Every Apple Watch band Apple released. Ever.

[mikedis]

cream & neon lime SLs yoinked for $20 each thanks to a lovely forum member

 

[kryptticAZ]

How close are Kumquat and Papaya sport bands to each other? I own Kumquat already and have a boxed Papaya in front of me. I'm trying to decide if I should open it.

 

[MacDevil7334]

I’m telling you. The two sport bands I’ve bought of this release cycle feel totally different. More plasticy and more heavy duty. Hard to describe. Where my surf blue feels more rubbery. All over the board with these bands.

Absolutely agree with this. I thought it was just the Plum band at first. But I recently received a Cyprus Green and a Deep Navy (both of which are too dark for my SBSS and will be going back) and they also feel really rubbery. I’m not sure why but there has definitely been a change in the formula Apple is using for this latest set of sport bands. The difference between the “golden age” bands of the S4/5 era and today’s bands is huge.

 

[mikedis]

Absolutely agree with this. I thought it was just the Plum band at first. But I recently received a Cyprus Green and a Deep Navy (both of which are too dark for my SBSS and will be going back) and they also feel really rubbery. I’m not sure why but there has definitely been a change in the formula Apple is using for this latest set of sport bands. The difference between the “golden age” bands of the S4/5 era and today’s bands is huge.

We’ll find out if it’s truly a change in formula or just a weird thing for Win2020 in a few months. I hope it’s just a phase.

 

[MacDevil7334]

We’ll find out if it’s truly a change in formula or just a weird thing for Win2020 in a few months. I hope it’s just a phase.

I hope so too. The difference between these fall and winter bands and the older ones from the S4/5 days is night and day. I don’t have an older S0-S2 band around anymore to compare to. But, I don’t remember even my 2016 midnight blue feeling as bad out of the box as these do. Someone else in this thread described Plum as feeling like it was “pre-shined” out of the box. I think that pretty much captures it.

 

[mikedis]

I hope so too. The difference between these fall and winter bands and the older ones from the S4/5 days is night and day. I don’t have an older S0-S2 band around anymore to compare to. But, I don’t remember even my 2016 midnight blue feeling as bad out of the box as these do. Someone else in this thread described Plum as feeling like it was “pre-shined” out of the box. I think that pretty much captures it.

Yeah plum is going to shine like crazy. I’ll try to wear it as little as possible.

I have all my unused M/L halves so I’ll go feel them a bit in a few. But I think I know what you mean. I remember plum being grippier.

 

[FenC]

I’m telling you. The two sport bands I’ve bought of this release cycle feel totally different. More plasticy and more heavy duty. Hard to describe. Where my surf blue feels more rubbery. All over the board with these bands.

Absolutely agree with this. I thought it was just the Plum band at first. But I recently received a Cyprus Green and a Deep Navy (both of which are too dark for my SBSS and will be going back) and they also feel really rubbery. I’m not sure why but there has definitely been a change in the formula Apple is using for this latest set of sport bands. The difference between the “golden age” bands of the S4/5 era and today’s bands is huge.

I think the darker ones do tend to be a bit harder feeling sometimes - or at least the darker colours. Obsidian / Black is quite hard for example, but the neutrals like Gray and Black are softer. Deep Navy takes the cake for being horrible feeling even compare with Cyprus Green and Plum.


Anyway, you’ve all seen plenty of ceramic pics recently, but I kinda feel that my mention of wanting one and @the future (and thanks again - I’ve been as excited watching its tracking as I was with my S0) linking a marketplace listing to what is now mine sort of kicked off that recent interest, so here is the new baby in all it’s 100% perfect beauty:

There’s a weird stain looking artifact on the band in this lightly edited 12 Pro Max ProRAW image. It isn’t there in real life.

 

[mikedis]

I think the darker ones do tend to be a bit harder feeling sometimes - or at least the darker colours. Obsidian / Black is quite hard for example, but the neutrals like Gray and Black are softer. Deep Navy takes the cake for being horrible feeling even compare with Cyprus Green and Plum.


