I see lots of folks upgrading from an S0. That's a solid 4 years of use. Batteries, cases, screens, speed... how did it all hold up? From what I understand, resale tanks after the next series is announced, so you either keep them for 1 year or you're in it for the long haul. If that's the case, there's maybe good reason to go for a more durable stainless/sapphire versus an aluminum. Thoughts?
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Realistically, how many years can I expect to get out of a S4?
- Thread starter mjr1000
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I look for 2 or 3 years which is why I go with the SS. Having said that I am upgrading from a series 2 because of the new health features in the 4. So this one lasted just at 2 years, but I'd rather get 3.
The finish on my rose gold series 1 is still fine. I sometimes think the SS scratches more.
The SS scratches but the difference is if you buy a cape code wipe and spend about 10 mins polishing it - you can polish most to all scratches out and make it look brand new again. I polished my SO SS before I shipped it and buyer asked if I had even worn it
Here's where my thinking is at - damn, $550+ (w/tax) for an aluminum watch? I don't really plan to sell in a year. And SB SS looks really nice. But damn, $800 (w/tax) for SB SS with a sport band?
I'm going to be wearing it to the gym every day. The stainless is heavier, and the case will be more prone to scratches. But the aluminum needs a screen protector for sure. At least I'd get the sweet Nike + band.
Am I going to sell it in a year? If yes, aluminum for sure. Resale will probably be like $350 vs maybe $500 for the stainless. But maybe I could keep this one for 2 or 3 years. What would my aluminum look like then? Stainless would probably hold up better, and resale will be nothing after 3 years on either watch.
Why is this so damn difficult?
I'm going to be wearing it to the gym every day. The stainless is heavier, and the case will be more prone to scratches. But the aluminum needs a screen protector for sure. At least I'd get the sweet Nike + band.
Am I going to sell it in a year? If yes, aluminum for sure. Resale will probably be like $350 vs maybe $500 for the stainless. But maybe I could keep this one for 2 or 3 years. What would my aluminum look like then? Stainless would probably hold up better, and resale will be nothing after 3 years on either watch.
Why is this so damn difficult?
If you don’t outright break it About 4 yrs
Apple will give you up to 2 yrs of warranty
And 1-2 years more of OS compatibility
Before your hardware cannot support new OS features
Battery should be borderline between 70-80%
Just enough to get you through most of a day.
The whole idea of ceramic or fine gold casing holding value just ain’t gonna happen
Theses Watch’s loose 1/2 to 4/5th Of their value as time passes
Apple will give you up to 2 yrs of warranty
And 1-2 years more of OS compatibility
Before your hardware cannot support new OS features
Battery should be borderline between 70-80%
Just enough to get you through most of a day.
The whole idea of ceramic or fine gold casing holding value just ain’t gonna happen
Theses Watch’s loose 1/2 to 4/5th Of their value as time passes
My original SS 42mm is in great shape. I knew this would be my upgrade year. My S0 is a little slow. I use it when I golf for yardage to the green. It is slow for that and starting workouts. Got my wife a Nike+ S3 for Mother’s Day abs wanted to get a S4 for Walkie Talkie since the S0 can’t do that function. I figured this was a good year to upgrade. I plan on get 3-5 years out of this one. I will either sell my S0 or keep it for night wearing for sleep tracking.
My series 0 got three years. So that’s what I plan to get with series 4.
I've had the space gray aluminum version of every single watch Apple has released and I've never had either the glass or case show any signs of wear at all. I do take it off if I'm doing something like working on the car but other than that I take it off just long enough to charge it every day.
I have a Stainless Steel S0 which I got on launch day when it was released. It was slow the day I received it and it is slow today.
However, for my use, which is just notifications + starting workouts + tracking fitness + time keeping, it was fine. As long as I didn't launch any apps (aside from the Workout/Activity app which I keep on the watch face so they launch instantly), it performs just fine. The battery lasts the entire work day for me, including workouts, from 9:00AM from when I put it on to around 12:00AM when I go to sleep. From a 4 year old watch, this is pretty amazing.
Honestly, if Apple didn't EOL the S0 with the watchOS updates this year, I would have eeked one more year out of it.
