I think SS is the way to go if you want it to last for years. I have the SBSS series 4 and I see little scratches but overall the screen is still perfect. In terms of performance, I think watchOS 7 made it much zippier. I have no inclination to upgrade to a newer watch.
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Sapphire crystal OR Ion-X glass?
- Thread starter TScottTX
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I honestly think it depends on the person. I don't like the little scratches that develop on the ion x glass so I always go with sapphire. But I know plenty of people where those little scratches don't bother them and prefer the weight and price of the aluminum.
I don’t agree with the drop theory. I say this because over the weekend I dropped my Series5 TI watch from about 4 feet onto our porcelain tile floors in the house. It landed flat on the face (glass). I expected to see a shattered screen when i picked it up but much to my surprise and RELIEF it was unmarked. No scratches, no cracks, no sh**. My heart stopped when the watch slipped from my hands.
Having said that I may have been just lucky nothing happened. I will not do that again for sure. Nothing personal but I don’t want to prove or disprove your theory!!!
I bought the Titanium because I could. It’s Cellular/GPS and when people ask about it I tell them it’s “Titanium”. I get lots of OOOHs and AHHHHs. Kind of like at a fireworks display. I am very careful, except for this weekend, with my watch so it’s very unlikely to get damaged. If it does get minor marks on it that’s okay. I bought it to wear and use and the possibility of minor marks is always present. Get what your wallet can afford and you’ll be happy. As many have said, these watches depreciate in value pretty quickly so get what you can afford and enjoy it.
If I was considering paying extra for SS just because I was really worried about scratches on the glass ruining the experience for me, or if I really wanted a colour which is only in the aluminium range (e.g. blue for the s6), I'm wondering whether an option might be to simply risk it with the Ion-X and, if the these-scratches-are-killing-it-for-me situation did arise go to a reputable repair place and ask them to fix the Ion-X glass by replacing it with Sapphire - or do Apple do anything tricky with the glass such that a sapphire and an Ion-X glass cover aren't interchangeable?
The above doesn't make much sense at Apple out-of-warranty prices because a single repair is pretty much the same price as the uplift from aluminium to SS anyway. Third party repairs seem a lot cheaper but not sure if they would do a Ion-X to sapphire swap even if it was possible. And if it was all possible and priced reasonably it would make most sense to live with any scratches until the warranty expires since I assume a third-party fix would void any remaining warranty.
The above doesn't make much sense at Apple out-of-warranty prices because a single repair is pretty much the same price as the uplift from aluminium to SS anyway. Third party repairs seem a lot cheaper but not sure if they would do a Ion-X to sapphire swap even if it was possible. And if it was all possible and priced reasonably it would make most sense to live with any scratches until the warranty expires since I assume a third-party fix would void any remaining warranty.
$100 more you can get the Stainless Steel and not have to worry.. =) The cellular + GPS + AppleCare has a total of $670.32.. I just did a test add to the shopping cart.. I had a Series 3 SS, and just got a Series 6 SS (coming end of Month because of the leather link band).. but at least I won't need to worry about banging it around with the SS.
True, but do you really want to “bang around” a watch without AC+? Personal choice of course, I have just gone AC+ monthly after having paid out of pocket for the first 2 years on my S4 SSSB
True. Some, like me, have to carry heavy things at work and may scrape the watch against the wall or metal things.. Also, I do gardening work too (50+ fruit trees at home), while some others aren't too physical, so their watch shouldn't have problems. You have to see for yourself which is the better benefit.
Agreed, and after 2 years of banging myself I do have some minor scratches in the sapphire that I can only see under certain angles, nevertheless they’re there. I wear my watch during all activities such as mountain biking, yard work etc... for me AC+ is peace of mind but YMMV
Everyone's experience will vary, but for me, I've come to the conclusion that sapphire isn't worth it (beyond the ego boost).
I had the SS first-gen (S0). After about 2.5 years the display separated because the battery expanded (Apple replaced at no charge). I used the replacement for another year before upgrading to an S4 aluminum.
The polished steel on the replacement S0 (which I used for a bit more than a year) shows many small scratches and scuffs. My recollection is the original S0 had some pretty deep scratches in the case. I can't see any scratches/scuffs on the matte aluminum S4.
The display on the replacement S0 has one or two light scratches, otherwise looks pristine. My recollection of the original S0 was that it picked up some scuffs and light scratches - some seemed to the materials the watch contacted, like wall paint - sometimes I was able to rub those off, but it didn't all come off - maybe it was in the coating.
The display on my S4 has some light scratching/scuffing/marks that are only visible from certain oblique angles - I suspect they're in the coating, rather than the glass. It doesn't have any noticeable impact on usability - I have to be looking for them in order to see them. If I'm right about it being in the coating, then the same might have happened to a sapphire - the coating isn't any harder.
Altogether, considering the price differential and that this is a bit of tech that I'd upgrade after 2-3 years, I don't see the point of paying several hundred dollars more. I certainly would not consider the extra money spent on sapphire to be a substitute for AppleCare - a cracked screen isn't the only bad thing that can happen, and sapphire does break, it's just less likely to break.
Fact is, most of the wristwatches I'd owned earlier in life (Timexes, for the most part) showed much more damage - more and deeper scratches. My work was more physical in those days, but I think overall Ion-X Glass probably deserves a bit of credit too.
