more expensive materials but these benefits can’t be denied. Imo it’s harder to go from aluminum to stainless.

 

[44267547]

OP is maybe facing buyers remorse given the high price tag of the TI and probably can’t justify the fact of keeping it. It’s expensive, but when you’re purchasing the more expensive Apple Watch models, that means you’re a very particular person about the materials and of course the sapphire glass, some see the value and others don’t, and some realize they would be just as content with the aluminum Model, given they all perform the same functionality.

That said, there’s no way I can go back to the ion-X glass. It has a known history of scratching too easily, and that alone is a ‘no -go’. And I refuse to use a screen protector as a secondary option. The sapphire glare isn’t that bad, but the Ion-X Glass does have excellent clarity.

 

[noobinator]

OP is likely facing buyers remorse given the high price tag of the TI and probably can’t justify the fact of keeping it.

That said, there’s no way I can go back to the ion-X glass. It has a known history of scratching too easily, and that alone is a ‘no -go’. And I refuse to use a screen protector as a secondary option. The sapphire glare isn’t that bad, but the Ion-X Glass does have excellent clarity.

I had a S5 Ti but am currently watchless. No remorse just considering my options.

 

[44267547]

I had a S5 Ti but am currently watchless. No remorse just considering my options.

Go for the aluminum. See if you’d be happy with it and give it a 14 day trial, if not, then you know you probably prefer the stainless or above models. My thoughts, you probably be happy with the aluminum given it’s a great watch with some obvious caveats, and they all perform the same functionality.

 

[sixtydashone]

I’ve got a series 3 Al but am probably going Ti this time around. I can say my Al watch has taken a fair amount of abuse over the years and there are only a couple very minor scratches on it. So the case itself has held up very well. The screen is a different story, though, it definitely has its fair share of scratches. I’ve been debating whether to stick with Al or go Ti because I do work out every day, but leaning toward Ti.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I was tempted for a few moments when I saw the new blue color. However, I can’t go back to the aluminum right now knowing it will get scratched too easily and it would frustrate me constantly. I would have to sell the watch and get the SS again. I decided to save myself the grief and not try and defy the obvious with me an the Ion-X Glass and aluminum casing. Others may be lucky to be scratch free etc. but in my world, that wouldn’t happen.

 

[AJ44]

I got a SBTi and Red Al this cycle. I am more careful with the Al and the situations I wear it. I won’t wear it lifting weights or doing outdoor chores.

 

[44267547]

Oh, one last thing I want to point out about the aluminum from the above member post. The 7000 series is actually extremely durable, I never had an issue with that, [it was only with the ion-X glass.] However, if you end up chipping the 7000 series aluminum, there’s very little you can do to actually stop the progression of the chipping once it’s damaged. It’s not necessarily easy to chip the aluminum, but Once the aluminum is damaged, it’s permanent and will cheapen the look of the watch.

As with the titanium, you can remove minor blemishes. And the great thing with metals like stainless and titanium, when they do scratch, and actually gives the watch ‘character’, Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, given the whole ‘weathered‘ look.

 

[tdbrown75]

Anyone go from SS/Ti back to Aluminum? No.

 

[xxBlack]

I went from SS S5 back to Aluminum S6.

 

[mypyh4ooo]

Anyone go from SS/Ti back to Aluminum? No.

Yes I have. Switched over to the Product Red. Have had SS and SBSS.

 

[QueenTyrone]

I was tempted for a few moments when I saw the new blue color. However, I can’t go back to the aluminum right now knowing it will get scratched too easily and it would frustrate me constantly. I would have to sell the watch and get the SS again. I decided to save myself the grief and not try and defy the obvious with me an the Ion-X Glass and aluminum casing. Others may be lucky to be scratch free etc. but in my world, that wouldn’t happen.

I tried it and I managed to chip some of the color off the aluminum in less than 2 weeks. I literally babied that thing. Went back to my SS and it’s been smooth ever since, and I’m incredibly hard on my SS, almost unnecessary hard

 

[Apple_Robert]

I tried it and I managed to chip some of the color off the aluminum in less than 2 weeks. I literally babied that thing. Went back to my SS and it’s been smooth ever since, and I’m incredibly hard on my SS, almost unnecessary hard

The horror. Doing such would make me unfit to live with. I am sure many here are saying I am unfit to live with here. Lol

Be that as it may peanut gallery, I have no doubt in my mind, that my aluminum watch fate would end up like yours; a lost woman all alone at night on a empty city street walking slowly to some unknown destination, with every corner street light seemingly highlighting the scratch on your watch that now matches the new scratch on your Apple Watch soul.

I can’t risk that dark, lonely street, Queen. SS for me.

 

[ZBoater]

I has a SS 4 and just upgraded to an aluminum 6. For me the SS wasn’t worth it, and Apple gave me $15 more in trade in than my wife for it being SS (hers was aluminum). I chose to save my cash this time, since I’ll be trading it for a version 8 in two years anyway.

 

[tripleacs]

I’m going to a Nike s6 which is Aluminium. To those going this way are you getting Apple Care as well?

 

[Nimbus134]

I’m going to a Nike s6 which is Aluminium. To those going this way are you getting Apple Care as well?

Prob a good idea. Not that much more and now you can get 2 replacements per year!

 

[dsc888]

I went from a S0 SS -> S4 SG Aluminum ->S4 SBSS -> S6 Graphite SS (Returned due to DLC coating scratches after just 3 days) so now -> S6 SG Nike Aluminum.

I have no regrets as my S4 Aluminum body is still scratch free while the ionX glass has a single fine scratch on it. My son now owns it. My S0 and S0 SS were all purchased at a huge discount when new models came out. I really wanted the Graphite SS but it scratched only after 3 days and it can't be polished out. So I went back to the aluminum but got the Nike Edition for the exclusive faces and band.

And as @Nimbus134 mentioned, the ionX display, while more scratch prone, has less reflection, more contrast and deeper color. This was tested a few years back by Displaymate. So my savings will go to the soon to be announced iPhone 12 Pro instead.

 

[dsc888]

Lot of benefits to aluminum and the Ion-X Glass. Less glare on the screen, brighter screen, lighter weight, lower price. I love the more expensive materials but these benefits can’t be denied. Imo it’s harder to go from aluminum to stainless. View attachment 960252

Great pic! Displaymate provided the hard data on this very topic a few years back and it still holds true. I know because my wife is now rocking my S4 SBSS with sapphire crystal and I have the S6 SG Nike Edition with ionX glass.