Hello All, I've seen display reflective comparisons between Sapphire crystal and Ion-X glass but they seem to center on 1st generation watches. I plan to use my new Apple Watch Series 3 outdoors often and wonder if there really is a difference in the quality and brightness of the display or would I be happier with one over the other in bright sunlight. So, what say you - Sapphire crystal OR Ion-X glass?
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Sapphire crystal OR Ion-X glass?
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Due to all the scratches, you won’t be able to see the Ion-X Glass anyway. So Sapphire 
All sarcasm aside. Sapphire in my opinion is the only way to go when buying any watch. Even with the 1st gen Apple Watch I had no issues seeing it in daylight, even in bright ass Arizona. But also understand, the resell value of these is garbage.
All sarcasm aside. Sapphire in my opinion is the only way to go when buying any watch. Even with the 1st gen Apple Watch I had no issues seeing it in daylight, even in bright ass Arizona. But also understand, the resell value of these is garbage.
I've got both and there really is little difference out in daylight, especially with the brighter screen of the Series 2.
With respect to the preceding folks, I've got the original and the Watch 2, both in the aluminum models, which is to say both with glass. Both are still pristine, despite daily wearing. Unless you're a car mechanic or rock-buster, it doesn't much matter.
Actually, the real benefit from Sapphire Glass is the scratch resistance. Its a less flexible glass and would be more prone to cracking than the Ion-X glass. AppleCare would be a good idea in general, I think and even more so with the SS version for both the glass and value you get out of it in case of accidents.
I am going with with an Ion-X glass for the S3. I know enough people with Ion-X glass versions and no scratches that I will get one this time around.
I don't believe that for a second. Ion-X is less durable, not even close. It will take quite a bit of force to scratch and crack the Sapphire Glass. Meanwhile if you get a small ding in the Ion-X, it's done as that crack will expand through the entire watch. Seen it happen to so many people. If you beat your watch up either go Stainless or invest the $49 in Applecare.
Hardness and Toughness are two completely different properties when looking at materials.
For the purpose of this thread, more hardness means more scratch resistance. Sapphire glass is harder than Ion-X glass and will therefore be less likely to scratch.
Toughness on the other hand is determined by how much energy a material can absorb before fracturing. Sapphire glass is not as tough as Ion-X glass and will be more likely to shatter.
I also happen to know more people with Sapphire glass screens shatter. Scratches won't turn into cracks unless a lot of focal pressure is applied. Fairly certain apprehensive nature of people will be if they see their screen is damaged they will start being more careful if they truly "beat up" their devices.
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Due to all the scratches, you won’t be able to see the Ion-X Glass anyway. So Sapphire
All sarcasm aside. Sapphire in my opinion is the only way to go when buying any watch. Even with the 1st gen Apple Watch I had no issues seeing it in daylight, even in bright ass Arizona. But also understand, the resell value of these is garbage.
Valid points. I think once when someone purchases the Apple Watch, they just need to have the mindset that this is a piece of technology and it's going to deappreciate Rather quickly and there isn't really any exclusivity factor to it, mainly because it's a masses produced item. But as others have stated, when someone upgrades to the stainless model, the sapphire display is worth it when protecting a tiny little display from annoying scratches that we use for viewing notifications and fitness.
I failed to research which versions had sapphire, and I am really regretting ordering the Nike LTE as it doesn't have the sapphire. My Fenix 3hr had Saphire, and as careful as I was with it, I still banged the glass a few times and it remained mint. I wear my watch all the time, so I may cancel my order and place one for the stainless sapphire. I will order a ceramic in a few years when battery life is significantly longer. I can justify spending a little more for the more scratch resistant sapphire though. Decisions decisions.
Sapphire. Non-issue with 1000 nits. Also note that you cannot set the brightness to 1000 nits... it will only go that high by itself in sunlight when required.
Some compare the brightness of the watches with the brightness setting set to maximum, and then wonder why they can't see a difference...