I had the SS first-gen (S0). After about 2.5 years the display separated because the battery expanded (Apple replaced at no charge). I used the replacement for another year before upgrading to an S4 aluminum.
The polished steel on the replacement S0 (which I used for a bit more than a year) shows many small scratches and scuffs. My recollection is the original S0 had some pretty deep scratches in the case. I can't see any scratches/scuffs on the matte aluminum S4.
The display on the replacement S0 has one or two light scratches, otherwise looks pristine. My recollection of the original S0 was that it picked up some scuffs and light scratches - some seemed to the materials the watch contacted, like wall paint - sometimes I was able to rub those off, but it didn't all come off - maybe it was in the coating.
The display on my S4 has some light scratching/scuffing/marks that are only visible from certain oblique angles - I suspect they're in the coating, rather than the glass. It doesn't have any noticeable impact on usability - I have to be looking for them in order to see them. If I'm right about it being in the coating, then the same might have happened to a sapphire - the coating isn't any harder.
Altogether, considering the price differential and that this is a bit of tech that I'd upgrade after 2-3 years, I don't see the point of paying several hundred dollars more. I certainly would not consider the extra money spent on sapphire to be a substitute for AppleCare - a cracked screen isn't the only bad thing that can happen, and sapphire does break, it's just less likely to break.
Fact is, most of the wristwatches I'd owned earlier in life (Timexes, for the most part) showed much more damage - more and deeper scratches. My work was more physical in those days, but I think overall Ion-X Glass probably deserves a bit of credit too.
Had an Apple Watch 4 with IonX and later with Sapphire. I prefer the Sapphire one. I like to wear my watch as a luxury accessory. The IonX screen is a great scratch magnet and the aluminum casing looks a bit cheap. It is insanely easy to scratch it, even though it was not a deep scratch. The aluminum case also showed some wear after 3 months already
So I switched to Stainless Steel with Sapphire. I had no scratches or whatever when I sold my AW4 and made the same decision again: SS with Saphire in a very sexy Graphite color.
And I am very careful with my Watch. I treat it as a costly jewelry (which is true, with a 720 euro costing Watch and a 350 euro costing Link Bracelet).
So I switched to Stainless Steel with Sapphire. I had no scratches or whatever when I sold my AW4 and made the same decision again: SS with Saphire in a very sexy Graphite color.
And I am very careful with my Watch. I treat it as a costly jewelry (which is true, with a 720 euro costing Watch and a 350 euro costing Link Bracelet).
My last five watches before AW have been plastic Casios or Timexes.
No wonder I got no respect.
Or friends.
Or dates.
No wonder I got no respect.
Or friends.
Or dates.
The only Apple Watch crystal I've scratched was on my Aluminum Apple Watch 4 (I fell against a door hard enough to trigger the fall detector). the scratch was only slightly noticeable. As an Apple trade-in I don't think it's a problem, but if you choose to sell it to one of the independent Apple Watch buyers, one of the first questions they ask is if there are any scratches on the crystal (scratches diminish its value to them). That said, I currently have a space black SS series 2 and a silver SS series 5. With these I worry more about scratching the watch body than I do the crystal (want to get top $ when I sell it). One slightly off-topic point .. The silver SS watch has a great and distinctive look to it. But as my brother pointed out, my space black SS series 2 watch doesn't look much different from the Space Gray Aluminum. The difference though is that the body of the space black SS with its hardened coating is far less susceptible to scratches.
I’ve had ion-x screens since Apple Watch S0 and in my experience (I’m not the most careful person in the world) the screen always displays some sort of marking after a couple of months whether it be a scratch or other minor blemish (I always have AC+ For this reason).
This year I decided to get a SS and so far the screen has had one little knock against a rock whilst out hiking and I panicked before looking down and seeing no damage whatsoever.
The sapphire screen is great for peace of mind or if you engage in manual work, ‘outdoorsy’ exercise or lifting weights in the gym (I had an experience of a dumb bell scratching a screen a few years ago)
Ultimately the decision depends on affordability and your lifestyle/activity levels.
This year I decided to get a SS and so far the screen has had one little knock against a rock whilst out hiking and I panicked before looking down and seeing no damage whatsoever.
The sapphire screen is great for peace of mind or if you engage in manual work, ‘outdoorsy’ exercise or lifting weights in the gym (I had an experience of a dumb bell scratching a screen a few years ago)
Ultimately the decision depends on affordability and your lifestyle/activity levels.
no it doesn't, but one of those "bangs" might do some more damage...
Really well said. And that’s exactly what it comes down to, The stainless/titanium models are approaching near a $1000, and for a ‘smart watch‘, that’s expensive. But if somebody is really particular about aesthetics and sees (And understands) the benefit of the sapphire display, it’s a great experience. The only negative trade-off, is they do not hold stable in value, as matter fact; the aluminum model can hold just as much value as the stainless in some aspects, just because consumers generally aren’t interested in the stainless models given they all perform the same functionality.
I finally moved up to a SS Graphite version for the series 6 cause of the minor scuffing I would get on the Ion-X for the sports versions. I wanna see if the sapphire screen will stand up to the test better.