Now that it's apparent how poor battery life is on these devices....

[H. Flower]

What is the rational behind purchasing stainless steel or higher?

For instance, my dad is a watch enthusiast and for his 60th birthday my family and I chipped in and purchased him the original stainless steel watch and band, for 1k+

Now he's almost 63, and the thing is slow as hell and due for an upgrade (due to, in an Apple geniuses's own words, battery degradation).

Sports I can maybe see, but due to its price, SS has much more value to lose.

Any defenders of SS?

 

[NT1440]

I’m not sure what you mean. Im on an S0 from about a month after launch. I get home from work at about 65%, or I top it off to 100% before I head out to bike after work on a portable charger.

On the SS note, I don’t think (personally) it makes sense to spend that much on a computer watch when the person it’s for is a mechanical (meaning he’ll keep them for decades) watch collector.

 

[44267547]

What is the rational behind purchasing stainless steel or higher?

More premium materials. With the stainless steel, it has a more of an attractive appeal and you’re also receiving the Sapphire display, which is highly scratch resistant with the display. It’s Strictly preference in materials. Otherwise versus questioning the more expensive models, then you have the option of the aluminum model which is significantly cheaper.

For instance, my dad is a watch enthusiast and for his 60th birthday my family and I chipped in and purchased him the original stainless steel watch and band, for 1k+

Now he's almost 63, and the thing is slow as hell and due for an upgrade (due to, in an Apple geniuses's own words, battery degradation).

Have you tried any troubleshooting steps other than being told it’s battery?

Like:

1.) Is the WatchOS up to date?

2.) Initiate a Hard reset by holding the Digital Crown and power button to clear any glitches/problems.

3.) Are there any third-party applications installed thar could be contributing to the lag?

4.) Did The genius conduct a battery test to determine where your Dad’s battery watch is currently at? The threshold is 80%.


Keep in mind, that first generation Apple Watch is almost 3 years old and it’s the processor that is ultimately the culprit, it’s Not just the battery.

Sports I can maybe see, but due to its price, SS has much more value to lose.

Any defenders of SS?

I don’t think you need to be a ‘Defender of the stainless steel in order to appreciate it. Yes, the sports model is semi equal to what the stainless model would be worth used. However, That’s because most consumers don’t want to purchase the stainless model, which is significantly more expensive. But that’s strictly preference of what somebody appreciates in terms of materials. I prefer the stainless model with the Sapphire display and I find I have a multitude of bands that I can pair with it. I personally just like the way the stainless looks and the weight of it.

 

[the future]

If you paid 1K for the Watch, a big part of that was the link bracelet, which could be used indefinitely with new Watches. And if the battery is the (main) problem, Apple will install a new one for $ 79.

 

[s15119]

I love my Series 3. I use it constantly and it's become part of my daily life. Having said that, I can't see spending $1000 on one of these things. Not only is the battery likely to degrade with time; it's the nature of batteries. But the technology will change and each year or so they will come out with the latest and greatest. Naw, I'll stick with the sport and like my phone, probably upgrade every 2 to 3 years.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I get very good battery life with the Apple Watch s3.

OP, if your dad is having a bad experience with the battery, check to make sure no apps are causing problems (such as not closing properly etc) and also have Apple check the battery. It could be that it is time to replace the battery.

 

[macdragonfl]

Sometimes in addition to hard reseting the Apple Watch, hard reset the iPhone it is paired to at the same time. Wait a day or so then if not improved the unpair and set up the watch as new.

 

[Starship67]

SS holds up to minor scratches, if you like em they are referred to as patina, if you don't like them they can be buffed out. Sapphire crystal another plus selling point. I still have and use my my S0 daily and have no issues for my usage still runs smooth albeit a little slow battery still going strong at coming up on 3 years. Battery last me all day. It usually comes off the charger around 7am and back on at 11pm usually with at least 30% or more battery level left.

 

[bruinsrme]

I purchased the series 2 and 3 edition along with the the series 3 SBSS.
I happen to like the look of the white ceramic and the SBSS.

As others have mentioned the better materials is what I am willing to pay for.

 

[bigjnyc]

SS just looks so much better that it’s worth the extra money for me. I tend to use metal and leather bands, the sport watch just looks horrible with those.

 

[MJ22]

I love my Series 3. I use it constantly and it's become part of my daily life. Having said that, I can't see spending $1000 on one of these things. Not only is the battery likely to degrade with time; it's the nature of batteries. But the technology will change and each year or so they will come out with the latest and greatest. Naw, I'll stick with the sport and like my phone, probably upgrade every 2 to 3 years.

Same here. My style is kind of sporty anyway and the watch’s main function for me is a GPS for running, with the awesome safety/convenience factor of LTE as I run alone most of the time without my phone. I think the watch is great looking even in aluminum! But I know myself and if there’s a new version with a different look, I’ll want it. In my mind, it’s an electronic, not a Rolex.

 

[Apple Fritter]

I'm not sure why a 3-yr-old smart watch would be expected to run like the current model. We're three generations ahead now and the Series 3 runs for several days, snappy on top.

That's a bit like complaining that the first car guzzled up like 20 gal. per mile compared to today's much more efficient models.

 

[tl01]

I’m not sure I fully understand what the question is. Battery life on my series 3 is great. I love my watch. I use it all the time.

People who get the SS or edition get it because they prefer the material and the glass upgrade. I have an aluminum watch but am thinking of trying the SS next time around. It’s just a matter of preference.

 

[44267547]

I’m not sure I fully understand what the question is. Battery life on my series 3 is great. I love my watch. I use it all the time.

