How has your ion x glass held up over time?

[Gibson88]

So I’m going to take the plunge this year with the watch, I’ve been waiting 2 years for a faster SoC as I still felt the watch was a bit slow and I’m now hoping the S6 will feel fast enough.

My concern is if I should go SS for the sapphire display or get an aluminium model.

I’m more than happy with how the aluminium looks it’s just how durable the glass is. I’m pretty careful with my stuff and I’ll have AppleCare on it but I still worry as it’s something I’ll wear all the time.

Can anyone put my mind at rest on how their ion x displays have held up over several months/years?

 

[md2433]

Wife & I have had Every watch since S0! All have been AL with ion glass! We skipped over S5 and waiting S6! Never had one scratch Ever!

 

[Evil Dan]

Wife & I have had Every watch since S0! All have been AL with ion glass! We skipped over S5 and waiting S6! Never had one scratch Ever!

That's sadly not my experience. My Series 3 from 3 years ago was scratched on the screen pretty much within a week and just from general usage and just got worse from there. The space grey aluminium case has held pretty well though. Finally upgrading this year and getting space black titanium for the sapphire glass and better all round scratch resistance of the case too.

 

[bodonnell202]

I always just go aluminum. I used a Series 3 for about 2.5 years and it definitely had some light scratches and scuffs, but we're talking the kind of scratches you can only see when the light hits it right, nothing serious. It depends how serious you are about your watch being pristine vs being willing to accept minor imperfections.

 

[Gibson88]

That's sadly not my experience. My Series 3 from 3 years ago was scratched on the screen pretty much within a week and just from general usage and just got worse from there. The space grey aluminium case has held pretty well though. Finally upgrading this year and getting space black titanium for the sapphire glass and better all round scratch resistance of the case too.

How bad is your screen?

 

[Evil Dan]

The large scratch at 3 o'clock position happened in the first week. It is so deep that I thought it was a crack initially and sent it back to Apple who confirmed it was a deep scratch.

 

[G5isAlive]

I've had an aluminum ever since S0... had the SO, S2,S3, S5, and waiting on my S6. Never had a scratch that I would notice. I think I had one that if I squinted at it and held it to the light just right could barely make out what might have been a scratch. I resold every one, so it wasn't just my eyes. And I cringe at the amount of times my arms swings as I go through a door and catch my watch on it, so I wouldn't say I was easy on them. Wish I could say during the same time I never had scratches to my own hands! I will admit I am careful when I take it off to put it in a place it wont get things put on it, and if I know I am going to work with rocks, concrete, or brick, I do tend to take it off.

Not to take away from people who had a different experience. Just sharing mine. And I am the kind that likes to rationalize upgrades, which I perceive the sapphire glass to be. I just can't in this case from experience (but I can rationalize upgrading my S5 to S6 for the blood O2 measurements).

 

[chipsandsalsa]

I have a regular S5 and i just use one of those screen protectors. I rough house my watch with housework and whatnot and wanted a slight amount of peace of mind just in case. It has saved the screen multiple times from being scratched - just peel off the protector and put a new one on.Still looks great too!

 

[Evil Dan]

I've had an aluminum ever since S0... had the SO, S2,S3, S5, and waiting on my S6. Never had a scratch that I would notice. I think I had one that if I squinted at it and held it to the light just right could barely make out what might have been a scratch. I resold every one, so it wasn't just my eyes. And I cringe at the amount of times my arms swings as I go through a door and catch my watch on it, so I wouldn't say I was easy on them. Wish I could say during the same time I never had scratches to my own hands! I will admit I am careful when I take it off to put it in a place it wont get things put on it, and if I know I am going to work with rocks, concrete, or brick, I do tend to take it off.

Not to take away from people who had a different experience. Just sharing mine. And I am the kind that likes to rationalize upgrades, which I perceive the sapphire glass to be. I just can't in this case from experience (but I can rationalize upgrading my S5 to S6 for the blood O2 measurements).

I think this is a fair point. I bought it for doing things while wearing as an activity tracker so more likely to get scratched - i.e. gardening and football. However the big scratch happened knocking it on a metal gate as I walked past on the way to Tesco.

 

[G5isAlive]

I think this is a fair point. I bought it for doing things while wearing as an activity tracker so more likely to get scratched - i.e. gardening and football. However the big scratch happened knocking it on a metal gate as I walked past on the way to Tesco.

