Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

How durable? Iphone X Space grey stainless steel band

P

pamploner

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 12, 2010
11
7
How durable is the "physical vapor deposition" layer on top of the stainless steel band? If it is nicked, it will show an ugly silver stainless steel base.

"For the space gray finish, we use a process called physical vapor deposition to precisely match the color of the stainless steel band to that of the glass."
-- from apple.com
 
Probably as durable as any other PVD finish (maybe like the space black steel AW, too).

If you're worried, buy a case.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KGB7
I've seen videos that say stainless steel always scratches, but this is an allow, so... I imagine it should be less scratch prone, especially given the price tag...
 
MCube74 said:
I feel the silver will better better if you are worried of scratches. Darker colors show scratches easier.
Click to expand...

And this Is exactly why I opted for silver. With the stainless going around the edges, I can only imagine them the reports of those discussing scratches with the space gray iPhones.
 
Is the band aluminum or stainless steel? I know the silver has a stainless steel band... does the black have space black steel?
 
Strelok said:
iPhone X should stainless steel all around, only the 8/8 Plus are aluminum.
Click to expand...
What do u mean should? Guess I wasn't paying much attention to the space gray X since I'm only interested in the silver X... I know the 8 series have aluminum. A great marketing decision idea to isolate the stainless steel bands only on the X if u ask me. It creates a more premium effect.
 
Appl3FTW said:
What do u mean should? Guess I wasn't paying much attention to the space gray X since I'm only interested in the silver X... I know the 8 series have aluminum. A great marketing decision idea to isolate the stainless steel bands only on the X if u ask me. It creates a more premium effect.
Click to expand...

I meant it should be stainless steel from what I remember. It was one of the things differentiating the X from the others.
 
Iphone X space gray has stainless steel band that is layered with some material using a process called "physical vapor deposition". It can be durable but if damaged, it will show the base silvery stainless steel.

For a thousand dollar phone, they could have used titanium which is naturally dark.

BTW, I totally hate cases.
 
^^^ Except that most flavors of titanium are pretty scratch-prone, and would need a coating to be tougher (see: watches from Citizen and Seiko, using "Diashield" and other techniques).
 
If it's anything like the stainless steel Apple Watch it will show scratches, i have one of the SS watches and it's got a few scratches. I'm wondering about the glass they have used on the back and front as well, they have said it's the most durable in an iPhone, I just wonder a few tings:

1. How durable? Does it not scratch?
2. Does it mean that a case isn't needed?
3. What type of glass is it? Gorilla Glass 4/5 or the same Sapphire that's on the Apple Watch screen
 
Anyone have some high quality pics of the two bands? Hard to find some of that angle on the phone.
 
(not-so-secretly-wondering why it seems like so many people here have never regularly used a steel object in their lives and therefore are surprised when steel scratches)
 
BarracksSi said:
^^^ Except that most flavors of titanium are pretty scratch-prone, and would need a coating to be tougher (see: watches from Citizen and Seiko, using "Diashield" and other techniques).
Click to expand...
I actually have a 12-year old Citizen titanium watch, heavily used. It has aged very well with scratches, patina and all. Love the finish.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back