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AVBeatMan

macrumors 603
Original poster
Nov 10, 2010
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I can't remember if I've asked this before so forgive me if I have but, those who have chosen the SS series 4 over the aluminium, can I ask why?. I had a look in the Apple store and yes, I agree that the SS looks better, but only slightly and, to me not £300 more. Just wondering why you chose the SS?
 
I had a SS 0 and finally upgraded to a 4. The 0 took a beating and looked the same as the day I took it out of the box a few years ago. I figured why not spend a little extra and not have to worry about screen protectors, cases, what if I scratch it, etc.
 
When you say £300 more I’m assuming you’re comparing GPS only model to the GPS+LTE model?

I personally think the sapphire screen is enough for me to get the SS. I do also like the look and feel of it more which is a bonus.
 
When you say £300 more I’m assuming you’re comparing GPS only model to the GPS+LTE model?

I personally think the sapphire screen is enough for me to get the SS. I do also like the look and feel of it more which is a bonus.

Yeah, I’ve currently got the GPS model. The SS is only available with cellular.
 
I can't remember if I've asked this before so forgive me if I have but, those who have chosen the SS series 4 over the aluminium, can I ask why?. I had a look in the Apple store and yes, I agree that the SS looks better, but only slightly and, to me not £300 more. Just wondering why you chose the SS?

Aesthetics and the sapphire display. The sole two reasons why I purchased the stainless model. The weight, the scratch resistance from the Sapphire display, and I like the shine of the stainless over the aluminum.
 
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Can pick up a Series 3 42mm SS space black (watch only) for £280 - is that worth it?
 
Personally I don’t really care for the aluminium finish and I also prefer the sapphire glass. Whilst it’s not really important to have the cellular capability I rather have the stainless steel finish and the better glass.
 
Better glass, better casing (space black, DLC). I do not use the LTE and Verizon "does not have specials if you bought it from Apple" :rolleyes: so I do not intend to test it and offer them my money.

That is really the only reason now a days to go with stainless steel over aluminum. Since they matched the internal storage between the two, the casing and glass is what differentiates them. I do also think the stainless steel has a "classier" / business look to it primarily due to the shine.
 
I love the look of the silver SS, I was getting an LTE watch this generation anyway since I came from a series 2 SS. So the price difference wasn’t huge since I’ll be keeping my S4 for at least 2 years, perhaps even longer since I’m not sure what else they can add that would make me upgrade.
 
From where and is that brand new?

Nah it's been used but in mint condition. Having researched it a bit further, decided on SS due to durability and sapphire glass so paid a little extra but still a massive saving over a new S4 - just don't fancy dropping over £500 for a watch that will be useless in a few years.
[doublepost=1538934828][/doublepost]Question - at what point would you recommend having the battery replaced in these watches? Notice Apple charge approx. £80 here in the UK to have it replaced.
 
Sapphire screen. The glass screen on the aluminum watches might as well be made of butter.
 
I bought my S4 aluminium from Curry's here in the UK. Does anyone know how they are with returns? I don't think that they sell the SS so I'd have to buy elsewhere (should I decide to upgrade to the SS).
 
I bought my S4 aluminium from Curry's here in the UK. Does anyone know how they are with returns? I don't think that they sell the SS so I'd have to buy elsewhere (should I decide to upgrade to the SS).
Not as good as Apple.

For a change of mind, it has to be unopened.

They will however refund if it keeps turning off for example.
 
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Not as good as Apple.

For a change of mind, it has to be unopened.

They will however refund if it keeps turning off for example.
Actually opened is fine as long as it is not visibly used. If you ordered online you’ve got 14 days in which to return it - and you’re allowed to ‘look’ at the item exactly as you would in a shop - so that means for the watch trying it on would be fine.
 
I bought in store. I’ve emailed them. Not a big deal as I’m still not sure about spending another £300 for the stainless steal. If they won’t refund it makes the decision void. Happy either way.
 