It’s not much of a question the OP is asking, the As they are more or less generally complaining about the battery life on the first Generation Apple. At this point, the Battery life is degrading to the point where it’s not as healthy as it once was. Naturally your Series 3 would be better with a newer battery and more efficient processor.

 

[tl01]

It’s not much of a question the OP is asking, the As they are more or less generally complaining about the battery life on the first Generation Apple. At this point, the Battery life is degrading to the point where it’s not as healthy as it once was. Naturally your Series 3 would be better with a newer battery and more efficient processor.

Still don’t get it....then replace battery or get a new watch. It is like why do people spend more on a nice car than a cheap one? Or why do people pay extra for matte paint on a car vs regular paint. People pay extra for what they want to pay extra for.

 

[44267547]

Still don’t get it....then replace battery or get a new watch. It is like why do people spend more on a nice car than a cheap one? Or why do people pay extra for matte paint on a car vs regular paint. People pay extra for what they want to pay extra for.

Out of warranty, Apple won’t replace the battery unless the Apple Watch battery holds 80 percent or less of its original battery capacity for general wear. If the battery is defective or can be proven, then that’s a different situation. That’s how it was explained to me from a Genius employee.

Also, I think the OP is saying/complaining that they spent a lot of money on the stainless Apple Watch and link bracelet, now that the battery has aids, the Watch apparently is slow. But that’s the nature of technology in general. I wouldn’t replace the battery if Apple permitted it, I would simply upgrade. But again, the cost of materials Strictly preference of what someone likes.

 

[Ffosse]

I love my Series 3. I use it constantly and it's become part of my daily life. Having said that, I can't see spending $1000 on one of these things. Not only is the battery likely to degrade with time; it's the nature of batteries. But the technology will change and each year or so they will come out with the latest and greatest. Naw, I'll stick with the sport and like my phone, probably upgrade every 2 to 3 years.

That's my rationale too: I'd say the AW might be worth its cost but not the SS version when it will become outdated fairly quickly (in terms of mobile devices).

 

[wesley96]

Having used both an Aluminum (Sport) version with Series 0 and the Stainless Steel (SS) version with Series 2 for 17 months each, it became pretty clear to me that, unless I was going to replace Apple Watch every year, SS was the way to go. Sport racked up scratches small and large in a span of a few months while SS looks practically new after a year and a half.

So the question is, will you be using it that long?

The original AW (Series 0), is slow and has shorter battery life compared to Series 2 or later models. The original poster has already gotten nearly three years' life out of it. Series 0 already felt slow for me on its second year, while I still feel that Series 2 is quite usable in its third year. The latter's battery life being longer helped with slower degradation of charge capacity as well. If the current iteration (Series 3) or next can keep up with making itself last three years without feeling slow or battery running out quick, then sure, get SS.

 

[barjam]

I would only consider the SS version due to the screen. I tried a sport and scratched the screen in a couple days. I have abused the SS including working on cars and such and it is still pristine.

I feel like the series 0 was more or less a beta. I think series 3 will have much longer longevity. I anticipate getting 3-5 years out of this guy.

 

[Plett]

Like most have already mentioned it is aesthetics, can't argue preference for folks. If your personal situation is trouble by price and you like the look better, you're set. Buying any technology to keep it forever has been proven to be folly.

That being said, just replace the battery, as long as Apple support the model you'll get a couple more years out of it.

 

[Nell]

I replaced my original silver Sport watch with a S3 in stainless steel essentially because I fancied a change. If I were going to upgrade every year I’d stick with aluminium but with a 2-3 year upgrade cycle in mind I was prepared to spend the extra money. I don’t have the link strap though.

 

[SHKLMRE]

I have a S0 I bought in late 2016 for 50% off... today the batter life sucks and barely gets me through 7am-10pm... with that being said I think a S3 in stainless steel might not hold it's cost value in a year or two, but I can see it being worth the while if it'll be used for more than a year. I just bought a series 3 space grey and I love the increased performance and battery life, but I miss the stainless steel and am considering buying ss S3

 

[Apple_Robert]

I have a S0 I bought in late 2016 for 50% off... today the batter life sucks and barely gets me through 7am-10pm... with that being said I think a S3 in stainless steel might not hold it's cost value in a year or two, but I can see it being worth the while if it'll be used for more than a year. I just bought a series 3 space grey and I love the increased performance and battery life, but I miss the stainless steel and am considering buying ss S3

The watch is disposable (as far as electronics are concerned). It is not a commodity. It is not mean to hold its value. That is not the purpose of the watch. Whether someone should buy the SS model based on income etc. is a different discussion.

I think too many people on this forum have a warped idea about consumer electronics. And it doesn't help said people keep their rational feet on the ground, when Apple advertises many of their products the way they do.

 

[BarracksSi]

Pay for the battery swap if it’s out of warranty.

Sheesh.

Do we need to trot out the costs of regular servicing of mechanical watches?

 

[SHKLMRE]

The watch is disposable (as far as electronics are concerned). It is not a commodity. It is not mean to hold its value. That is not the purpose of the watch. Whether someone should buy the SS model based on income etc. is a different discussion.

I think too many people on this forum have a warped idea about consumer electronics. And it doesn't help said people keep their rational feet on the ground, when Apple advertises many of their products the way they do.

No one cares if it’s “supposed” to hold value or not. The fact is that if you buy an Apple care and resell it when you’re done, it’s usually still worth something as there’s a good market for selling it. Doesn’t matter if that’s the “purpose” or not. Everything has a value and Apple products tend to carry theirs.

If too many people on this forum have a warped idea then maybe just not read the forum at all?