Having Doubts About Sport Model

[sjinsjca]

Everybody keeps saying that they didn't want to spend so much on a first-gen product

"Everybody" forgets what a robust trade-in market exists for iDevices, and that there's every reason to expect the same for the Watch.

I sold my iPhone 4 for $35 less than the subsidized price I'd paid for it at the Apple Store... three years earlier.

It still worked fine, too, despite being "obsolete"-- a point I hasten to make since so many folks seem to be of the impression that the Watch must be discarded as useless the moment a Gen 2 model is announced.

 

[DavidLynch]

"Everybody" forgets what a robust trade-in market exists for iDevices, and that there's every reason to expect the same for the Watch.

I sold my iPhone 4 for $35 less than the subsidized price I'd paid for it at the Apple Store... three years earlier.

It still worked fine, too, despite being "obsolete"-- a point I hasten to make since so many folks seem to be of the impression that the Watch must be discarded as useless the moment a Gen 2 model is announced.

This is true, but iPhones are in a different league all together due to people trying to get off contract devices. You can easily sell an iPhone for more than you paid at a subsidized cost even after a couple years. Comparing this to the iPad resell market though and this of course isn't the case. I think the watches are going to be on the lower end of the spectrum, but we can only speculate.

 

[mightyjabba]

Yes, it's difficult to tell what the resale market will be like. I wouldn't count on it being anywhere near as good as for iPhones. Even the obsolete phones tend to stay in demand because you can't just buy a new iPhone without either signing a new contract or paying full unsubsidized retail. That won't be the case with the watch, obviously. Still, I agree that a lot of people talk like you just have to throw the old one in the garbage after a year or two.

 

[baller1308]

Still waiting on my AWS in silver. Ordered a screen protector just to try it out and see what happens. I would hope that I would not need one, similar to how I no longer have a screen protector or case on my phones now, but only time will tell.

 

[DavidLynch]

Still waiting on my AWS in silver. Ordered a screen protector just to try it out and see what happens. I would hope that I would not need one, similar to how I no longer have a screen protector or case on my phones now, but only time will tell.

I don't have a screen protector on my phone or sport watch and dont have a scratch on either. I may some day, but that's how it goes.

I would've preferred sapphire, but not at the expense of having to choose SS over aluminum. I don't like the shiny look. Hopefully with gen 2 they'll all have sapphire.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

My SS hasn't arrived yet but my try on appointment made it a no brainier. SS all the way. It's heavier and felt sturdier and looked very classy. I really like the sport and think it's great value for money but it looked cheap in comparison to the SS.
People keep saying that they will wait for the second gen before upgrading to an SS but there is no word or guarantee that there will be a new watch next year. Apple may have a 2 or 3 year cycle for watches. No one knows and I have doubts about the durability of the sport to last that long

 

[redman042]

Have you been to a store to try the thing on? I said this in another thread, but Apple watch needs to be tried on like you would if you were buying a watch from a jeweler. What is more important than the scratching issue is how it looks/feels when you're wearing it.

Agreed, and I have. I liked both the SG aluminum and the SS. The SS I liked more but the dark matte look of the SG was nice too. In the end I made a cost-based decision knowing I'd be happy with both, but as time goes on I think the SS may be worth the added cost to me.

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"Easily scratched" is not quite correct.

The Ion-X glass ranks between 7 and 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness. By comparison, the mineral glass used on most Casio sports watches ranks somewhere around 6.

I would agree, but there are a bunch of people posting here saying "had my watch for three days, already bad scratches on it and I don't even remember bumping it into anything".

I'm not sure what to think. Are these people all blowing it out of proportion so they can make a plea to Apple to swap the watch for a new one as a warranty replacement? Do they have poor memories? Is there a batch of Sports with bad glass with lower-than-specified scratch resistance? Or is the glass more easily scratched in real-world conditions than the scientific tests imply?

That's why I was hoping many would post here saying they have a Sport with no scratches at all. A few have.

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Had my sport since launch and haven't had a single blemish on case or screen. It is about as easy to scratch as a phone screen, which isn't that easy. Plus the watch won't be in your pocket with keys, etc.

