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Apple Watch Poll: Stainless vs Aluminium?

Apple Watch Poll: Stainless vs Aluminium?

  • Stainless?

  • Aluminium?

Results are only viewable after voting.
gshocked

gshocked

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 3, 2019
124
65
Australia
Hi all,

I’m ready to get a new Apple Watch. I started with the stainless steel silver OG then got the stainless Series 4 gold.
I was shattered when the battery of my OG swell up and pushed the screen out. So I’m worried that this will eventually happen to my S4.

So, I’m really not sure anymore if the stainless steel watches are worth the $1200 AUD price tag any more…

What do people think?
 
If you are going to take care of it and if it's not going to be exposed to being banged about, and you don't need cellular, aluminium.

If you think it's going to take some abuse and/or need cell, then I'd consider SS.

Also depends how long you want to keep it. If it's a year or 18 months, aluminium. If you plan on hanging onto it for longer then SS.

Re-sale is brutal on the SS models, aluminium holds up far better in that department.
 
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I always do silver SS. It really is so much more durable (polish out any micro scratches if you care) and feels like a higher end watch. The screen is almost un scratchable. The Aluminium screen scratches so much more easily. Good luck With your choice!
 
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When I bought my S7, I originally ordered aluminum, but I immediately returned it for the SS version. Best decision I ever made and I don't even use the cell option anymore. I ordered the Ultra version and I'm definitely going to miss the SS option. Hoping I like titanium. 🙏🙏
 
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drew0020 said:
I always do silver SS. It really is so much more durable (polish out any micro scratches if you care) and feels like a higher end watch. The screen is almost un scratchable. The Aluminium screen scratches so much more easily. Good luck With your choice!
Click to expand...
Whats the best way to polish out the scratches?
 
highdefjunkie said:
Whats the best way to polish out the scratches?
Click to expand...
Honestly, love the look of the micro scratches, but for big ones you can use a Cape Cod cloth. Back in the day (series 6 I think) I had a deeper scratch. I sanded it out and polished back to normal with the cape cod. I buy them from Amazon.
 
drew0020 said:
Honestly, love the look of the micro scratches, but for big ones you can use a Cape Cod cloth. Back in the day (series 6 I think) I had a deeper scratch. I sanded it out and polished back to normal with the cape cod. I buy them from Amazon.
Click to expand...
Great to know! Really appreciate it. Gonna give it a try. Wonder if they will work on titanium?
 
callumrd1 said:
I wish I could get an aluminum body watch with a sapphire face. I like the reduced weight of the aluminum but the cover glass is far more susceptible to scratches than the sapphire.
Click to expand...
Same, it's my only complaint about the aluminum. I love the lighter weight as haptic feedback works better and sleep tracking is more comfortable. The case is very resilient but the Ion-X display scratches so easily. Might try a screen protector with my new watch.
 
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my aluminum series 4 screen is soooooo scratched and it's newer than my SS series 4! not a single scratch on the screen of the SS
 
I’ve owned both in the past, but have usually gone for stainless. But I just didn’t feel like I could justify the cost this time around, especially as I don’t need cellular. I actually bought a midnight S7 after the S8 was announced and am really happy with it. I do feel I have to be a bit more careful with it than I would with a stainless, but that’s okay.
 
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QCassidy352 said:
I prefer the weight of the aluminum, but the screen does scratch more easily. So for me, it’s aluminum with AppleCare.
Click to expand...
That’s what I did this past time but from what I’ve read Apple won’t replace the screen under AppleCare unless functionality is diminished. The screen being scratched counts as cosmetic and isn’t covered.
 
james2538 said:
That’s what I did this past time but from what I’ve read Apple won’t replace the screen under AppleCare unless functionality is diminished. The screen being scratched counts as cosmetic and isn’t covered.
Click to expand...

