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Stainless Steel 8 or Aluminum 8
- Thread starter fdw777
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The Aluminum is most certainly the cheaper option and maintains all of the same functions. The glass is going to be Ion-X, which is more scratch prone when compared to the sapphire glass on the stainless steel models.
Ultimately it comes down to a few things:
1) How much do you want to spend?
2) Do you want the Stainless Steel metal and the Sapphire Glass?
I say those two things because ultimately, those are the differences between the models.
If you do not necessarily have a budget, as in money is not an issue, then I’d recommend the stainless steel model since it has the sapphire glass. If you are wanting a more budget friendly model, then the aluminum is great and you do not lose out on any features.
Ultimately it comes down to a few things:
1) How much do you want to spend?
2) Do you want the Stainless Steel metal and the Sapphire Glass?
I say those two things because ultimately, those are the differences between the models.
If you do not necessarily have a budget, as in money is not an issue, then I’d recommend the stainless steel model since it has the sapphire glass. If you are wanting a more budget friendly model, then the aluminum is great and you do not lose out on any features.
The experience of owning the sapphire/stainless is a premium one. I’d say it’s the one if money isn’t an issue. But resale could be better lol!
I made the SS choice from the beginning and have never regretted that personally. Very durable and beautiful. Some comment on the weight but when you pair them with a lighter band such as Sport, there’s actually little difference from aluminum IMO.
I made the SS choice from the beginning and have never regretted that personally. Very durable and beautiful. Some comment on the weight but when you pair them with a lighter band such as Sport, there’s actually little difference from aluminum IMO.
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I would prefer Aluminum if the glass wasn't so easily scratched. I'm always banging my watch into walls or things and choose to go stainless steel because of the durability of the sapphire screen. It's still scratch free after all these years.
There is a reason high end watches are SS and sapphire
Some are Ti, some gold, but I can’t think of a single high end watch that’s aluminum
Some are Ti, some gold, but I can’t think of a single high end watch that’s aluminum
Agree. And depending on what color you want.The Aluminum is most certainly the cheaper option and maintains all of the same functions. The glass is going to be Ion-X, which is more scratch prone when compared to the sapphire glass on the stainless steel models.
Ultimately it comes down to a few things:
1) How much do you want to spend?
2) Do you want the Stainless Steel metal and the Sapphire Glass?
I say those two things because ultimately, those are the differences between the models.
If you do not necessarily have a budget, as in money is not an issue, then I’d recommend the stainless steel model since it has the sapphire glass. If you are wanting a more budget friendly model, then the aluminum is great and you do not lose out on any features.
We chose SS as it is more durable and looks/pairs better with more bands. We also don't care for the latest and greatest each year and are not the type of people who jump on new models yearly.
Our experience with Apple Watch started with Series 1 aluminum, but it was short-lived as we both didn't like the look and feel of aluminum. I returned mine within the 14-day return window, while my wife kept using her for a few months. Only after a few months her watch looked like it had gone through some hell - it had tons of scratches and some dents in the chassis! It didn't look good, actually.
Shortly after Apple released series 3, my wife sold her S1 aluminum, and we both picked up S2 stainless steel on sale. I went with 42mm, and she with 38mm, and we never looked back. Since then, I upgraded to SS S4 when I saw them on sale for half price and gave my S2 SS to our daughter. My wife kept using her S2 SS till it randomly died. Unfortunately, I could not find any good deals on SS, so I went to Apple Store and paid full price for her S6 SS.
We still have both of them. I decided to pay Apple for battery replacement, which in the case of SS model, was well worth it, as my S4 still serves me well as I am not finding any of the new features enticing enough to upgrade. Unless Apple comes up with radical changes to the Apple Watch regarding functionality or features, I don't see us upgrading for several more years.
Our experience with Apple Watch started with Series 1 aluminum, but it was short-lived as we both didn't like the look and feel of aluminum. I returned mine within the 14-day return window, while my wife kept using her for a few months. Only after a few months her watch looked like it had gone through some hell - it had tons of scratches and some dents in the chassis! It didn't look good, actually.
Shortly after Apple released series 3, my wife sold her S1 aluminum, and we both picked up S2 stainless steel on sale. I went with 42mm, and she with 38mm, and we never looked back. Since then, I upgraded to SS S4 when I saw them on sale for half price and gave my S2 SS to our daughter. My wife kept using her S2 SS till it randomly died. Unfortunately, I could not find any good deals on SS, so I went to Apple Store and paid full price for her S6 SS.
We still have both of them. I decided to pay Apple for battery replacement, which in the case of SS model, was well worth it, as my S4 still serves me well as I am not finding any of the new features enticing enough to upgrade. Unless Apple comes up with radical changes to the Apple Watch regarding functionality or features, I don't see us upgrading for several more years.
If you're careful,
- An aluminum body should fair ok with daily use, but the screen will get scratched (eventually).
- A SS body will get scratched with daily use, but the screen should be nearly perfect for the life of the watch.
The aluminum is brushed and if scratches are there, they're hard to see as a result of the brushed finish. Dents, which can happen, are (obviously) more obvious, but you really have to work for that to happen. If you're careful, I doubt you'll dent it. I've not dented either one of my two aluminum watches (og and v4), but my wife managed to dent one of them (v3). All three screens, however, have multiple scratches, and I for one, am extremely cautious with my watches. Your aluminum bodied watch will have screen scratches at some point.
The SS is polished, and scratches will be more apparent as a result of the polished finish, a la traditional watches or stainless rings, water bottles, coffee cups, grills, tables, fridges, stoves, etc. You may be able to buff the scratches out, as many with a SS watch have done, but that does take a bit of polisher, a rag, and some effort. I have owned a SS (v6) that I bought it used, and it came pretty heavily scratched. I took some polisher and a rag, and got most of them out, but you can still see several, especially in certain areas. Scratches on a SS watch body will happen at some point. The screen, however, is 100% perfect.
