Apple doesn't disclose but the 6 probably has GG3 and the
Watch will probably have GG4. GG4 is much more scratch resistant.
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Sapphire vs. ion-x glass.. Will the sport watch scratch?
- Thread starter Afluffykitten
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Apple doesn't disclose but the 6 probably has GG3 and the
Watch will probably have GG4. GG4 is much more scratch resistant.As long as you don't use the Sport model for active sports it'll be fine.
For the sports I enjoy each week (rock climbing / kayaking / mountain biking / soccer ) it's not going to cut it. Too vulnerable to scratches and dings.
My Stainless Steel Rolex Submariner with very strong Sapphire Crystal is a very tough watch. It's my rough use play watch.
I use it like one would a cheap G-Shock. It goes diving with me, white water rafting and more. The case is very scratch resistant yet I have scratched it bumping up hard against coral and rocks, I make no attempt to protect it, I just wear it and enjoy it.
After 12 years of hard sports exposure it shows, yet it's only scratched not dinged on the case. The sapphire is harder than nails it's hit everything and remains scratch free. So that experience, has taught me there's no way Apples so called sports watch will take punishment like the Rolex Submariner has.
I'd go for the stainless Apple Watch with Sapphire. That should last and do well.
Frankly I see the plastic banded sports models as throwaway watches probably good for about one year max.
For the sports I enjoy each week (rock climbing / kayaking / mountain biking / soccer ) it's not going to cut it. Too vulnerable to scratches and dings.
My Stainless Steel Rolex Submariner with very strong Sapphire Crystal is a very tough watch. It's my rough use play watch.
I use it like one would a cheap G-Shock. It goes diving with me, white water rafting and more. The case is very scratch resistant yet I have scratched it bumping up hard against coral and rocks, I make no attempt to protect it, I just wear it and enjoy it.
After 12 years of hard sports exposure it shows, yet it's only scratched not dinged on the case. The sapphire is harder than nails it's hit everything and remains scratch free. So that experience, has taught me there's no way Apples so called sports watch will take punishment like the Rolex Submariner has.
I'd go for the stainless Apple Watch with Sapphire. That should last and do well.
Frankly I see the plastic banded sports models as throwaway watches probably good for about one year max.
It is Glass (Gorilla) and while it is more susceptible to being scratched than sapphire you can't say with certainty it is going to scratch.
OK.
But if you wear it, it WILL scratch!
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We shall see what Apple does with the Applecare + warranty. I am thinking it might be a little different as wearables are a different animal for sure.
Alot of Apple users WILL care, some will downright freakout
when their baby get a tiny scratch. If you been around here for any time, you must know how OCD some can be.Again you are stating this as a fact when it is not. I have a Garmin 620 with an acrylic crystal (and have been wearing acrylic crystal Sport watches for over a 12 years). I wear it to the gym while weight lifting 5x week. I wear it running, extreme trail running, biking and swimming. I have fallen many times (even on concert) and it has no scratches (knock on wood).
I have only scratched one that I remember and it was minor. So I have gone through several acrylic crystal watches with NO scratches which PROVES it is possible. Also I have had iPhones (and iPads) since the original and only remember a couple with minor scratches ever (though I have cracked MANY
).There will be plenty of people who will wear the Sport almost every day and even after a couple of years will have no scratches. There will also be people who will buy the SS and scratch the crystal in the first week. With millions sold there will be every combination.
Again you are stating this as a fact when it is not. I have a Garmin 620 with an acrylic crystal (and have been wearing acrylic crystal Sport watches for over a 12 years). I wear it to the gym while weight lifting 5x week. I wear it running, extreme trail running, biking and swimming. I have fallen many times (even on concert) and it has no scratches (knock on wood).
Also I have had iPhones (and iPads) since the original and only remember a couple with minor scratches ever (though I have cracked MANY
There will be plenty of people who will wear the Sport almost every day and even after a couple of years will have no scratches. There will also be people who will buy the SS and scratch the crystal in the first week. With millions sold there will be every combination.
We do not agree.
Just stand by and watch how all the "facts" unfold! You will see.
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I've scratched every watch I've ever owned, and despite the iPhone 6 Plus having the same Ion-X glass, I have micro scratches on that as well (although to be fair, this may be a scratch in the oleophobic coating, not the glass itself). I was initially leaning towards the Sport, but in addition to how much I hate seeing scratches, I think the resale value will be better because there's a better likelihood that a sapphire Apple Watch will still be in pristine condition should I ever want to dump it on eBay.
We do not agree.
Can you provide any documented evidence of any watch (acrylic, glass or sapphire) that has a 100% user scratch rate to back your claim?
Can you provide any documented evidence of any watch (acrylic, glass or sapphire) that has a 100% user scratch rate to back your claim?
I think you are getting confused. Could you not just settle for us not being in agreement? Not really worth an argument, is it?
I am fine with you not agreeing with me, you will feel better if you do the same.
I've heard a couple mentions of resale value and I just wanted to add a couple thoughts.
- It's been reported that Apple developed this Ion-X glass independent of the iPhone, so it is quite likely that it's scratch resistance will greater than that of the iPhone 6; but we can at least it assume it will be equal to.
