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Thinking of getting the Apple watch

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PPCmike

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 9, 2012
211
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Tomorrow how much is Apple care for the watch anyways?
I work at UPS so I don't really trust the watch alone on my wrist as sometimes my arm hits the metal shelf or I have to reach between boxes so I had planned to get a case for it.

Now I assume the sport band will hold up? has anyone ever had it fall apart by deteriorating?

I guess only the higher end model's come in SS and I see the Apple care is $49
 
Last edited:
PPCmike said:
Tomorrow how much is Apple care for the watch anyways?
I work at UPS so I don't really trust the watch alone on my wrist as sometimes my arm hits the metal shelf or I have to reach between boxes so I had planned to get a case for it.

Now I assume the sport band will hold up? has anyone ever had it fall apart by deteriorating?

I guess only the higher end model's come in SS and I see the Apple care is $49
Click to expand...

I would definitely suggest AppleCare. If you opt for the sport model, you may want to consider a screen protector to prevent scratches against the glass.

I own the stainless model, and I find it to be very durable with the sapphire display, which is highly scratch resistant. (Which is something to consider in your line of work.)

Apple's OEM sport bands are excellent. They are highly durable, they are made of flueroastamer, which essentially is almost indestructible and they will outlast the Apple Watch itself. They are very flexible and can easily be cleaned as well.
 
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Remember:

The Aluminium model has a glass front, not sapphire. This glass is easily scratched. Just google 'scratched apple watch'.
The SS model has a sapphire front, that's hardly possible to get scratched. However, the polished stainless body is more easily scratched than the aluminium.

To me, a scratch on the display would be worse than a scratch on the body. The SS body can be polished with a cloth. You can't do that to a alu body.

However, i would never, ever buy a 'protective' case or a screenprotector. The thing is designed to be pretty. That's it. A case ain't gonna make it pretty ;)
 
It might be different in the uk, but I've found gadget insurance from my bank is a better option (and covers loss and theft). I don't know if Applecare covers cosmetic damage (my insurance wouldn't) but a smash would be covered, and I'm paying £9.99/mo for all my families phones and gadgets.
 
farleysmaster said:
It might be different in the uk, but I've found gadget insurance from my bank is a better option (and covers loss and theft). I don't know if Applecare covers cosmetic damage (my insurance wouldn't) but a smash would be covered, and I'm paying £9.99/mo for all my families phones and gadgets.
Click to expand...
Apple care doesn’t cover cosmetic damage.
[doublepost=1512744208][/doublepost]
PPCmike said:
Tomorrow how much is Apple care for the watch anyways?
I work at UPS so I don't really trust the watch alone on my wrist as sometimes my arm hits the metal shelf or I have to reach between boxes so I had planned to get a case for it.

Now I assume the sport band will hold up? has anyone ever had it fall apart by deteriorating?

I guess only the higher end model's come in SS and I see the Apple care is $49
Click to expand...
In your line of work I would get a case to wear at work but, remove it when not working. There are some nice looking cases made by Spigen. Apple care will not help you if you scratch the watch. I would still recommend apple care for breakage or malfunction. I’m on my third watch and have had apple care for each one. $49 is worth the piece of mind even if you don’t need it. If you sell the watch before apple care expires Apple will refund the unused portion.
 
Scratched sapphire glass, while highly unlikely, is possible in certain environments.
I have just the Ion glass on my AW S2 (I think).

Check out:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohs_scale_of_mineral_hardness

Corundum (commonly used in sandpaper) and saw blades with Tungsten Carbide tips are 9 on Mohs scale, like Sapphire. So, for instance, if you work in a woodworking shop, you might get scratches if you are not careful changing saw blades, or using sandpaper.

Silicon Carbide is 9.5 on scale and is what LEDs are made of. So if you work with circuit boards, be careful.

Wood or cardboard boxes won't hurt it, but swinging arms clumsily next to stone or brick walls may indeed scratch it, or shatter it.

I have a woodworking shop in my basement, so, I have screen protector on mine. If I glance my arm up to some sandpaper, or don't remember to remove watch when changing table saw blade, or bump arm while going thru diamond tip drill bits in bit box, then screen protector gets first dibs on damage.
 