If my screen does scratch, I will just buy a sapphire replacement screen from ifixit when they become available.

Good to hear. I hope to hear more people like you report this. I'm looking into the screen protectors - not something I really wanted on a watch though. I'm afraid it will look tacky. As for replacing the screen - isn't the OLED bonded to the glass, which means replacing both?

 

[ldpm14]

As a SS Apple Watch owner of 5 days I can confirm no scratches on my case and I'm not babying my watch. Also, although the Sports glass screen may be better on paper than the SS sapphire screen, in real life it's not made any difference whatsoever. The SS screen is superb, and less likely to scratch.

Let's just wait a few months and see how it is.

 

[leenak]

So here's a question: Who here has been using the aluminum models for a few days or more, did not baby it, maybe bumped it a few times, and sees no scratches? Are these scratches more isolated incidents than they appear?

I haven't been babying it, I've bumped it a few times, no scratches.

 

[iggypod]

I haven't been babying it, I've bumped it a few times, no scratches.

Same here. I've had it since launch day and mine is also blemish free. I wear it all day long. I even accidentally dropped it face down on our granite countertops the second day I had it (only about a 4 inch drop) while trying to put it on - no shattering / no damage.

That drop did, however, convince me to buy Applecare since I'm not so sure I'll be that lucky next time.

 

[MrGimper]

The Sport is "better" only in terms of reflectivity. The sapphire crystal is better otherwise. As for ion-X glass, it's the same coating that's on Samsung, Moto, and LG watches. No one complains that those watches scratch too easily.

My question is, in real world use does this actually make a difference? I've not a single complaint about my SS screen.

I don't look at it and think "blimey, that's really too reflective"

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Let's just wait a few months and see how it is.

Lets... however the odds of the screen being scratch-free and the case not having chunks out of it and dents, are much higher than the Sport.

 

[mightyjabba]

My question is, in real world use does this actually make a difference? I've not a single complaint about my SS screen.

I don't look at it and think "blimey, that's really too reflective"

It doesn't as far as I'm concerned. It's just another talking point for people to trying to justify their choice of the sport. (Not that I'm saying the sport is bad, but honestly, nobody should be basing their choice on small differences in reflectivity.)

 

[SomeGuy2112]

SG Sport here, no blemishes "yet" since launch day.

Can't say I've babied it either. Wore it all day yesterday doing some deck work, certain I bumped it more than once, and no worse for the wear so far.

If sapphire was an option on the Space Grey watch, I'd have gone for that, but I wanted the light weight of the sport and love the grey anodizing. For "me" its the perfect compromise... Polished enough for work, casual enough for the rest of the time.

At the end of the day, when it gets scratched, so be it. I've never used cases for my phones, and they show use from being in pocket so regularly, but it is what it is.

So far, I'm impressed.

 

[st0k3d]

$200 is 54 cents per day
I rather spend 54 cents per day and have a much nicer watch which I'll be wearing every single day for at least a year

WOW I didn't realize that. Heck its only $ .02 an hour! How can I not afford an extra $ .02 every hour?!?! Salesman love people like you.

 

[KPOM]

My question is, in real world use does this actually make a difference? I've not a single complaint about my SS screen.

I don't look at it and think "blimey, that's really too reflective"

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Lets... however the odds of the screen being scratch-free and the case not having chunks out of it and dents, are much higher than the Sport.

I have not had an issue with the screen outdoors.

 

[redman042]

Good info in these responses - thank you all. So, ion-x glass susceptibility to scratches may not be as bad as some of the other threads suggest. Obviously we're very early on here and only time will tell, but this is encouraging. I'm definitely interested in more posts with experiences either way. It's hard to get perspective on the magnitude of an issue based on a few posts - the people with the most problems are the loudest, and those with no problems aren't even bothering to post. They are busy enjoying their watches

Also, seems like it's pretty safe to discount the reflectivity issue. There may be a minor difference but not enough to matter materially.