- In regards to resale value; I'd be more worried about the case itself, rather than the glass display. I, like many, have a Swiss made SS and Sapphire watch (either 316l or 906l) and unfortunately while the display is flawless, the case is covered in scratches, despite extreme caution. I only think the highly polished chrome-like design will exacerbate this problem. I took it to a jeweler for polishing and it didn't really help. (Plus, my kitchen sink uses 316l, not exactly premium)
- If the Sport uses 7000 series, that's even an upgrade on the already very scratch resistant 6000 series aluminum on the iPhone 6.
Bottom-line - get what you want because I think you will have to deal with scratches no matter what.
- It's been reported that Apple developed this Ion-X glass independent of the iPhone, so it is quite likely that it's scratch resistance will greater than that of the iPhone 6; but we can at least it assume it will be equal to.
- In regards to resale value; I'd be more worried about the case itself, rather than the glass display. I, like many, have a Swiss made SS and Sapphire watch (either 316l or 906l) and unfortunately while the display is flawless, the case is covered in scratches, despite extreme caution. I only think the highly polished chrome-like design will exacerbate this problem. I took it to a jeweler for polishing and it didn't really help. (Plus, my kitchen sink uses 316l, not exactly premium)
- If the Sport uses 7000 series, that's even an upgrade on the already very scratch resistant 6000 series aluminum on the iPhone 6.
Bottom-line - get what you want because I think you will have to deal with scratches no matter what.
Same here. The case and band are the only wear I get on my watch and they can be buffed out every year. The black metal band will not.
Both the steel and aluminum cases are going to be scratched to death. The question is, how does each look after being scratched. I find that, with the polished areas of my steel watches, they still shine and look fine from a distance, so you need to get close to see the scratches.
I'm not sure if the aluminum watch will be similar in that regard, especially the darker one, if the metal underneath starts showing through.
I'm not sure if the aluminum watch will be similar in that regard, especially the darker one, if the metal underneath starts showing through.
Not so sure about that. I don't think we've seen 7000 series aluminum on an Apple product yet. Despite that, my aluminum clad MBP and iPhone, subject to fairly rough wear and tear, don't have a single scratch.
I do agree, that the darker anodized aluminum will have to be tested. My black iPhone 5 did scratch, however it was only along the chamfered edges, the case itself was near invincible.
Watches are an entirely different ballgame than phones. I'm sitting here with a mechanical that I've only had a year, and there are little scratches ALL over the thing, outside of the sapphire.
Cost is a factor of consideration for me, but I certainly don't mind paying for the stainless if the benefits (long use, less scratches) are worth the cost.
However, unless some sort of upgrade program is announced, I think the lifecycle on these will be two or maybe three years. In that regard, I am fine with the aluminim. I don't think I'll get appreciable cosmetic blemishes in a 2-3 year period.
IF upgrades were possible (like the ability to switch out the processor and rear sensors), then I would definitely look more closely at the Stainless.
Since I am leaning toward the Sport, my question is whether the gray will be more susceptible to blemishes than the silver.
However, unless some sort of upgrade program is announced, I think the lifecycle on these will be two or maybe three years. In that regard, I am fine with the aluminim. I don't think I'll get appreciable cosmetic blemishes in a 2-3 year period.
IF upgrades were possible (like the ability to switch out the processor and rear sensors), then I would definitely look more closely at the Stainless.
Since I am leaning toward the Sport, my question is whether the gray will be more susceptible to blemishes than the silver.
I would get the silver as it will not show a different color when scratched while the grey will show a scratch big time.
I agree, but that brings up another wrinkle for me.
I want the black band, so I'd have to purchase it separately (since silver only comes with colored bands).
I agree, but that brings up another wrinkle for me.
I want the black band, so I'd have to purchase it separately (since silver only comes with colored bands).
To me the black with the black band would be killer as far as looks.
Something tells me that there will be a watch band aftermarket that will knock your socks off!
Hope you enjoy
Ditto....my daily driver is a Rolex Sub and not a scratch on the face.
My concern with the glass on the Sports Model wouldn't be scratching, but rather shattering.
We all seen way too many iPhones with shattered screens.
I will most likely get a Watch Collection because of that.
My concern with the glass on the Sports Model wouldn't be scratching, but rather shattering.
We all seen way too many iPhones with shattered screens.
I will most likely get a Watch Collection because of that.
I agree, but that brings up another wrinkle for me.
I want the black band, so I'd have to purchase it separately (since silver only comes with colored bands).
You could always hang out around the Apple Store waiting to trade with someone
.I will be going with the Grey/Black but would love a green or blue band. Plus, the sport comes with two bands (S/M and M/L).
You could always hang out around the Apple Store waiting to trade with someone
I will be going with the Grey/Black but would love a green or blue band. Plus, the sport comes with two bands (S/M and M/L).
The S/M and M/L are a separate part of the band. As in the top part will be either 38/42 and the bottom part will be the different sizes.
Forget about your iPhone 5! Apple has long moved on and now is using a totally different technology while coating the space gray products. Beginning with the 5S the coating issues of the iPhone 5 were solved.
The reality of it is... all the choices are scratch resistant not proof. buy what you want and show some caution within your environment to avoid damage. from what I read sapphire glass is more resistant to scratches and ionx is less breakable. I would rather scratch my lens then break it, as there may be a chance to polish the scratch out.