Yeah, maybe that's the difference, I tend to hit wood instead of metal! I don't think I would wear it if I was digging through the dirt gardening, but that's more because I really like my natural wood band lol. I definitely would not wear any watch or ring's while playing contact sports. Obviously no worries with running or cycling.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The large scratch at 3 o'clock position happened in the first week. It is so deep that I thought it was a crack initially and sent it back to Apple who confirmed it was a deep scratch.

There is no way I would be able to put up with seeing those scratches every day. I would have to buy another watch. I pay extra for SS models just so I can get better protection. Admittedly, I briefly considered Al yesterday, and knew I would end up getting the watch scratched, even though I am very careful.

 

[44267547]

So I’m going to take the plunge this year with the watch, I’ve been waiting 2 years for a faster SoC as I still felt the watch was a bit slow and I’m now hoping the S6 will feel fast enough.

My concern is if I should go SS for the sapphire display or get an aluminium model.

I’m more than happy with how the aluminium looks it’s just how durable the glass is. I’m pretty careful with my stuff and I’ll have AppleCare on it but I still worry as it’s something I’ll wear all the time.

Can anyone put my mind at rest on how their ion x displays have held up over several months/years?

There is copious amounts of threads on the Ion-X Glass not holding up to every day encounters with scratches, and I can’t condone ion-X glass whatsoever. If you have the extra money, and you would appreciate the aesthetics of the stainless or titanium, then I would suggest those models, which include Sapphire. If you’re someone is concerned about scratches on the cheaper/entry-level sport model, then I would recommend a screen protector or be prepared to deal with the aftermath of scratches/micro-scratches in general.

 

[MadCar]

I'm pretty careful but both of my Aluminium watches have had scratches. Mostly DIY it will be fine and then opps it wasn't, so I use my old watch when I'm doing lots of DIY. I've just checked my current S5 and its a year old and there are lots of fine scratches mainly around the curve of the edge of the screen but you have to look to see them, but they are certainly there, its no mineral face. My wife by contrast has had two Aluminium Apple watches in the same time period and they are perfect not a scratch.

However I'm not sure the extra for a SS is worth it considering the drop in value but each to their own.

 

[fuchsdh]

I scratched mine up pretty quickly when I got it, as I hadn't been wearing a watch for more than a decade that that point and I didn't realize how much I just ran into stuff with my arms. I haven't noticed any new scratches in the past year or so, though, and really scratches are just a part of life—they aren't deep or interfere with my day-to-day use.

Sapphire won't scratch the same way, but it'll also be more prone to shattering, so I really wouldn't say that the expense just for the material is worth it given that it's still a watch.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I scratched mine up pretty quickly when I got it, as I hadn't been wearing a watch for more than a decade that that point and I didn't realize how much I just ran into stuff with my arms. I haven't noticed any new scratches in the past year or so, though, and really scratches are just a part of life—they aren't deep or interfere with my day-to-day use.

Sapphire won't scratch the same way, but it'll also be more prone to shattering, so I really wouldn't say that the expense just for the material is worth it given that it's still a watch.

If the SS screen shatters on me, (which it never has) I will get Apple to fix it with my AC+ or buy me a new watch, depending on the age of the broken watch.

 

[peryhypen]

My 2 yr old Series 4 has got about 6 scratches on the face and in certain light they are quite noticeable. These scratches were caused by accidental collisions with everyday use and I take the watch off if I’m reaching into something that may cause damage. Next one I’m considering the sapphire glass version, but I’m undecided by how often I upgrade against the additional cost of the sapphire version. I don’t feel any need to upgrade at the momen, maybe a micro LED display with longer battery life may be the one. But I do find the scratches annoying at times.

 

[44267547]

My 2 yr old Series 4 has got about 6 scratches on the face and in certain light they are quite noticeable. These scratches were caused by accidental collisions with everyday use and I take the watch off if I’m reaching into something that may cause damage. Next one I’m considering the sapphire glass version, but I’m undecided by how often I upgrade against the additional cost of the sapphire version. I don’t feel any need to upgrade at the momen, maybe a micro LED display with longer battery life may be the one. But I do find the scratches annoying at times.

Here’s to hoping, but if the series 7 can offer new display technology with micro LED, It will greatly reduce the energy consumption, which should push the battery longevity beyond 18 hours at the current rating. Apple is already ahead with all the health features they’ve been releasing annually, it’s time they focus on the battery standards.