When my SG Sport does arrive, I'm going to open the box and stare at it and will have to make a tough decision one way or the other: keep it or sell it and wait a couple more months for the SS leather loop.

 

[GrimmsGirl]

As a SS Apple Watch owner of 5 days I can confirm no scratches on my case and I'm not babying my watch. Also, although the Sports glass screen may be better on paper than the SS sapphire screen, in real life it's not made any difference whatsoever. The SS screen is superb, and less likely to scratch.

I've had my ss watch for 10 days, and I haven't babied it either. I whacked it a couple of times on the bottom of my desk, my dog has clawed at it a few times trying to get my attention, I cleaned my car top to bottom over the weekend and was hitting it on all sorts of things inside the car. Not a scratch on the screen, and if there are any scratches on the case I don't see any, but then again I haven't taken a magnifying glass to it either.

Of course, if I do get scratches on the case I don't think they're going to bother me. I have a ss link bracelet watch that cost a lot more than my Apple Watch. It's got scuffs all over the case and the band. I know I could get them polished out, but why bother? I honestly love that look of that watch, scuffs and all. Now, if I got a scratch on the sapphire crystal? That would drive me nuts!

 

[SarZ]

WOW I didn't realize that. Heck its only $ .02 an hour! How can I not afford an extra $ .02 every hour?!?! Salesman love people like you.

I am a salesman

 

[texasstar1981]

"Everybody" forgets what a robust trade-in market exists for iDevices, and that there's every reason to expect the same for the Watch.

It still worked fine, too, despite being "obsolete"-- a point I hasten to make since so many folks seem to be of the impression that the Watch must be discarded as useless the moment a Gen 2 model is announced.

Bingo. especially when Gen 2 comes out and it just offers minor improvements - the value of a used SS with zero scratches in the sapphire and no dings should be more than good. Now compare that to a dinged up sport watch with a scratch on the screen

I have yet to see an Apple product who doesn't hold their value pretty well... have to be smart about it... keep the original box, documentation, Apple care receipt etc...

 

[Tyler23]

I preordered a SG Sport on April 10, confirmation at xx:12. All this time I've been watching Apple's shipping progress as I get closer to finally seeing it ship (maybe 1-2 weeks from now). But in the meantime I've read a number of accounts of easily scratched Ion-X glass. I already know that I'm the type to whack my arm into things from time to time, so this isn't sounding good.

Given this, I finally caved tonight and placed a second order for a SS Black Leather Loop. Shipping estimate is July. It's a model I was eyeballing anyway. I wasn't originally feeling like spending that much, but I won't be happy if my watch looks beat up shortly after I get it. I know the SS with the sapphire will last.

For now I will keep both orders in place while I ponder further. I could always get the SGS, sell it, and wait for the SS. Though it will be very hard to part with the SGS and then wait two more months. Or I could get the SGS and decide to cancel the other.

So here's a question: Who here has been using the aluminum models for a few days or more, did not baby it, maybe bumped it a few times, and sees no scratches? Are these scratches more isolated incidents than they appear?

I was in the same boat. I pre-ordered the 42mm Apple Watch Sport just after 3:10AM ET on April 10th. To my surprise, it arrived on launch day, 4/24. Now let me be clear, I love the device. The Apple Watch fits perfectly into my life and now that I have it I don't want to give it up.

However, I have been deathly afraid wearing it of rubbing it against something and scratching it. I do not have much confidence in the ion-x screen especially given the reports of scratching. Also, although it looks good, I work in a business environment and over time I've come to realize how much more I like the look of the SS watch.

For those reasons, I will be getting rid of the Sport (either selling or returning), and I placed a preorder for a SS Apple Watch on 4/30 with a shipping window of "June."

I still have the Sport (trying to get rid of it by Friday), and I cannot wait for the SS AW to arrive. I just hope it's before the end of June!

 

[SarZ]

I was in the same boat. I pre-ordered the 42mm Apple Watch Sport just after 3:10AM ET on April 10th. To my surprise, it arrived on launch day, 4/24. Now let me be clear, I love the device. The Apple Watch fits perfectly into my life and now that I have it I don't want to give it up.