To the OP, do you want a nearly perfect watch body with screen scratches -OR- scratched body with no screen scratches. That's your deciding factor if money isn't a concern.
Purchased the SS 45mm S8 w/Sky Blue band for my wife and she loves it.
One weird thing...we were at the Apple store to set it up and the watch was completely dead 0 battery. After 30 minutes of fast charging with still no Apple logo or set-up screen, I told the setup people that this watch must be DOA. They said that normally the Stainless Steel watches are dead because they don't sell very well and the battery just depletes. Another 15 minutes passed by and with 0 charge still I requested a replacement.
They brought out a replacement and again the watch was dead 0 charge, this time after 45 minutes of fast charging using a MBP charger and 0 charge the tech came and got the watch and charger and brought it to a more genius Genius...I suppose. When he came back the watch was ready for setup and had about 40% charge. I ask what was done, he was a little hesitant to reveal what they did...He said that the tech held both buttons on the watch for a few seconds and while holding the (lower) button and releasing the crown button it forced the watch to restart (I guess) and said that we should not do this unless directed to by an Apple technician. All kinda weird but the watch appears to be fine now and as I stated earlier my wife loves it. Yes, we did buy AppleCare+.
One weird thing...we were at the Apple store to set it up and the watch was completely dead 0 battery. After 30 minutes of fast charging with still no Apple logo or set-up screen, I told the setup people that this watch must be DOA. They said that normally the Stainless Steel watches are dead because they don't sell very well and the battery just depletes. Another 15 minutes passed by and with 0 charge still I requested a replacement.
They brought out a replacement and again the watch was dead 0 charge, this time after 45 minutes of fast charging using a MBP charger and 0 charge the tech came and got the watch and charger and brought it to a more genius Genius...I suppose. When he came back the watch was ready for setup and had about 40% charge. I ask what was done, he was a little hesitant to reveal what they did...He said that the tech held both buttons on the watch for a few seconds and while holding the (lower) button and releasing the crown button it forced the watch to restart (I guess) and said that we should not do this unless directed to by an Apple technician. All kinda weird but the watch appears to be fine now and as I stated earlier my wife loves it. Yes, we did buy AppleCare+.
It's beautiful. Great choice!Purchased the SS 45mm S8 w/Sky Blue band for my wife and she loves it.
I’ve had this happen to my series 7 & 8 if I ever let the battery die completely. It will start up that same way. It just takes a while on the charger to come back to normal. I think it has more to do with watchOS 9.Purchased the SS 45mm S8 w/Sky Blue band for my wife and she loves it.
One weird thing...we were at the Apple store to set it up and the watch was completely dead 0 battery. After 30 minutes of fast charging with still no Apple logo or set-up screen, I told the setup people that this watch must be DOA. They said that normally the Stainless Steel watches are dead because they don't sell very well and the battery just depletes. Another 15 minutes passed by and with 0 charge still I requested a replacement.
They brought out a replacement and again the watch was dead 0 charge, this time after 45 minutes of fast charging using a MBP charger and 0 charge the tech came and got the watch and charger and brought it to a more genius Genius...I suppose. When he came back the watch was ready for setup and had about 40% charge. I ask what was done, he was a little hesitant to reveal what they did...He said that the tech held both buttons on the watch for a few seconds and while holding the (lower) button and releasing the crown button it forced the watch to restart (I guess) and said that we should not do this unless directed to by an Apple technician. All kinda weird but the watch appears to be fine now and as I stated earlier my wife loves it. Yes, we did buy AppleCare+.
Strange that he said the stainless steel doesn’t sell often. Everyone in my immediate circle has one over the aluminum. Must be a demographics thing.
I had a SS S2 and S4. I loved the look of it, that it matched all my bands, and that I could dress it up more easily. When I bought my S8 I ultimately decided to go aluminum. I was nervous about scratches on the screen but I haven't had any issues. I don't change bands often these days and I find I wear my regular watch if I truly want a dressier watch. I had trouble justifying continuing to buy SS watches personally, but it's really a matter of: 1) your preference materials wise; 2) if you feel the cost is justifiable (how often you upgrade and how you use the watch will likely contribute to this answer)
I started with a SS Watch then switched to Aluminum. I found the SS Watch to be too heavy. The Aluminum watch is so light I barely know it is there. It depends on which experience you like. Some people like the feel of a heavy watch. To me it was a distraction.
I haven’t had any problems with scratches. The current watch is about 18 months old.
Part of my thinking was that with a cheaper Watch I didn’t care if it scratched or dented, I could just buy a new one. I‘ve had two Aluminum Watches now. I just bought the newer one because I wanted the oxygen sensor. I gave the old one to my son.
You can drop by an Apple Store and try them out.
I haven’t had any problems with scratches. The current watch is about 18 months old.
Part of my thinking was that with a cheaper Watch I didn’t care if it scratched or dented, I could just buy a new one. I‘ve had two Aluminum Watches now. I just bought the newer one because I wanted the oxygen sensor. I gave the old one to my son.
You can drop by an Apple Store and try them out.
SS / Ti resale is WORSE actually. Apple Watch resale in general is horrible but it seems people willing to pay a premium for a cosmetic difference like SS are the same people uninterested in buying used something that is worn on the body.
I didn't look at it for the last year I admit, but for YEARS I followed this and you saw a much steeper depreciation presentation for SS and higher models, Aluminum always held their value the best. Update: I just looked at current values, stainless steel is worth barely more OR THE SAME in some cases as the Aluminum version with trade in value both with Apple AND 3rd party companies for the identical models. It isn't even close as I stated.