Keep in mind that Sapphire, while extremely scratch resistant, shatters much easier than Ion X glass, which I assume is comparable to gorilla glass 4. For scratch resistance, Sapphire will win; for shatter resistance, Ion X will win.
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Sapphire vs. ion-x glass.. Will the sport watch scratch?
- Thread starter Afluffykitten
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Keep in mind that Sapphire, while extremely scratch resistant, shatters much easier than Ion X glass, which I assume is comparable to gorilla glass 4. For scratch resistance, Sapphire will win; for shatter resistance, Ion X will win.
We'll still have to see how shatter-prone the front crystal is of either Watch, but it's perhaps worth pointing out that the crystal is quite exposed on Apple's design, sitting naked and vulnerable as one might describe it, on top with no protection. On most watches, the crystal is surrounded by the casing itself. This could affect scratch/shatter-proneness; not so much perhaps if the Watch is dropped (because how often do you drop a watch, seriously?), but rather if banging into things.
*shrug*
Rampant speculation is really fun, isn't it?
I have a Pebble Steel with Gorilla Glass and I do NOT baby it. I sleep with it, work while wearing it, bang it into things...no scratch on the glass. I think you would have to wear the Apple Watch Sport pretty hard to worry about scratching the glass.
For anyone still reading this thread:
Apple Watch Sapphire Scratch Test
This was just released by a UK company called iPhoneFixed claiming they got their hands on a replacement sapphire glass for the Apple Watch. They ran all kinds of torture tests on it and it came out looking new (including a drill!). There's a video in the link above.
I have both the Space Grey Sport and the SS Milanese on order for the 24th with the idea that I would sell one to help pay for the other. Before seeing this I was going to keep the Sport (being a first gen Apple product - keep it cheap), but now, I'm not so sure... I hate imperfections on my tech!
Apple Watch Sapphire Scratch Test
This was just released by a UK company called iPhoneFixed claiming they got their hands on a replacement sapphire glass for the Apple Watch. They ran all kinds of torture tests on it and it came out looking new (including a drill!). There's a video in the link above.
I have both the Space Grey Sport and the SS Milanese on order for the 24th with the idea that I would sell one to help pay for the other. Before seeing this I was going to keep the Sport (being a first gen Apple product - keep it cheap), but now, I'm not so sure... I hate imperfections on my tech!
Interesting, although I'm not sure how they could have got their hands on a replacement sapphire glass but hey anything is possible. I'm really excited about the durability if this is true!
I scratched the crystal on my Rolex, they're tough, but they can definitely be scratched... Am sort of hard on watches
And my iPhone 6 Plus has a hairline scratch running al the way across the camera lens (also sapphire). Still went with a SS, but the sapphire definitely can scratch.
I laugh my butt off every time I see something like this..... in relation to iPhone screen protectors as well..... "0.6mm will add so much weight to your phone, that's why I bought the 0.4mm one".....
Do you honestly believe because you have a SS watch on your wrist you'll get more tired or more of a work-out with that arm? FFS you're WORKING OUT!!!
Every one is making comments on the ion-x glass but know squat about it so let's all wait until it hits the public's hands before we go crazy about it.
I used to work in a bike shop, people would be talking about shaving ounces from their bikes for a ton of $, I'd look at them and realize they were 30 lbs overweight and shake my head
I have been wearing and collecting watches for decades and my experience is Sapphire will NOT scratch and other materials WILL scratch.
Its really that simple
Stainless Steel Bracelets and the SS Case in time will also scratch no matter how carefully you are, especially the clasp. I can live with that because I have no choice but the screen has to be Sapphire for me.
Its really that simple
Stainless Steel Bracelets and the SS Case in time will also scratch no matter how carefully you are, especially the clasp. I can live with that because I have no choice but the screen has to be Sapphire for me.
I have been wearing and collecting watches for decades and my experience is Sapphire will NOT scratch and other materials WILL scratch.
