Apple watch 4 durability

[ercsliberty]

Apple watch 4, looking for opinions before i decide between the aluminum and stainless steel. Price is not a concern since they are the same price now on Amazon.

my concerns (i will have a plastic screen protector):
which glass will be better for falls and strong bumps, second concern, which metal will show less scratches over time.
Tia

 

[Apple_Robert]

The stainless steel is the better option.

 

[Pseudo-Fed]

Stainless steel. Sapphire screen. If you go space black SS you will likely never see any scratches on the case. It's bullet proof. If you go silver stainless, you will pick up a million micro scratches, but the watch actually looks good like this, and it can be polished to shiny again after a few mins with a cape cod cloth. Silver for compatibility with almost any bands, but black goes with many also. I have a S4 SS and a S5 SBSS. Love them both.

 

[staggerlee41]

I have owned two Aluminum versions of which the cases are in pristine condition. There aren't any issues with case durability. I've used a film screen protector on both and so the screens are in perfect condition, just as when I received them. I don't use a case for my watches, use them when doing yard work, anything outside, hiking, biking, fishing, tennis. Anything. If I were working on a car or doing mechanical type of work I'd probably consider a case or removing the watch.

There are aspects of both that I like. When I'm exercising, it's hard to beat the light weight of the Aluminum. As I've said, I don't have a single mark on the cases, the screens have been protected (go with ArmorSuit, nothing has been better).

SS is just over the top beautiful, doesn't matter which finish, they all look amazing. It's noticeably heavier but not uncomfortably so than the Aluminum. The screen on the SS is slightly more clear than the Aluminum but both are comparable. I also think it dresses up a little better but as I've said countless times, with Smart Watches, and Apple Watch specifically, the stigmas of traditional watches go out the window. Everyone knows you have an Apple watch and it doesn't matter what you wear it with, which band you wear it with.

Right now the SS is the better value in my opinion. 47% off the list price is an incredible deal.

Edit: One thing to add. With traditional watches, I know that Sapphire Crystals are more resistant to scratches but quartz crystals are more resistant to impact. In theory I think that's what Apple was trying to get at by going with the different crystals of the Aluminum vs SS models. This article seems to support that.

Ion X Glass vs Sapphire - Which one is the better display glass?

Which one is the better glass for displays in smartphones? We are testing it, ion x glass vs sapphire! Let's compare and find out.

www.glaz-screen-protector.com

There are many here who have had the stainless model for quite a long time and swear by them. Same can be said for Aluminum. I'm one who can attest to the durability of aluminum first hand having owned them the longest. I also feel like people dismiss the quality and durability of aluminum models more than is really the truth. Honestly, I think if you take care of your watch and use common sense, you'll be fine with either choice.

 

[44267547]

Apple watch 4, looking for opinions before i decide between the aluminum and stainless steel. Price is not a concern since they are the same price now on Amazon.

my concerns (i will have a plastic screen protector):
which glass will be better for falls and strong bumps, second concern, which metal will show less scratches over time.
Tia

Here’s what you need to know:

The ion-X glass on the aluminum display is pure garbage. If you opt for that specific model where you don’t have a preference with materials, then you better invest in a screen protector, because _it_will_scratch. If you’re one of those individuals like myself where you don’t want to see scratches on a 40/44 mm display, then opt for the Sapphire display/stainless casing. Not also do you receive more ‘premium’ materials, aesthetically it looks great and feels premium for what you’e buying into.

 

[jz0309]

Apple watch 4, looking for opinions before i decide between the aluminum and stainless steel. Price is not a concern since they are the same price now on Amazon.

my concerns (i will have a plastic screen protector):
which glass will be better for falls and strong bumps, second concern, which metal will show less scratches over time.
Tia

had both S0/3 aluminum and both had scratches on glass and body, my S4 for 14 months, nothing, and I bang everything all the time. the weight difference for me was negligible ... at the current price, SS no question

 

[macdragonfl]

Both watches are durable, iPhones and iPads for years have been made of aluminum. I've had an aluminum series 0. And a series 3 and now 4 both in polished stainless steel. I love the fact I can polish out the stainless when scratched. Aluminum you just have to live with it when damaged. The black stainless is super durable and if I were going with black I would go with that. I do prefer the crystal screen as my series 0 always had small scratches that bothered me. I just like the fine jewelry look of the stainless models, but I am in the fashion industry and wore fine watches for years.

 

[Farrellcollie]

I have both aluminum and ss - both are fine. My aluminum is not scratched up at all. I do use a rhinoshield screen protector on both. I have smashed way too many crystals on watches to not do it - but I can't tell they are on until they need to be changed and I feel better having them on than not. To me, they are watches and not fine precious jewelry. I like my ss but I would not have gotten it if I hadn't found it used for a super good price.

 

[44267547]

had both S0/3 aluminum and both had scratches on glass and body, my S4 for 14 months, nothing, and I bang everything all the time. the weight difference for me was negligible ... at the current price, SS no question

The weight difference Between the stainless and aluminum is actually substantial, you’re talking ~11ish grams between both casings. But, what is negligible, is you will adjust to the weight transfer from the aluminum to the stainless, which it’s not as polarizing over the course of time as it is at first when you upgrade to the 316L stainless from the 7000 Series aluminum.

 

[Otflyer]

SS