Anyway, you’ve all seen plenty of ceramic pics recently, but I kinda feel that my mention of wanting one and @the future (and thanks again - I’ve been as excited watching its tracking as I was with my S0) linking a marketplace listing to what is now mine sort of kicked off that recent interest, so here is the new baby in all it’s 100% perfect beauty:

View attachment 1716745
There’s a weird stain looking artifact on the band in this lightly edited 12 Pro Max ProRAW image. It isn’t there in real life.

Perfection 😭

 

[Fhotofaerie]

Dont mind the artificial lighting. Just wanted to jump in here 😀 Royal Pulse/Black is to die for on ceramic!!

 

[myrtlebee]

I just got a Deep Navy this week and it feels like it is missing the coating that's present on Sport Bands when they are new that gives them their extra soft feeling. It's tackier, more plasticky, and when I bend my hand up and down on my wrist it almost catches on itself and gives a rather unpleasant feeling. Hard to describe. I had this happen before in the past when I had a "Series 0" watch and my black Sport Band's coating was coming off. I removed the rest of the coating and it felt and behaved like this Deep Navy band. If Plum is the same then I guess it's off my wish list.

My Grapefruit and Surf Blue bands feel amazing in comparison to the Deep Navy. I also have a white Sport Band with an ever so slight grainy texture to the coating. And on top of it, some of my Sport Bands feel more rubbery than others, some feel heftier, some are definitely thinner and some definitely thicker. It seems there's a wide variance in quality. I only have a small collection of 10 bands so far, but Grapefruit by far feels the best even if it's so thick it barely slides in the track to attach to my watch.

 

[athousandbands]

I just got a Deep Navy this week and it feels like it is missing the coating that's present on Sport Bands when they are new that gives them their extra soft feeling. It's tackier, more plasticky, and when I bend my hand up and down on my wrist it almost catches on itself and gives a rather unpleasant feeling. Hard to describe. I had this happen before in the past when I had a "Series 0" watch and my black Sport Band's coating was coming off. I removed the rest of the coating and it felt and behaved like this Deep Navy band. If Plum is the same then I guess it's off my wish list.

My Grapefruit and Surf Blue bands feel amazing in comparison to the Deep Navy. I also have a white Sport Band with an ever so slight grainy texture to the coating. And on top of it, some of my Sport Bands feel more rubbery than others, some feel heftier, some are definitely thinner and some definitely thicker. It seems there's a wide variance in quality. I only have a small collection of 10 bands so far, but Grapefruit by far feels the best even if it's so thick it barely slides in the track to attach to my watch.

What you’re experiencing is mostly just the range of feel between all Sport Band SKUs. Supposedly the ingredients of each band change based on what color they’re making. Which explains how some are so phosphorescent under a black light.

Bands of certain colors (dark 38/42mm era sport bands especially Nike for instance) are just known for being hard and shiny.

That’s why I’m potentially all bought in on solo loops. For better or worse there’s a uniformity. Every band is soft as hell. Even deep Navy which clearly has issues still feels great when it’s shiny

 

[the future]

How close are Kumquat and Papaya sport bands to each other? I own Kumquat already and have a boxed Papaya in front of me. I'm trying to decide if I should open it.

I wouldn't open the box. They are very close and I like Kumquat better. Hence I'll sell my Papaya (which is really quite nice if one doesn't have Kumquat) soon.

Anyway, you’ve all seen plenty of ceramic pics recently, but I kinda feel that my mention of wanting one and @the future (and thanks again - I’ve been as excited watching its tracking as I was with my S0) linking a marketplace listing to what is now mine sort of kicked off that recent interest, so here is the new baby in all it’s 100% perfect beauty:

View attachment 1716745

Non-buyer's remorse kicking in in 3…2…1… All kidding aside, I'm happy that you're happy. It's a stunner! (Bonus points for using the California Ceramic watchface for your first picture; pure perfection.)

