Should I pay to repair an Apple Watch 4 or buy a new SE?

[firehawk12]

I'm hoping to get some advice or just a second opinion.

I have a Stainless Steel Series 4 that seems to have died (I won't turn on again. I noticed that the screen is cracked after the fact, so I'm not sure if using it while it was in this state made things worse). I see that the repair cost is about 560 bucks (Canadian).

I see that the equivalent SE is about 400 here, except that they're aluminum.

I guess my question is - does it make sense to repair my stainless steel series 4? I do like it quite a bit, although I guess the sapphire durability is a bit overrated. But I'd be paying so much more to repair the watch vs buying a brand new SE.

I've never handled or used the aluminum version of the watch, so I don't know if it's necessarily a downgrade. There is just a part of me that thinks it's a bit silly to pay more for a refurbished watch vs buying a new watch, even if it's the difference in materials. I also don't use the LTE feature at all, so that's not a factor for me.

I suppose a third option would be to buy a new Stainless Steel Series 7 and using what I would pay for the repair to go toward a big splurge purchase, but that might be more of an out there option than not.

Cheers!

 

[Brien]

Try the Alu version on first. They’re too light for my tastes.

Could you swing a new SS S7?

 

[throAU]

I've had aluminium watches (S2, S4) and have been happy with them. Haven't had any durability issues, and my S4 is still scratch free on the glass.

The S2 ended up with a crack on the corner but I think that was actually a defect (seems it was a common s2 thing), unrelated to handling of it.

 

[JBinPDX]

I have an aluminum Series 7, and I really like it. I like the lighter weight and the color. I traded an SE in for the 7. I liked the SE also, but I wanted the larger screen on the 7, and the health sensors that weren't available on the SE.

Another choice to consider is buying a refurbished SS Series 6 directly from Apple. It would be more than the SE, but less than a 7 and you might be able to get SS. (I'm in the USA so sorry if Apple refurbs are not available in Canada.)

If it were me, I would not repair the 4. I think it makes more sense to buy a newer watch with more up-to-date innards, and plan on keeping it for several years.

 

[firehawk12]

Unfortunately they don't sell refurb watches in Canada (for whatever reason), but I did find a retailer selling new SS Series 6 for somewhat of a discount (300 dollars than the Series 7 equivalent) that I may end up getting as a compromise.

The SE is a bit tempting though, since it seems spec equivalent and cheaper, but I feel like the SS 6 may be a good compromise.

Well, even though it sucks buying a new watch after 2 years... but that's a whole other story I guess. lol

 

[Brien]

SE doesn’t have always-on display. It’s effectively a S4.

 

[firehawk12]

SE doesn’t have always-on display. It’s effectively a S4.

Yeah, I should have been more specific - that's why I would consider it more as a replacement for my broken S4 because it would be a sidegrade (outside of switching from stainless steel to aluminum).

I think if I had a broken S5 or S6, it would be a much harder choice for me (or perhaps easier as I would likely bite the bullet and get the S7).

 

[Brien]

Just get the S6. If you’re used to SS it will be a downgrade in my opinion.

 

[ssledoux]

I'd definitely go with a series 6 over SE whether you were going SS or aluminum. The always on display is nice, and the 6 will have more features than the SE.

However, I would likely (although you can take this with a grain of salt because I usually buy aluminum anyway) go for a series 7 aluminum, because I think having a bigger screen in addition to the always on display AND all the additional features, would be a nice upgrade, and great tradeoff if you're giving up the stainless.

 

[Monkswhiskers]

Seems a lot to repair your SS4, plus the battery will be quite tired now also. There are a couple of advantages with the alu, stronger haptics and slightly less milky screen in outdoor light. The main advantage with SS is of course the sapphire screen.

 

[firehawk12]

I ended up going with a Series 6 that I found, even though it hurt the wallet a bit. lol
Definitely buying AppleCare this time, knowing that it's basically all or nothing when it comes to repairs...

 

[randywsandberg]

Hmm, well, I have a S4 aluminum Apple Watch that is in great shape. No cracks, scratches, or anything else and plan to use it until it is no longer usable. Same with my original SE iPhone which I also love. If my watch died today, I guess I'd be in your boat. And would have to make some kind of decision. I have no idea what difference stainless steel makes over aluminum but I would miss certain lacking features on the SE such as the ECG app which has saved my butt several times. Plus, I'd love for my next watch to have an always on display. So, if it were me I'd probably buy an aluminum S7 Apple Watch.

P.S., I wrote the above before reading your last comment. The S6 sounds perfect and if available I too would have gone that way. Congrats!!!