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Stick with Sport or go with SS for S3?
- Thread starter JerTheGeek
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That crossed my mind but if I'm going to keep it for a couple of years again, then I'd rather go for the S3 and be done with it. Silver aluminium with Seashell Sport Loop I think.
I’m thinking about the same one. I kinda like the Space Gray with Sport Loop as well but not quite sure how the SG will pair with my existing bands.
I have a series 0 in aluminum. The screen is still pristine (I did baby it for the first year with a cover); I also don't recall lots of discussions here about glass screens all scratched up and no longer usable. But the series 0 internals are getting slow and out of date, and so in the life span of an apple watch, you will probably want to update the watch parts before you wear out the screen. So get the sapphire if you have the money.
If we could update the internals in the watch or just replace them, getting the SS with sapphire would be a no brainer for most of us; but no indication at all that is going to happen.
I think I've narrowed it down:
Spoil myself: 42mm SS Series 3-hold for 2 years+
Semi Spoil: Refurb SS Series 2-sell next year
Practical/Realist-Series 3 Nike Sport 42mm-Space Gray
Swing of about $250-$300 between choices it seems.
Seriously why am I worrying about resale!!?
Having the same dilemma as well. My only concern was incurring damage while doing workouts whether it’s at the gym or outdoors. I figured I’d splurge on the SS this time around and keep my launch S0 for exercise since activity rings sync across both watches.
My space grey watch doesn’t really work with the semi formal clothing I wear on a daily basis.
My space grey watch doesn’t really work with the semi formal clothing I wear on a daily basis.
If I'm not mistaken, you get that with GPS + Cellular. Material is irrelevant.
Wow ok didn't know that. I've always had the aluminium models (S0 and S2) and I'm thinking of a stainless steel S3.
Current options
- Do nothing: Keep my Nike S2 space gray aluminium and forget about upgrading.
- Semi spoil - Get a S3 stainless steel (what's with Apple only selling this with a white sports band or milanese loop? I want a leather band!)
- Completely spoil - Get a S3 Hermes SS
Ugh I need to make up my mind before I go to bed....alarm set for 2:50 (on Apple Watch of course 
) to preorder on VZW.
I’m leaning towards the regular stainless. I just love the look of it. But I still keep thinking that there’s that shattering possibility with the sapphire......probably just being OCD about it
Of course Space Black stainless steel looks absolutely amazing as well, there’s the band pairing issue though, I have the silver milanese and know it wouldn’t look as good on the SB, same goes for white sport band and pearl nylon (actually don’t wear those 2 all that much though so...)
If not the stainless, I think the Space Gray aluminum looks a bit nicer than the silver aluminum. But again, just like with the SB SS, doesn’t look as good with my existing bands.
Hmmm decisions decisions
) to preorder on VZW. I’m leaning towards the regular stainless. I just love the look of it. But I still keep thinking that there’s that shattering possibility with the sapphire......probably just being OCD about it
Of course Space Black stainless steel looks absolutely amazing as well, there’s the band pairing issue though, I have the silver milanese and know it wouldn’t look as good on the SB, same goes for white sport band and pearl nylon (actually don’t wear those 2 all that much though so...)
If not the stainless, I think the Space Gray aluminum looks a bit nicer than the silver aluminum. But again, just like with the SB SS, doesn’t look as good with my existing bands.
Hmmm decisions decisions
Ugh I need to make up my mind before I go to bed....alarm set for 2:50 (on Apple Watch of course
I’m leaning towards the regular stainless. I just love the look of it. But I still keep thinking that there’s that shattering possibility with the sapphire......probably just being OCD about it
Of course Space Black stainless steel looks absolutely amazing as well, there’s the band pairing issue though, I have the silver milanese and know it wouldn’t look as good on the SB, same goes for white sport band and pearl nylon (actually don’t wear those 2 all that much though so...)
If not the stainless, I think the Space Gray aluminum looks a bit nicer than the silver aluminum. But again, just like with the SB SS, doesn’t look as good with my existing bands.
Hmmm decisions decisions
I'm sure your decision has already been made by now. But, I would suggest the regular stainless, I do like the 316 L stainless high shine and the Sapphire display is almost impervious to scratches. As for shattering, that would be literally if you dropped it on a hard surface and a certain angle for it to happen. And scratches can be easily buffed out of the stainless as well.
Ugh I need to make up my mind before I go to bed....alarm set for 2:50 (on Apple Watch of course
I’m leaning towards the regular stainless. I just love the look of it. But I still keep thinking that there’s that shattering possibility with the sapphire......probably just being OCD about it
Of course Space Black stainless steel looks absolutely amazing as well, there’s the band pairing issue though, I have the silver milanese and know it wouldn’t look as good on the SB, same goes for white sport band and pearl nylon (actually don’t wear those 2 all that much though so...)