 

[Clarke_G]

I've had so many white Sport Bands bundled with past Apple Watches that somethimes I forget how sleek and fancy it might look, especially on SS. When it's new and pure white it's really a beauty, even if it's pretty common.
Too bad it becomes graysh-yellowish soon, as most white bands..

 

[stanza.richi]

Red product are something like my favourite option. So today RP sport band with Gold SS AW4.

 

[Clarke_G]

I just got a Deep Navy this week and it feels like it is missing the coating that's present on Sport Bands when they are new that gives them their extra soft feeling. It's tackier, more plasticky, and when I bend my hand up and down on my wrist it almost catches on itself and gives a rather unpleasant feeling. Hard to describe. I had this happen before in the past when I had a "Series 0" watch and my black Sport Band's coating was coming off. I removed the rest of the coating and it felt and behaved like this Deep Navy band. If Plum is the same then I guess it's off my wish list.

My Grapefruit and Surf Blue bands feel amazing in comparison to the Deep Navy. I also have a white Sport Band with an ever so slight grainy texture to the coating. And on top of it, some of my Sport Bands feel more rubbery than others, some feel heftier, some are definitely thinner and some definitely thicker. It seems there's a wide variance in quality. I only have a small collection of 10 bands so far, but Grapefruit by far feels the best even if it's so thick it barely slides in the track to attach to my watch.

Thank God you guys are adressing this!
I thought I was going crazy. I have a Product Red 2020 that has always felt thin and plasticky, same for the Surf SB.
My current White SB that came with the SS AW5 is so much thicker and eavier, overall with a nice coat and softer to the touch.
I recently purchaised a Spearmint Sport Band (2019) which feels just as thick and nice as the White SB.
I thought it's becose some of newer than others...but I swear it really feels like a different fabric.

 

[MacDevil7334]

I just got a Deep Navy this week and it feels like it is missing the coating that's present on Sport Bands when they are new that gives them their extra soft feeling. It's tackier, more plasticky, and when I bend my hand up and down on my wrist it almost catches on itself and gives a rather unpleasant feeling. Hard to describe. I had this happen before in the past when I had a "Series 0" watch and my black Sport Band's coating was coming off. I removed the rest of the coating and it felt and behaved like this Deep Navy band. If Plum is the same then I guess it's off my wish list.

My Grapefruit and Surf Blue bands feel amazing in comparison to the Deep Navy. I also have a white Sport Band with an ever so slight grainy texture to the coating. And on top of it, some of my Sport Bands feel more rubbery than others, some feel heftier, some are definitely thinner and some definitely thicker. It seems there's a wide variance in quality. I only have a small collection of 10 bands so far, but Grapefruit by far feels the best even if it's so thick it barely slides in the track to attach to my watch.

Plum, while definitely not as velvety soft as some of the older colors I have handled recently (Horizon, Pine, Alaskan), is not nearly as bad as the Deep Navy I received a few days ago. The Deep Navy band feels almost like a fake. The feel of the band reminds me of car tire rubber. The band also has a rubber smell out of the box, something I don’t remember ever noticing with previous sport bands. Plum isn’t as bad as all that and still worth picking up if you like the color IMHO.

I know there have always been variations in thickness and weight among the the different colors of the sport band line. But these Fall and Winter 2020 bands, at least the ones I have handled, feel like a new recipe entirely. Blue Horizon and Deep Navy are similar colors but they feel like completely different materials to the touch. One thing I wonder is if all the supply chain disruptions in 2020 forced Apple to switch to an inferior recipe with ingredients that were easier to source. If so, maybe these harder bands will be a temporary aberration.

 

[harrywatson]

Does the cyprus green band feel as bad? I want a dark green but also don't want to go on a hunt for a hard to find older one if there's one for sale from the store right now.

 

[techno-Zen]

Purple pulse is pretty much just Indigo. I haven’t returned a band in a while but it’s going back. I was hoping it had more color to it

 

[techno-Zen]

Does the cyprus green band feel as bad? I want a dark green but also don't want to go on a hunt for a hard to find older one if there's one for sale from the store right now.