I feel like at that point you may as well “accidentally” drop the watch and just get it replaced
 
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I have had stainless steel and aluminum and I usually go by color I like best. My black aluminum (I forget the technical term) apple watch 4 has been great. I can't see any scratches and I wore it for everything from yard work, teaching, hiking, etc. I also have a stainless steel 7 that I bought used-and I like it and it is also just fine and looks new. I really never found that aluminum was more easily scratched or anything. I use a screen protector on all the screens because I do whack the watch into things and I hate scratches on the screen more than anything
 
Not sure if the poll is “Do you have Stainless or aluminum”…..or “Do you prefer one vs the other”. In any event, I’ve had both and like both. I’ve had SS in S1, S2, S3, S5 and now S7. I’ve had aluminum in S6 and S7. They each have their pros/cons….from my perspective they are:

SS Pros:
- More premium look (ie more like a traditional watch)
- SS-Silver is very neutral - goes with just about any band (style and color)
- Display more scratch resistant
- Cellular comes with all models
- A jack of all trades in a sense….can wear with anything from workout clothes to suits.

SS Cons:
- Body easily scratched.
- Display shatters more easily than ion-x glass on aluminum models (from experience…shattered my SS S5 😊)
- Display more reflective than ion-x (ie harder to read and more washed out in bright light….than ion-x).
- Heavier
- $$$ and doesn’t hold resale value as well (my experience)

Aluminum Pros:
- Lighter
- More color options (typically)
- Ion-X Glass less reflective than sapphire (easier to read and more contrast and clarity in bright light).
- Cheaper than SS and holds resale value better (my experience)

Aluminum Cons:
- Less premium look (but definitely nice)
- colored watches can be limiting in terms of band color choice.
- ion-X display more prone to scratches.
- Not as versatile as SS (ie more formal dress might be a tough match).
- Cellular models add $100

Would be a nice option to have an aluminum watch with Sapphire display.
 
Last edited:
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DSTOFEL said:
SS Cons:
- $$$ and doesn’t hold resale value as well (my experience)

Aluminum Pros:
- Cheaper than SS and holds resale value better (my experience)
Click to expand...
Good list. On the point about secondary / resale value. I think for the first 5ish generations of this watch or so (through AW5), because the tech changed pretty rapidly year to year, the value of the watch was in the tech. And when it got 1 and especially 2 years old, I get why ppl won't pay higher $ for a used SS one. They could get a new current gen Aluminum watch for cheaper/similar price. Like imagine a SS AW3 vs new Aluminum AW5. First time there was an AOD etc. Most ppl (especially secondary market buyers who are more price conscious) would rather get the brand new AW5, so market value just couldn't be sustained much higher. Given that dynamic, I wasn't surprised that for a "luxury" model like the SS is priced at (almost double the Aluminum versions), resale value is really poor as a %, and quite a bit worse than the Aluminum.

That being said, even the Aluminum ones didn't hold great value. Especially if you compare to the iPhone, which is more mature between generations and really hold value will even after 1-2 years.

Lastly, I do think this trend with Apple Watches is starting to change, as the generations are now more stable and each year, upgrades are getting more incremental than substantial.
 
Hi all, Thanks all your responses. I’m still managing to function with my Apple Watch S4 - gold stainless steel and was thinking it was probably time to upgrade. I had a similar experience to another person, who purchased the Aluminium and promptly returned it for the Stainless. I honestly was hoping apple would do a redesign by now but I feel I could be in the “should I wait for the redesign camp.” However, the Ultra appeals, for something different, which isn’t much more than the stainless steel version.

My worry with the Aluminium is scratching the glass or denting the case…
 
gshocked said:
Hi all,

I’m ready to get a new Apple Watch. I started with the stainless steel silver OG then got the stainless Series 4 gold.
I was shattered when the battery of my OG swell up and pushed the screen out. So I’m worried that this will eventually happen to my S4.

So, I’m really not sure anymore if the stainless steel watches are worth the $1200 AUD price tag any more…

What do people think?
Click to expand...
I cast my vote for alum but that’s bc it’s right for me. I upgrade every year so that’s a lot of extra cash. In your case tho I think stainless is def worth it. That battery swell can happen to any AW
 
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