Apple Watch Sport's Display With Ion-X Glass Outperforms Sapphire Models in Bright Lighting

[FedUpFanBoy]

Ion-x glass is the same type of glass used on most quality smartphones. Never had a scratch on a glass phone.
Haven't scratched my watch either, even though it has bumped around on some surfaces. What are you people doing to your watches?

I'd add that a scratch can be buffed out or otherwise mitigated. A shattered screen is much harder to live with and sapphire is more likely to shatter.

 

[ShadovvMoon]

I'd add that a scratch can be buffed out or otherwise mitigated

My watch is scratched like crazy but you have given me hope

 

[dandrewk]

I'd add that a scratch can be buffed out or otherwise mitigated. A shattered screen is much harder to live with and sapphire is more likely to shatter.

How does one do that? Very, VERY light scratches that impact the coating can be alleviated. But most scratches are in the glass, and I've yet to read -anything- that can fix that, on the Apple Watch or any watch.

And please let's dispense with the Sapphire can be more easily shattered. The type of impact that would shatter a Sapphire crystal is virtually the same as one that shatters Ion glass.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Further affirming that the Apple Watch Sport is the only one really worth paying for.

 

[macduke]

I'll take a watch face that is nearly impossible to scratch over one that has less reflectivity. I've been wearing mine doing construction in my yard using a transparent rubber case and black sport band. When I come inside I pop off the case and put on my Milanese Loop. Screen doesn't get scratched by anything. I just rinse it off when I come inside and it's completely fine. The timing of this post is funny for me because I was just thinking to myself this weekend "I don't get all the fuss with OLED, this screen is still hard to read outside!" So this partially explains that. However so far I'm really glad I went with the SS model. It's so much lighter than my old SS mechanical watch. I get very faint scratches on the SS casing but I only notice them if I look really close and move my wrist around under direct light. I've got some Cape Cod polishing cloths that I'll use eventually but for now it's not bad at all and I'm fairly picky.

 

[ZipZap]

Washed out like what? I've read the report, and nowhere does it say anything was "washed out".

On all those Sapphire crystal watches, did you happen to compare them with the same model that had ion glass? Did you do it in -DIRECT SUNLIGHT-?

Pictures at beginning on thread are washed out. I use sapphire crystal watches all the time. Never had any issues seeing the face even in direct sunlight. If there is an issue with Apple watch its 100% the apple watch.

 

[Jax44]

That surprises me. Even on my Apple Watch Sport I can just barely make out anything on the screen when it's in bright sunlight.

Is the brightness turned up?

 

[doelcm82]

I take issue with the headline. In terms of reflecting ambient light, the sapphire crystal clearly outperforms the ion glass crystal.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

This was the reason I got the sports version (and also that it's cheaper, and it's more disposable). Glad I made the right choice.

 

[Rogifan]

This difference is of no practical significance. I've had mild difficulty seeing the screen in bright sunlight once or twice, and it would have hardly made a difference with the Sport model.

This is a slow news day story. Tomorrow's front page will be 100% Apple Music.

 

[dandrewk]

Pictures at beginning on thread are washed out. I use sapphire crystal watches all the time. Never had any issues seeing the face even in direct sunlight. If there is an issue with Apple watch its 100% the apple watch.

Your "experience" with Sapphire crystal watches does not match with any reports/reviews I have ever read. If there is an issue with the Apple watch it's 100% due to using Sapphire crystals. It's absurd to assume otherwise.

Just curious - do you actually own an AW with Sapphire glass?

 

[MisterRyan07]

My Sport's screen has a tiny scratch on it though any idea how one would be able to fix this?

Which is why I opted for the SS model. It's bad enough I try not to put my iPhone near coins or keys in my pocket, my watch would be nearly impossible. I've banged my watched while at work, so the sapphire has saved me tons. It may ruin the visibility in direct sunlight, which I haven't noticed FYI, but at least I don't have to be anal with walking near walls, or reaching into drawers.