Its really that simple
Stainless Steel Bracelets and the SS Case in time will also scratch no matter how carefully you are, especially the clasp. I can live with that because I have no choice but the screen has to be Sapphire for me.
Tell that to my pebble steel, which doesn't have sapphire glass. It has zero scratches, despite not being treated very carefully.
Please keep your blanket statements to yourself.
Anecdotal evidence is anecdotal.Its really that simple
So yeah, it really isn't that simple...
But my iPhone 6plus has a hairline scratch within a couple weeks and I thought I was very careful. My previous iPhones never had a scratch. I think it depends on many things incl the specific glass and the environmental exposure. But because of my iPhone experience, I went with sapphire as I was afraid the ion would be same as my iPhone.
Just canceled my Pebble Time order...
Same as you. When they asked for 38 more for taxes it was too much. Especialy when I already have a Steel and that I will ultimately get an Apple Watch someday.
I may go for a regular shield, as the watch has almost the same curved screen as the iPhone 6.
I don't mind glass on my iPhone but I do mind how it looks on something I'm going to wear.
"Composite" doesn't mean "breakable"
"Composite" just means synthetic. Polymers can be as hard as steel without the excessive weight. A great example is the Glock pistol which has become the gold standard for quality around the world over the last 25 years. It's entire frame is made of "polymer" which is incredibly durable. They never break. You can't tell them from steel. If Apple is not using metal for the back of the Watch Sport, I wouldn't have the slightest qualm. Chances are high that it will be as strong or stronger than steel while allowing the watch to be lighter. It's almost certainly stronger than aluminum.
What I'd have to look out for is the rear of the sport version. It has a plastic (Apple calls it "composite") back; if it feels too plasticy I may have to go steel anyway; it has a ceramic and sapphire back. Also, the extra heft of the steel Watch might be a gamechanger. I like things that feel nice and solid. Black plastic dot be damned!
"Composite" just means synthetic. Polymers can be as hard as steel without the excessive weight. A great example is the Glock pistol which has become the gold standard for quality around the world over the last 25 years. It's entire frame is made of "polymer" which is incredibly durable. They never break. You can't tell them from steel. If Apple is not using metal for the back of the Watch Sport, I wouldn't have the slightest qualm. Chances are high that it will be as strong or stronger than steel while allowing the watch to be lighter. It's almost certainly stronger than aluminum.
Do you remember how you did that? From what we've seen so far, people have tried to do it and failed.
LoL..... If you're a world class racer by all means shave every oz off but for the fatties trying to do it.... I bet they were your favorite customer!
Watch the scratch test on the consumer reports website.
They tested both versions according to the mose hardness scale.
The sapphire rated a 9/10, right under diamond.
The ion-x rated a 8/10. It will handle just about anything a typical person would throw at it.
The SS versions casing I herd easily gets micro scratches that can be buffed out with SS Polish.
Haven't herd much about the resilience of the aluminum yet.
They tested both versions according to the mose hardness scale.
The sapphire rated a 9/10, right under diamond.
The ion-x rated a 8/10. It will handle just about anything a typical person would throw at it.
The SS versions casing I herd easily gets micro scratches that can be buffed out with SS Polish.
Haven't herd much about the resilience of the aluminum yet.
The issue of dropping Watch with increased weight is a problem.If you are fit and "working out" and are going to struggle with that extra 20 g weighing your arm down to the ground, I worry you need to work out a bit harder there!
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OMG, Will barely be able to get your wrist off the ground in the gym with all that weight on it!
Dropping an aluminum with ion-x(more shatter proof than sapphire)has a good survival rate.
Yes,expensive watches use sapphire,but most are extremely water proof and have crystals up to 4mm thick to deal with water pressure,not so with Apple Watch.
the other issue to consider is that the Sapphire screen is darker than the glass screen. makes a difference in bright sun light using dark sun glasses....