However, I have been deathly afraid wearing it of rubbing it against something and scratching it. I do not have much confidence in the ion-x screen especially given the reports of scratching. Also, although it looks good, I work in a business environment and over time I've come to realize how much more I like the look of the SS watch.

For those reasons, I will be getting rid of the Sport (either selling or returning), and I placed a preorder for a SS Apple Watch on 4/30 with a shipping window of "June."

I still have the Sport (trying to get rid of it by Friday), and I cannot wait for the SS AW to arrive. I just hope it's before the end of June!

Good choice
If you work in a business environment then SS is the way to go

 

[flur]

Let's just wait a few months and see how it is.

Why? There are already plenty of SS watches in the world. We already know how it goes. The case gets some scratches, they are easily buffed out. no biggie.

This does not work for screens.

 

[redman042]

Good choice
If you work in a business environment then SS is the way to go

I do also. Not a suit and tie business environment, but still.

That said, I think the SG Sport would fit in fine too. It's just a matter of what you feel best wearing.

 

[flur]

I've had my ss watch for 10 days, and I haven't babied it either. I whacked it a couple of times on the bottom of my desk, my dog has clawed at it a few times trying to get my attention, I cleaned my car top to bottom over the weekend and was hitting it on all sorts of things inside the car. Not a scratch on the screen, and if there are any scratches on the case I don't see any, but then again I haven't taken a magnifying glass to it either.

Of course, if I do get scratches on the case I don't think they're going to bother me. I have a ss link bracelet watch that cost a lot more than my Apple Watch. It's got scuffs all over the case and the band. I know I could get them polished out, but why bother? I honestly love that look of that watch, scuffs and all. Now, if I got a scratch on the sapphire crystal? That would drive me nuts!

THIS. I've been wearing my SS for a week, have no scratches, and have bashed it on my desk, a couple of tables, the metal trim on my kitchen island, my husband's ring, etc.

Keep in mind that the screen takes up the entire topmost surface of the watch. It curves down into the body. There is no bezel to protect the screen, so when you hit the watch on something, you are almost always going to hit the screen.

 

[Mac 128]

The premium for SS and sapphire isn't worth it to me given the short lifespan of this watch, esp. being a gen 1. (Yes, I want to upgrade when the next version comes out). So I'd rather have the "cheapo" version and $200 in my pocket saved. I've been wearing watches for over 40 years. Can't remember scratching one -- even the crappy $30 Armitron I wore in 6th grade.

Well hopefully this works out for you. But recognize that the Watch is just as much a fashion item as it is a tech one. Those that say they won't invest in something they are going to wear possibly everyday for over a year because a better one is coming, isn't thinking like your typical watch buyer, who is thinking about wearing something something on their arm that presents a particular image of their personal style, and coordinates with their outfits for work and parties, etc. People who care about fashion are going to buy the watch that looks best on them regardless of whether they intend to upgrade it next year or not. If a person upgrades their iPhone every year to get the latest technology, they aren't thinking about the cost of doing that versus subsidizing it via a two year contract. Likewise, the watch comes with certain fashion dictates that will more than justify the added expense even if they plan to upgrade the tech every year. They simply aren't going to walk around for a year wearing something that doesn't work for their fashion sense.

I've dated women who paid over $800 for a pair of shoes that they only wore for one season. THIS is the market Apple has entered -- how great is it that they can profit on seasonal upgrades of something out of concern for fashion!? The people who are buying cheap and holding out for upgraded tech are missing this important paradigm shift in Apple's philosophy, and are still viewing Apple as a tech company. Apple has irrevocably burst the bounds of those constraints and new rules apply. They are looking for new customers and those customers are looking at something equally as important, if not more so than tech -- they are buying a tech product for its fashion. And that's why Apple won't just offer one-size fits all designs, as the fickle fashion world that allows Apple to adorn Paul Lagerfeld with a $30,000 Edition today, will just as quickly turn its back on them tomorrow if they don't continue to innovate on the fashion end of this product as well as the tech.