Stainless vs Aluminum - Why buy SS?

[Kavier]

I like watches too much to choose only one to wear everyday. I declined a works phone as I didn’t want to carry around two phones, if end up just leaving it on my desk. I don’t think any Apple Watch truly looks amazing with a suit to be honest, but that’s just me.

I wish I could have declined my work phone and just used my personal one. My company won't allow it due to the amount of confidential information that I access. Now, I get the joy of owning a company Windows phone.
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When I see an Apple Watch, I pay more attention to the band than I do the actual physical casing of the Apple Watch. I really do think you can make it look anyway you want based on the band, it just depends on how somebody carries themself. I'm partial to the Stainless model, mainly for the added Weight and Saphirre display over the aesthetics.

The band is definitely key to a more professional look. I really wanted to go with the black stainless steel watch but didn't like how all the leather bands had the regular stainless steel pins to attach to the watch.

 

[CG2382P]

I upgraded to a Series 3 SS Space Black from my Series 1 watch a few weeks ago but ended up downgrading to a SG aluminum model. Loved the higher quality feel, but I talked myself into downgrading to the aluminum space gray model to save on some cash. I'm now sort of regretting that decision, while I think the matte aluminum finish matches my style much more and I like that it's not as heavy, I'm constantly worried about scratching the screen.
I had several noticeable scratches on my Series 1 after 12 months of use, and while it didn't annoy me too much it would be nice to not have to worry about it.
Would Apple give me a hard time if I exchange this for another SB SS again? I'd feel like I was abusing their return policy but if they don't care I may consider doing it.

 

[Otflyer]

I upgraded to a Series 3 SS Space Black from my Series 1 watch a few weeks ago but ended up downgrading to a SG aluminum model. Loved the higher quality feel, but I talked myself into downgrading to the aluminum space gray model to save on some cash. I'm now sort of regretting that decision, while I think the matte aluminum finish matches my style much more and I like that it's not as heavy, I'm constantly worried about scratching the screen.
I had several noticeable scratches on my Series 1 after 12 months of use, and while it didn't annoy me too much it would be nice to not have to worry about it.
Would Apple give me a hard time if I exchange this for another SB SS again? I'd feel like I was abusing their return policy but if they don't care I may consider doing it.

As long as your still in the return period Apple doesn’t care how many times you exchange the watch.

 

[Mikeeee]

I upgraded to a Series 3 SS Space Black from my Series 1 watch a few weeks ago but ended up downgrading to a SG aluminum model. Loved the higher quality feel, but I talked myself into downgrading to the aluminum space gray model to save on some cash. I'm now sort of regretting that decision, while I think the matte aluminum finish matches my style much more and I like that it's not as heavy, I'm constantly worried about scratching the screen.
I had several noticeable scratches on my Series 1 after 12 months of use, and while it didn't annoy me too much it would be nice to not have to worry about it.
Would Apple give me a hard time if I exchange this for another SB SS again? I'd feel like I was abusing their return policy but if they don't care I may consider doing it.

I literally exchanged the watch 5 times before settling on my final watch. You're good to go.

 

[CG2382P]

As long as your still in the return period Apple doesn’t care how many times you exchange the watch.

I literally exchanged the watch 5 times before settling on my final watch. You're good to go.

Good to know.. thanks for making my decision a lot tougher! I was starting to just accept that I'll keep the SG model...
May make a trip to the apple store this week then.

 

[Srbell67]

Good to know.. thanks for making my decision a lot tougher! I was starting to just accept that I'll keep the SG model...
May make a trip to the apple store this week then.

Don’t feel bad for Apple at all and return away. Apple has over $300 BILLION of cash overseas and that’s just part of their overall assets. Lol

 

[mlody]

Personal opinion but I do not find the silver aluminum AW to be appealing at all even though the functionality is basically the same.

 

[44267547]

Personal opinion but I do not find the silver aluminum AW to be appealing at all even though the functionality if basically the same.

It's not basically, they are exactly the same watchOS for both the aluminum and stainless models.

 

[mlody]

It's not basically, they are exactly the same watchOS for both the aluminum and stainless models.

I agree the OS is the same, but functionality (not the OS functionality) is not the same as one is aluminium and the other one is stainless steel and they were designed with different targets in mind.
Aluminium was designed for sports and outdoors it seems, while stainless steel to be more, business focus, elegant, traditional and less utilitarian. It goes better with leather bands etc while aluminium pair nicely with colorful sports bands and less formal outfit.