If not the stainless, I think the Space Gray aluminum looks a bit nicer than the silver aluminum. But again, just like with the SB SS, doesn’t look as good with my existing bands.
Hmmm decisions decisions
If it helps, I've had the stainless steel series 0 since launch day 2015. I've bumped the watch numerous times into door frames, railings etc. The screen looks as good as it did on day 1. You'll be fine, it would need a very hard impact to shatter the sapphire.
Thanks for all the advice everyone, I just ordered a SS with soft white sport band from VZW. Also ordered a Flash Sport Loop, which I think will look amazing on the SS. I’m excited cause this will be a significant upgrade from my aluminum now!
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I got an silver aluminum one when the watches were first released, as I didn't know if I'd use it or not. I used it a lot, so I went silver stainless on the next series, so I've had both.
I'm back to aluminum this time.
The SS is noticeably heavier, but I got used to that. However, the difference in weight was just enough to make it fit slightly differently on top of my wrist. Could be the configuration of my wrist, but it's not as comfortable as the aluminum for me. I keep fiddling with it several times a day, which I never did with the first watch. And it has tiny scratches. My aluminum one had no scratches what so ever, even though I got it on the first delivery day possible and wore it everyday all day long. I realize you can polish out some of the scratches out on the SS, but that never was an issue with the aluminum.
I like the looks of both - with a slight edge to the SS. But I thought the aluminum looked nicer in person than what you see in photos.
I'm back to aluminum this time.
The SS is noticeably heavier, but I got used to that. However, the difference in weight was just enough to make it fit slightly differently on top of my wrist. Could be the configuration of my wrist, but it's not as comfortable as the aluminum for me. I keep fiddling with it several times a day, which I never did with the first watch. And it has tiny scratches. My aluminum one had no scratches what so ever, even though I got it on the first delivery day possible and wore it everyday all day long. I realize you can polish out some of the scratches out on the SS, but that never was an issue with the aluminum.
I like the looks of both - with a slight edge to the SS. But I thought the aluminum looked nicer in person than what you see in photos.
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I have a launch day Series 0 Space Grey. Never regretted but always knew I wanted the space black.
I almost got a Nike this time around, but you're keeping the device for so long it makes sense.
This is the only Watch you will be wearing. A decent dressy watch is around 1K. A decent sports watch is $100-150 and I used to buy a few a year.
Spending a few more dollars on one of my only pieces of jewelry made sense. Still left to be seen if I keep LTE active after the free 3 months
I almost got a Nike this time around, but you're keeping the device for so long it makes sense.
This is the only Watch you will be wearing. A decent dressy watch is around 1K. A decent sports watch is $100-150 and I used to buy a few a year.
Spending a few more dollars on one of my only pieces of jewelry made sense. Still left to be seen if I keep LTE active after the free 3 months
Had SS Series 0, going to Aluminium 3 was a no brainer. Definitely not worth the extra cash for me.
Silver or space grey? I also couldn't bring myself to pay £750 for SS this time around.
Interesting discussion. This is my first AW and I went with the aluminum sport AW (w/LTE). I just can't see spending more on something I'm probably going to want to replace in 1 or 2 years. Seems to me the AW occupies sort of unique space in between a pure fitness/electronic device and a piece of jewelry. Devices we tend to upgrade regularly while jewelry not so much. Personally, I see the AW as more of a device than jewelry or fashion accessory so I just can't see the point in paying for anything more than the aluminum version - in a year or so, Apple is going to release a new version and I'm probably going to want to get that version. If I can manage to hold off in one year, definitely at the two year mark, I'm going to want the latest model. But, if the AW is more of an actual watch to you, you may well be interested in spending more money on a higher end model. I can totally see that perspective too, it's just not my personal one.
I went with aluminum again on the model 3... Ive bounced back and forth in previous gens and frankly, I couldn't possibly justify the nearly double price point, especially as I would never use the LTE feature. (trust me, I've used other smart watches with LTE and it's useless due to battery restrictions).
So while the SS model does look more premium, it doesn't really look any nicer. Not to mention, the sapphire crystal influences the way light interacts with the screen, reducing to my eyes, the contrast a bit.
There is no wrong answer though, if you have the money and don't mind spending it, go for it, but for me, I bought the watch in aluminum and used the extra dough for some AirPods and extra straps.
So while the SS model does look more premium, it doesn't really look any nicer. Not to mention, the sapphire crystal influences the way light interacts with the screen, reducing to my eyes, the contrast a bit.
There is no wrong answer though, if you have the money and don't mind spending it, go for it, but for me, I bought the watch in aluminum and used the extra dough for some AirPods and extra straps.
Very true. If you plan on purchasing a new watch every year or cycle then you will lose more with a SS as compared to the aluminum.