I bought in store. I’ve emailed them. Not a big deal as I’m still not sure about spending another £300 for the stainless steal. If they won’t refund it makes the decision void. Happy either way.
Ah ok. If it was by any chance faulty within the first 30 days or so they’d likely refund there and then without question.
[doublepost=1538948706][/doublepost]
Ah ok. If it was by any chance faulty within the first 30 days or so they’d likely refund there and then without question.
If it’s any consolation I originally had a 44mm aluminium which I’ve now swapped out for a 44mm SS and don’t regret it one bit. Having always had aluminium SG the change is refreshing and the watch feels much more like a premium device. Dare I say it makes the aluminium feel very, very expensive for what it is if that makes sense?
 
Sapphire screen. The glass screen on the aluminum watches might as well be made of butter.

Based on two years experience this is just not true. I bang into things a lot and have had no scratches. Consider also that while the ion glass is more likely to scratch, the sapphire layer is more likely to shatter.

The SS definitely, to me, looks more like a traditional watch, but is also subject to scratching (which can be polished if not too deep, unlike aluminum).

If you plan to keep the watch only a year or two you will see much more depreciation on the SS. For example, the Apple trade-in on S3 watches was only $25 higher for the SS.

In the end, in my opinion, get what you want and can afford and don’t look back.
 
All this SS discussion made me curious and I returned my 15-day-old aluminum Sport today (thank you, Apple) because a local store had a SS/sport band (didn't want gold or SB, and would never wear the Milanese loop, no matter now nice).

First impressions:

It's probably a trick of the eye, but the bezel on the bright SS Watch almost disappears. The silver aluminum had really small bezels. The bright SS seems to have none, which is cool.

Whatever the actual numbers are, the SS feels much heavier than the aluminum (both on a Nike+ band). I don't think it's a big deal, but - to me - it is very noticeable.

I really love the look of the bright SS. It seemed an extravagant premium to pay for a tech device, but even if that's true (and I still think it is), it certainly is great looking.
 
All this SS discussion made me curious and I returned my 15-day-old aluminum Sport today (thank you, Apple) because a local store had a SS/sport band (didn't want gold or SB, and would never wear the Milanese loop, no matter now nice).

First impressions:

It's probably a trick of the eye, but the bezel on the bright SS Watch almost disappears. The silver aluminum had really small bezels. The bright SS seems to have none, which is cool.

Whatever the actual numbers are, the SS feels much heavier than the aluminum (both on a Nike+ band). I don't think it's a big deal, but - to me - it is very noticeable.

I really love the look of the bright SS. It seemed an extravagant premium to pay for a tech device, but even if that's true (and I still think it is), it certainly is great looking.
What is a ‘bright SS’? Is that the space black? Or stainless steel?
 
I can't remember if I've asked this before so forgive me if I have but, those who have chosen the SS series 4 over the aluminium, can I ask why?. I had a look in the Apple store and yes, I agree that the SS looks better, but only slightly and, to me not £300 more. Just wondering why you chose the SS?

My thoughts are based around wear and tear. I want to sleep with my watch on (health reasons) and don't want to risk any scratching on the face. I did have an aluminium Space Grey and got some tiny scratches on it. Maybe superficial but once you've seen them ...

So peace of mind suggests SS.

That said I think I had my S0 Aluminium and banged that around bit but never noticed screen imperfections....
 
Dare I say it makes the aluminium feel very, very expensive for what it is if that makes sense?
This exactly. Once you start creeping up on $600 USD for an aluminum watch, the extra $200 for the stainless and sapphire premium materials feels like a smarter decision. Especiallly if you plan to keep the watch for at least 2 years. My big issue now is SS vs SBSS. The space black looks bigger/bulkier - an optical illusion but one I can't unsee. The SS is sleeker looking, but I think I'd feel a little silly using it in the gym every day.
 
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