It does as well. Something with this gen of bands I think. I honestly think I like it though

 

[ammorsy]

I think I can comfortably say that this is my first real yoink.
CYR 2019 SL + pink sand SB + fog SB + 2 fake bands for $38

 

[techno-Zen]

I am randomly on the hunt for an OG Black sport loop, with the multi RBG colored flecks. Such a cool band - hope I can find one in the $35 range

 

[MacDevil7334]

It does as well. Something with this gen of bands I think. I honestly think I like it though

I do wonder if these will wear better over time since they are already so hard and lack that velvety texture out of the box.

I am randomly on the hunt for an OG Black sport loop, with the multi RBG colored flecks. Such a cool band - hope I can find one in the $35 range

There are a few on Mercari right now.

Mercari: Your Marketplace | Mercari

Retail Price $50+ Apple MTLT2AM/A Highlights For All 38mm/40mm Apple Watch Versions Double-Layered Woven Nylon Inside Cushioning Wicks Away Moisture Hook-and-Loop Closure Fits Wrists 5.7 to 8.7" Around Features Personalize your 38mm/40mm Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, or Apple Watch Edition...

www.mercari.com

Apple Watch Band Sports Loop 44mm NEW on Mercari

Apple Watch Band Sports Loop 44mm In Black NEW

www.mercari.com

 

[techno-Zen]

I do wonder if these will wear better over time since they are already so hard and lack that velvety texture out of the box.


There are a few on Mercari right now.

Mercari: Your Marketplace | Mercari

Retail Price $50+ Apple MTLT2AM/A Highlights For All 38mm/40mm Apple Watch Versions Double-Layered Woven Nylon Inside Cushioning Wicks Away Moisture Hook-and-Loop Closure Fits Wrists 5.7 to 8.7" Around Features Personalize your 38mm/40mm Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, or Apple Watch Edition...

www.mercari.com

Apple Watch Band Sports Loop 44mm NEW on Mercari

Apple Watch Band Sports Loop 44mm In Black NEW

www.mercari.com

Just placed an order $35 NIB sealed. NOICE

and I agree about the wear, I think these may hold up with less "shine" we shall see. I don't have a dark blue currently so I may bite on a Deep navy as well.

 

[geekiemac]

Absolutely agree with this. I thought it was just the Plum band at first. But I recently received a Cyprus Green and a Deep Navy (both of which are too dark for my SBSS and will be going back) and they also feel really rubbery. I’m not sure why but there has definitely been a change in the formula Apple is using for this latest set of sport bands. The difference between the “golden age” bands of the S4/5 era and today’s bands is huge.

I recently bought a Cyprus Green and had that feeling too. The Plum feels "normal" but the CG was definitely more rubbery than usual. It also felt thicker. Like the very early bands.

edit: I just pulled Grapefruit to wear today for the daily show & tell. And I can most certainly say that the feeling is not the same. Grapefruit feels softer and more velvet-y. So I guess @FenC 's comment about darker bands being harder and shinier, definitely has something.

edit: so same impressions as already posted by @myrtlebee and others 😊

 

[geekiemac]

Anyway, you’ve all seen plenty of ceramic pics recently, but I kinda feel that my mention of wanting one and @the future (and thanks again - I’ve been as excited watching its tracking as I was with my S0) linking a marketplace listing to what is now mine sort of kicked off that recent interest, so here is the new baby in all it’s 100% perfect beauty:

View attachment 1716745
There’s a weird stain looking artifact on the band in this lightly edited 12 Pro Max ProRAW image. It isn’t there in real life.

Congratulations (I admit I am the tiniest bit jealous. But you certainly deserve to be happy about it.) Well done!

I've had so many white Sport Bands bundled with past Apple Watches that somethimes I forget how sleek and fancy it might look, especially on SS. When it's new and pure white it's really a beauty, even if it's pretty common.
Too bad it becomes graysh-yellowish soon, as most white bands..

View attachment 1716819

Looks very beautiful indeed! I must admit I didn't even bother unpacking my SS's white SB.