 

[Tech198]

I guess users would choose a watch based of how much, or little, it reflects.

But we all go outside too, so it doesn't really matter in the end.

 

[henzpwnapple]

It feels like comparing leather shoes with sports shoes.

 

[sully54]

seems to me the simple solution would be to apply the same anti-reflexive coating currently used for the retina macbook pros. i'm willing to bet apple watch 2 will have this.

 

[Brian Y]

I don't understand the point of sapphire on the watch. 99% of scratches people pick up will be in the oleophobic coating - and sapphire aint gonna stop those.

It feels like comparing leather shoes with sports shoes.

Not really.

seems to me the simple solution would be to apply the same anti-reflexive coating currently used for the retina macbook pros. i'm willing to bet apple watch 2 will have this.

But if you add another coating, the point of sapphire diminishes further.

 

[Wobblier]

Did they check wether the sapphire screen was coated on the outside?

Luxury watches carrying sapphire usually only have bottom side of the glass coated, for obvious reasons as the coating could scratch. Which makes sapphires anti-glare half as efficient.

No big deal. Do take sapphire over iongorilla 3X plus on a watch though, as watches are far more likely to get scratched then phones.

 

[dannynjoni]

Not entirely surprising. The Sport model is the entry level device (largest percentage of units solid), but moreover, the one that would see heavier use outdoors due to its intended use cases (exercise). In other words, screwing up the "lowest end model" would probably have the largest impact on profits -- anything other than excellent performance per dollar was simply not an option.

I went with the Sport to minimize my initial outlay (I expect I'll bite for next year's hardware). The fluoroelastomer bands have been super comfortable. Visibility even at the lowest brightness has been impeccable (despite lots of outdoor exercise). It also weighs substantially less (case is 30g instead of 50g). I like the idea of a Stainless Steel watch with a sapphire face, but not having worn a watch for nearly 20 years, the Sport has proven excellent. I may opt for a regular stainless steel watch in the future, when I've acclimated to wearing something on my wrist.

It's also satisfying my main use case: 8 pounds already lost, with 15 to go (3 lbs under my medically ideal weight).

These are my exact thoughts!

 

[Z400Racer37]

That's hardly a workaround when you're outdoors. You don't have to point it directly at the sun to not be able to read it properly...


For what it's worth, I can hardly read my Sport screen in bright outdoor light. I can just make out the time but not the weather or calendar complications. I still have to cover it with my hand to read it, so I doubt in day-to-day life it makes much difference whether you have the Sapphire display or not.

Yeah... I literally have had zero problems, and I'm outside all the time with it/jogging etc. And I have the sapphire one.. These tests are a little ridiculous

 

[redman042]

SS owner here, switched from the Sport after owning it for a week. Don't regret my decision one bit. I knew going in that the sapphire was more reflective. Didn't care. This is a watch not a smartphone, and I won't be reading web pages or books on it. I have never been unable to read a text or see the time because of reflections. And I like the shinier look of the sapphire, along with of course the durability.

I don't think reflectivity should be a major consideration for which watch you buy. Choose the body appearance you like and the price you can afford. Think about band options. And durability. And then make your choice and don't look back.

I do care a lot about how reflective my phone is, but not my watch.

 

[zmunkz]

This doesn't seem like a real issue to me. The different is very slight.

 

[sdf]

I'm waiting for...
Ion-X glass causes more battery loss!

That's really a given if it's harder to read. Assuming everything else is the same, it's more likely you'll have to look twice.

(But, of course, there's probably a number of other factors here.)

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

That's really a given if it's harder to read. Assuming everything else is the same, it's more likely you'll have to look twice.

(But, of course, there's probably a number of other factors here.)

I was just having fun with the picture, with the Ion-X glass watch having 99% battery and the Sapphire one at 100%, but you may have a point on this!