Yeah I did order that spigen case but it seemed it did not do well with screen protectors.. also I do a little diy projects so I have worked with many circuit boards. I did get the Apple care because my now ex girlfriend her screen of her series 1 came unglued Apple just gave her another watch. So it did come in handy
[doublepost=1512783148][/doublepost]
nieks said:
Remember:

The Aluminium model has a glass front, not sapphire. This glass is easily scratched. Just google 'scratched apple watch'.
The SS model has a sapphire front, that's hardly possible to get scratched. However, the polished stainless body is more easily scratched than the aluminium.

To me, a scratch on the display would be worse than a scratch on the body. The SS body can be polished with a cloth. You can't do that to a alu body.

However, i would never, ever buy a 'protective' case or a screenprotector. The thing is designed to be pretty. That's it. A case ain't gonna make it pretty ;)
Click to expand...
whats this SS model they keep taking about i have not seen anything but the $1000 end watches in SS.
 
PPCmike said:
whats this SS model they keep taking about i have not seen anything but the $1000 end watches in SS.
Click to expand...

The stainless steel model is the next model above the aluminum. It does not start at $1000, it actually starts at $650 with the sport band. It uses 316 L stainless in a sapphire display.

However, there are models that are $1000 if you purchase the stainless model with the link bracelet, and there is also the Hermès Apple Watch lineup as well.
 
Ah I ended up getting the Alu version had Apple not always going to have an updated watch with better features I would be ok with the SS but I can't see the need
 
PPCmike said:
Ah I ended up getting the Alu version had Apple not always going to have an updated watch with better features I would be ok with the SS but I can't see the need
Click to expand...
Now that the watch has LTE I don’t see a need to buy new watch every year. Apple will surely improve the function of the watch with software updates but, I see no need to get a new watch more than every 2-3 yrs. I had my SS series 0 for 2.5 yrs. It was still serving me well. I just wanted the newer processor and increased storage capacity.
 
Otflyer said:
Now that the watch has LTE I don’t see a need to buy new watch every year. Apple will surely improve the function of the watch with software updates but, I see no need to get a new watch more than every 2-3 yrs. I had my SS series 0 for 2.5 yrs. It was still serving me well. I just wanted the newer processor and increased storage capacity.
Click to expand...
I knew LTE was never going to be the option for me.. I'm always calling my building back or other drivers if my Iphone X is down to 46% by the time I get home (I arrive at 7 AM and back around 6:30-7PM) then I'm more than sure the watch would be long dead if I had the LTE and no phone.
 
PPCmike said:
I knew LTE was never going to be the option for me.. I'm always calling my building back or other drivers if my Iphone X is down to 46% by the time I get home (I arrive at 7 AM and back around 6:30-7PM) then I'm more than sure the watch would be long dead if I had the LTE and no phone.
Click to expand...
You should buy a portable charger. Spigen I believe has one that will charge the iPhone or Apple Watch.
 
Otflyer said:
You should buy a portable charger. Spigen I believe has one that will charge the iPhone or Apple Watch.
Click to expand...
I already have a portable charger tbh I haven't had to use it on the iphone X yet but on the 6+ I had I probably would of been in power save mode so I would of used it, now if you are talking about the portable charger and the apple watch that's a little too much
 
PPCmike said:
I already have a portable charger tbh I haven't had to use it on the iphone X yet but on the 6+ I had I probably would of been in power save mode so I would of used it, now if you are talking about the portable charger and the apple watch that's a little too much
Click to expand...
Yeah. But, I don’t think the watch was meant to be used in place of the iPhone but, but to augment it for occasional short periods such as running, quick trip to market, walking the dog, stepping outside momentarily to avoid missing a call. etc.
 
PPCmike said:
How long does it normally take for the updates to the watch?
Click to expand...

It depends, as there is no definitive time
Length . If it's just a minor update, It could take approximately 10-20 minutes. If it's a major update from one watchOS version to another, it could take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. Also, if everybody is updating at once for a new watch update when it releases, Apple's servers are likely busy due to everyone upgrading, which could take longer.
 
The sapphire display on the Apple Watch might be more scratch resistant than the
nieks said:
Remember:

The Aluminium model has a glass front, not sapphire. This glass is easily scratched. Just google 'scratched apple watch'.
The SS model has a sapphire front, that's hardly possible to get scratched. However, the polished stainless body is more easily scratched than the aluminium.