 

[barjam]

I agree the OS is the same, but functionality (not the OS functionality) is not the same as one is aluminium and the other one is stainless steel and they were designed with different targets in mind.
Aluminium was designed for sports and outdoors it seems, while stainless steel to be more, business focus, elegant, traditional and less utilitarian. It goes better with leather bands etc while aluminium pair nicely with colorful sports bands and less formal outfit.

Which is interesting considering how fragile the aluminum watch is. I personally wouldn’t use the aluminum watch for outdoors/sports but do use the stainless for the same. The SS is bulletproof in my experience, I abuse that thing and the screen is flawless after two years. I even work on cars with it on!

Aluminum I tried was scratched in four days of light use

 

[JackieInCo]

Which is interesting considering how fragile the aluminum watch is. I personally wouldn’t use the aluminum watch for outdoors/sports but do use the stainless for the same. The SS is bulletproof in my experience, I abuse that thing and the screen is flawless after two years. I even work on cars with it on!

Aluminum I tried was scratched in four days of light use

I bought my silver aluminum S3 back on December 3rd and have been wearing it to work many times since then. It's been banged around and yesterday, I even dragged the face across something and it is still spotless. I also have a a S3 Nike + and a S3 SS. all of them are perfect condition.

I keep hearing these stories of people denting and scratching their aluminum watches and I always wonder how that's possible.

I still have my three series 2 watches that I wear occasionally and all three of them are in perfect condition today. I even had my seatbelt buckle release and hit the glass on all of those last summer and there is not one scratch on them. I swear the glass on those watches is tougher then anyone realizes.

 

[barjam]

I bought my silver aluminum S3 back on December 3rd and have been wearing it to work many times since then. It's been banged around and yesterday, I even dragged the face across something and it is still spotless. I also have a a S3 Nike + and a S3 SS. all of them are perfect condition.

I keep hearing these stories of people denting and scratching their aluminum watches and I always wonder how that's possible.

I still have my three series 2 watches that I wear occasionally and all three of them are in perfect condition today. I even had my seatbelt buckle release and hit the glass on all of those last summer and there is not one scratch on them. I swear the glass on those watches is tougher then anyone realizes.

With the screen off, shine a light on it. If you don't have a ton of micro scratches I would be amazed. Perhaps that is being nitpicky but I hate those scratches. To contrast my two year old S0 has zero.

I picked my scratches on day three of ownership on the aluminum by lightly brushing up against a sheetrock wall...

 

[JackieInCo]

With the screen off, shine a light on it. If you don't have a ton of micro scratches I would be amazed. Perhaps that is being nitpicky but I hate those scratches. To contrast my two year old S0 has zero.

I picked my scratches on day three of ownership on the aluminum by lightly brushing up against a sheetrock wall...

I've shined a light on the display on all these watches and there are no micro scratches. As I said, i amazed at how tough the displays are.

 

[CG2382P]

With the screen off, shine a light on it. If you don't have a ton of micro scratches I would be amazed. Perhaps that is being nitpicky but I hate those scratches. To contrast my two year old S0 has zero.

I picked my scratches on day three of ownership on the aluminum by lightly brushing up against a sheetrock wall...

Yeah my Series 1 aluminum that I wore for a year had a decent amount of scratches , I’ve attached a pic. The body itself was fine but the screen and the composite back had visible wear.

That's why I'm strongly considering going to the stainless space black model this time around. I've got both an Stainless and an aluminum right now, and I'm going to return one. Trying to decide which

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Which is interesting considering how fragile the aluminum watch is. I personally wouldn’t use the aluminum watch for outdoors/sports but do use the stainless for the same. The SS is bulletproof in my experience, I abuse that thing and the screen is flawless after two years. I even work on cars with it on!

Aluminum I tried was scratched in four days of light use

The aluminium Watch isn’t fragile, that nonsense was put to bed some time ago. Unless you are scraping the face down brick walls or bashing it into door frames you’ll have no problems just like the experiences shared here.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I bought my silver aluminum S3 back on December 3rd and have been wearing it to work many times since then. It's been banged around and yesterday, I even dragged the face across something and it is still spotless. I also have a a S3 Nike + and a S3 SS. all of them are perfect condition.

I keep hearing these stories of people denting and scratching their aluminum watches and I always wonder how that's possible.