If you look at this iPhone-iOS trend—https://twitter.com/OneJaredNewman/status/1040671936660103168—it seems like every two years, the number of major iOS updates supported by each iPhone increases. It makes sense that this would be true for the watch as well if they keep making the watch faster, thinner and make the battery last longer. So I'm hoping to get at least 5-6 years use out of the S4.
...anyway, that's how I justified me spending almost $1000 on the watch this year.
However, for my use, which is just notifications + starting workouts + tracking fitness + time keeping, it was fine. As long as I didn't launch any apps (aside from the Workout/Activity app which I keep on the watch face so they launch instantly), it performs just fine. The battery lasts the entire work day for me, including workouts, from 9:00AM from when I put it on to around 12:00AM when I go to sleep. From a 4 year old watch, this is pretty amazing.
Honestly, if Apple didn't EOL the S0 with the watchOS updates this year, I would have eeked one more year out of it.
If you look at this iPhone-iOS trend—https://twitter.com/OneJaredNewman/status/1040671936660103168—it seems like every two years, the number of major iOS updates supported by each iPhone increases. It makes sense that this would be true for the watch as well if they keep making the watch faster, thinner and make the battery last longer. So I'm hoping to get at least 5-6 years use out of the S4.
...anyway, that's how I justified me spending almost $1000 on the watch this year.
I'm one of those Series 0 SS wearers that will be upgrading. I wear my watch every day, whether I leave the house or not; I've always worn a watch in this manner. I mention that because even after all that, my watch looks (almost) as good as the day I bought it, and a quick polish would probably remove that (almost.)
My Series 0 would probably last another year or so easily. However, I'm upgrading because it was the first version out, and I'm excited about getting the increased speed as well as the new features.
My Series 0 would probably last another year or so easily. However, I'm upgrading because it was the first version out, and I'm excited about getting the increased speed as well as the new features.
I had a Series 0 SS but upgraded to a Series 3 SS last year. My wife now has the Series 0 — it looks great still but is incredibly slow. To me, the Apple Watch didn’t become really useful into Series 3.
I wear my Series 3 everyday for all kinds of activity, including swimming and surfing. No problems.
I personally prefer the SS because I think it looks more professional. But this year I decided to save a few bucks and try the aluminum instead. At any rate, I think you can easily expect to get two years out of the current crop, if not three or more.
I wear my Series 3 everyday for all kinds of activity, including swimming and surfing. No problems.
I personally prefer the SS because I think it looks more professional. But this year I decided to save a few bucks and try the aluminum instead. At any rate, I think you can easily expect to get two years out of the current crop, if not three or more.
Yea, I went ss then and now I’m pot committed with a leather and Milanese strap. Plus I’m interfacing in a suit with clients everyday and stainless is a cleaner look for that.
I have a S0 SS and it has held up really well after 3yrs of (almost) daily use. I take it off once I'm home for the day, so it was typically worn for ~10-12hrs/day. Never used any screen protectors/covers. It is a little slow, the battery drains a little faster now (but still good enough for daily use), and it sucks that it won't support future OS updates. I'm excited about my new S4 SS, but if it weren't form the major changes in S4, I could probably hold on for another year.
I’ve just sold me series 0 for £100. I bought it on launch day. It was on my wrist every single day, without fail, for the entire time. I took it swimming (yes, swimming) all the time, I showered with it on, I used it for everything it was capable of being used for. It never once faultered. And to be honest, I never found it too slow either. Literally the only reason I’ve upgraded this week is because the OS has capped out and I can’t have the new features, so I figured why not upgrade.
By the way, mine wasn’t stainless either. The aluminium held up perfectly. The only protection I ever put on it was a skinomi screen protector.
I had an SS S0 from launch and upgraded to S2 on launch. My S0 was sold immaculate with no scratches on screen and any scratches on the case buffed out with a Cape Cod. I had my S2 for 2 years and I’m upgrading to S4. However I’m sure my S2 would have kept me happy for another years or more as I seriously debated sticking with it for another year. It’s performance doesn’t make me think I NEED a faster watch and the cosmetics are still the same, no scratches on screen and a few buffings on the case
In terms of actually being supported with watchOS, I would expect at least four years for the Series 4, but it’s also difficult to say depending on which changes Apple makes over the course of watchOS upgrades. But then you have to factor in battery life expectancy as well, which depending on one’s usage, it could need replacing approximately three years, but I also make sure to charge my watch regularly as well.