To me, a scratch on the display would be worse than a scratch on the body. The SS body can be polished with a cloth. You can't do that to a alu body.

However, i would never, ever buy a 'protective' case or a screenprotector. The thing is designed to be pretty. That's it. A case ain't gonna make it pretty ;)
Click to expand...

The Ion-X Glass of the Sport is not easily scratched at all. It’s almost as scratch resistant as the sapphire of the Apple Watch
https://www.slashgear.com/apple-watch-scratch-resistance-ion-x-vs-sapphire-glass-27380853/

I’ve worn my 38mm Apple Watch Sport for over two years with no additional screen protection and the glass is still flawless. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve smacked it against hard surfaces that I thought would crack or leave a scratch (because it was a glancing blow).

I totally agree with you that I would never put a protective case or screen protector on an Apple Watch of any kind. It’s not necessary. I might pay the $49 to get the AppleCare+ if you work in an environment where the Watch is more likely to contact hard surfaces. I also kind of like the hairline scratches I’ve seen on stainless steel Apple Watch cases. The aluminum Sport is so sterile by comparison. I may get the stainless steel for my next one, but I might not ever polish it. :)
 
Relentless Power said:
It depends, as there is no definitive time
Length . If it's just a minor update, It could take approximately 10-20 minutes. If it's a major update from one watchOS version to another, it could take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. Also, if everybody is updating at once for a new watch update when it releases, Apple's servers are likely busy due to everyone upgrading, which could take longer.
Click to expand...
I have three series 2 watches and I waited a week to update them to the latest update. It took about 3.5 hrs to update each watch. I doubt that I will ever update them again because each time I updates, it took about the same amount of time. Who has that much time to update a watch?

I updated my two series 3 watches to the latest a few days ago and it took about an hour for each.
 
Mines a series 3 watch had I known it was going to take about 2 hours (50 min now) I would of waited until I went to bed or something like that. Right now still testing out a few watch faces right now it's modular before it was simple.
 
sean000 said:
The sapphire display on the Apple Watch might be more scratch resistant than the


The Ion-X Glass of the Sport is not easily scratched at all. It’s almost as scratch resistant as the sapphire of the Apple Watch
https://www.slashgear.com/apple-watch-scratch-resistance-ion-x-vs-sapphire-glass-27380853/

I’ve worn my 38mm Apple Watch Sport for over two years with no additional screen protection and the glass is still flawless. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve smacked it against hard surfaces that I thought would crack or leave a scratch (because it was a glancing blow).

I totally agree with you that I would never put a protective case or screen protector on an Apple Watch of any kind. It’s not necessary. I might pay the $49 to get the AppleCare+ if you work in an environment where the Watch is more likely to contact hard surfaces. I also kind of like the hairline scratches I’ve seen on stainless steel Apple Watch cases. The aluminum Sport is so sterile by comparison. I may get the stainless steel for my next one, but I might not ever polish it. :)
Click to expand...
In the real world based on my experience, ionX glass scratches much easier than sapphire when worn in similar environments.
 
I hope I wont have the issue I had when I got my ex girlfriend a S0 watch her watch screen came undone.. I was so glad I got the apple care on it they ended up just sending her a new one I think it was a S2
 
Otflyer said:
In the real world based on my experience, ionX glass scratches much easier than sapphire when worn in similar environments.
Click to expand...

That’s exactly what one would expect based on the scratch test I linked to. The test clearly shows sapphire is more scratch resistant than Ion-X Glass, but it takes more to scratch the still very hard Ion-X Glass than some people seem to think. Based on what I’ve read on these forums, I’m not that much of an outlier for having a two year old Sport with no scratches. I do work a desk job though, so I’m not constantly reaching into tight spaces or working around highly abrasive materials. I do occasionally smack the Watch into metal shelves, doors and doorknobs, wooden cabinets, and walls, etc. I also wear it mountain biking where it frequently comes into contact with brush that leaves scratches on my arms but no scratches on the Watch face itself. I would consider buying the SS or a protector if I worked in an environment where it was more likely to get a scratch. Some people are also just more careful than others, but accidents can happen so YMMV.
 
I scratched my previous AW Nike + aluminum within 5 days of buying it. I have a fresh replacement but seriously thinking about moving to the SS. Looking at the scratch was really bugging me.
 
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