I still have my three series 2 watches that I wear occasionally and all three of them are in perfect condition today. I even had my seatbelt buckle release and hit the glass on all of those last summer and there is not one scratch on them. I swear the glass on those watches is tougher then anyone realizes.

My S2 Gold Alu AW is a year old exactly, worn hundreds of times and spotless too. I’ve rubbed it against painted walls, my daughter pulled it off my wrist and it’s landed on a wood floor and I still can’t see a single scratch on the screen.

If it does get a few light scratches then so what? It’s a throwaway gadget, not an investment.

 

[Otflyer]

Yeah my Series 1 aluminum that I wore for a year had a decent amount of scratches , I’ve attached a pic. The body itself was fine but the screen and the composite back had visible wear.

That's why I'm strongly considering going to the stainless space black model this time around. I've got both an Stainless and an aluminum right now, and I'm going to return one. Trying to decide which

Speaking from experience, you will be sorry if you return the SS. I had an SS S0 and bought the SG S3. I returned it and got the SS S3 as I couldn’t give up the SS. Aside from the durability aspect, it’s just more aesthetically pleasing.

 

[CG2382P]

Speaking from experience, you will be sorry if you return the SS. I had an SS S0 and bought the SG S3. I returned it and got the SS S3 as I couldn’t give up the SS. Aside from the durability aspect, it’s just more aesthetically pleasing.

Forgetting price, since I can afford the SBSS it's just a matter of if I *want* to - I think the matte color of the SG aluminum fits my style a bit more (casual), as I'm not typically too flashy. I think that's the issue I'm having is adjusting to the shiny aspect of the SBSS. I'm trying to wear the SBSS for a few days and see if it's just different and I'll get used to it. I think it looks amazing though.
What keeps holding me up is also the fact that I know I'll upgrade to the Series 4 when it comes out (got to have the latest!) but if I scratch this thing next week I don't want to stare at a scratch until then.

 

[Frankfurt]

Just my 5c given this is YMMV decision:
I replaced my SS SB Series 0 with a SG Alum Nike 4 months ago. I am wearing the SB link bracelet from the Series 0 with the Series 3, which gives it basically the same elegant look (only nerds will tell the difference between them on the wrist).
The SP Alum has held up to date without any scratches or scuffs.
I would buy the SG Alum version again.

 

[44267547]

I agree the OS is the same, but functionality (not the OS functionality) is not the same as one is aluminium and the other one is stainless steel and they were designed with different targets in mind.

Not really. The aluminum and stainless are the exact same watches with the exception of the sapphire display and stainless casing. It's merely the user just choosing a Watch based on aesthetics and a much more scratch resistant display. The watch is a fairly universal device that can be used just as much for any other physical activity, it doesn't matter if it's aluminum or stainless. Both Watches can be used with any type of band that the users see's fit.

Aluminium was designed for sports and outdoors it seems, while stainless steel to be more, business focus, elegant, traditional and less utilitarian. It goes better with leather bands etc while aluminium pair nicely with colorful sports bands and less formal outfit.

The aluminum was certainly designed for fitness capabilities because it's lightweight, but if you read through these threads, there are dozens of members who exercise with the stainless models just as much as they would with the aluminum model. It doesn't make a difference, it's just what one prefers in the materials used and the sapphire display. But I do agree that the bands pair nicely with the stainless model with almost any band.

 

[richard371]

Also you get 16gb ram for the SS and 8 for the AL. That, the sapphire and SS is worth the upgrade.

 

[CG2382P]

Also you get 16gb ram for the SS and 8 for the AL. That, the sapphire and SS is worth the upgrade.

16GB is for all LTE models, SS or Aluminum.

 

[Srbell67]

16GB is for all LTE models, SS or Aluminum.

If one streams music, why is storage space needed at all?

 

[Otflyer]

If one streams music, why is storage space needed at all?

Because, everyone who has an S3 LTE watch doesn’t subscribe to Apple Music or even enable LTE on their watch. Me included. I have playlists loaded on my watch although I believe music on the watch is limited so even 8GB’s would be sufficient for playlists. I haven’t researched how 16GB it that much more beneficial than 8GB on the watch. Are there apps that the extra storage is needed? Maybe someone can enlighten me.

 

[Srbell67]

Because, everyone who has an S3 LTE watch doesn’t subscribe to Apple Music or even enable LTE on their watch. Me included. I have playlists loaded on my watch.

Where did you get playlists from??