Some compare the brightness of the watches with the brightness setting set to maximum, and then wonder why they can't see a difference...
only you can answer that question. There are many many threads here discussing this, do some research here.
Personally, I had S0 and S3 aluminum, and they both scratched, both body and ion-x, my S4 is SS and there is no scratch on the body bu a tiny one in the glass (sapphire) but only visible under a certain angle so it doesn't bother me during daily use. I am rather rough on my watch, meaning I don't go out of my way to not hit the watch, I wear it during mountain biking, yard work etc ... but SS or Ti loose their value much faster ... only you can decide if that is worth the add $s
That’s a very tough question. I only buy the Hermès or Ceramic versions. All Apple watches probably aren’t worth it, but that’s why I also buy Apple stock multiple times each quarter. That’s the only Apple product that’s really worth it...
I don’t mean to be Intrusive, but I wouldn’t ask is it ‘worth the additional $400’, I would ask yourself can you afford the difference of the $400 by justifying that it includes a sapphire display and different casing material, that’s it. There are no other substantial differences between the more premium Apple watches versus the entry-level sport model given they all perform the same watchOS and include the same performance.
The only reason I mentioned the ‘afford part of my post‘, is that’s a steep price hike for some that aren’t willing to spend that kind of money for a sapphire displays/casing material, when they would be perfectly happy with the aluminum with the ion-X glass.
It's not a 1:1 comparison - there's more than just the glass that's different. First of all, it has cellular/LTE built in, which starts at $499/529 in the aluminum version. So, most would tend to say it's $200 more (since the Stainless Steel version w/sapphire crystal starts at $699). At most, it's $300 more than the GPS only aluminum version. But in addition to the cellular/LTE and the sapphire crystal, it has the stainless steel body, which is another upgrade.
Truly, only you can decide. I was all set to get the Aluminum version but became concerned about the Ion-X Glass. I really hate scratched up watches and worried I'd mess it up terrible. I plan to wear it 24/7 except for showers and charging. I have health issues and need the heart rate sensor and blood oxygen monitoring.
If you don't care much about the screen, want to invest in screen protectors (which most say aren't great on AW, though there are a few that are acceptable and usable - and these generally cost $30+), prefer the lighter weight, or simply don't want to pay the extra, go with the aluminum. If you're worried about scratches or will be upset if you scratch up the Ion-X, and can afford the extra $$, go with the sapphire crystal.
Or get a Withings Scanwatch which is stainless steel and sapphire at £249. Not really serious but it does highlight the ridiculous prices Apple charge!
The Achilles heel of the sapphire is if you drop it from 18”+ onto a hard surface it’s gone.
I have the SS and it is lovely I don’t worry about scratches but I wouldn’t buy another. I had an S3 Alu for a year and only got a tiny scratch in the corner. You can nearly buy 2 alu watches for a sapphire model so you can hedge your bets. If you like up to date tech then these devices are only good for 3yrs anyway.
I have the SS and it is lovely I don’t worry about scratches but I wouldn’t buy another. I had an S3 Alu for a year and only got a tiny scratch in the corner. You can nearly buy 2 alu watches for a sapphire model so you can hedge your bets. If you like up to date tech then these devices are only good for 3yrs anyway.
Not to dispute the accuracy of what you said, but it’s a bit exaggerated on here over the years, and very few examples have been documented from other members of the ‘shattering’. In terms of a ‘drop’, it’s not much more different than the sport model Apple Watch if you drop that as well. And the reason being, the Ion-X Glass is just as much prone to cracking as the sapphire model is to shattering. So my point is, it doesn’t matter which watch you drop, because it’s really based on the height, the angle of the Apple Watch lands on and surface type. That’s all that matters. The sapphire display is not Achilles’ heel for the stainless model, all these watches are prone to damaged displays if they’re dropped, mainly because The real enemy is not the display material, it’s the three ingredients I underlined above that contribute To the crack/Shatter. All these watches are fragile to some degree when they are dropped.
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