I have the aluminum S2 and I'm considering the stainless steel S4. I know the SS is heavier than the aluminum - does anyone find this extra weight to be a problem when running or working out in the gym? Also, I understand that the sapphire screen on previous stainless steel models is more reflective and not quite as vibrant as the display on the aluminum models. Is that still the case with S4?
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Am I making a mistake? Choosing SS over alum?
- Thread starter Tuckeral77
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Not at all. You will adjust to the Weight rather quickly. I would recommend a sports band or Sport loop for the Gym, Which its plenty adjustable to find the appropriate fitting for your wrist.
That was the case in the Past with the stainless Being more reflective due to the sapphire coating, where as the Ion-X Glass on the Sport model appears more vibrant because it lacks the sapphire coating. But now Apple has increased the screen brightness from 450 Nits from the first Gen/Series 1 watch to 1000 Nit brightness with the Series 2 and above, the reflectivity issue Seems non existent due to increased brightness.
But lack the hardness.
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I think this totally depends on how tight you like to make the strap. I dont make them tight, and perhaps that could be problematic for working out.
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Neither look premium to me. $250 will buy one hell of a nice strap...
That's what I do. I currently have SS series 0 and planning to get the SS series 4. The aluminium ones look like a toy to me and coming from wearing regular watches I want something nice. My screen has no scratches and the steel I've polished maybe once a year (looks brand new every time). I'll keep the s4 until there is another major upgrade.
This is my concern, too. Someone mentioned to me to get the stainless version because of the sapphire crystal, but I noticed both models have the sapphire crystal. Are they talking about the aluminum and SS part getting scratched easily or the face itself?
The back is sapphire on both but the screen is only sapphire on the stainless models.
Sapphire isn’t that reflective. I live in hell aka Arizona and I can say that’s never been a problem with the stainless models I owned, or any of my watches with sapphire.
I still recommend the aluminum though due to resell value of the watch. Being tech you’re going to upgrade it not keep it around.
Apple trade in value after 1 year for the SS is $250, for the aluminum LTE is $225. At $700 & $500 for the new version you see which one gives you the best value over time. Only you can be the judge though. It’s your money not mine.
Eh you can easily get a few years out of these watches, and the newer ones will get more life than the earlier models. Most people don't approach them like a phone in terms of upgrade cycle (and now even the phone cycles are becoming much longer...).
I'd tradeoff the resale value if it meant having a watch without scratches on the glass. Also being able to polish it once in awhile and have it look like brand new is great. I also just prefer the look of the SS and the way it works with the bands that I have.
Reasons to not go with stainless would be they are heavier, cost more to begin with, and resale value is not much more than aluminums. If those are not significant detractors for you, go for it.
At least on the silver stainless, and I assume black, the microscratches can be “buffed” out for the most part with polishing cloths.
I go for aluminum as I want the lighter weight (hadn’t worn a watch in decades until the Apple Watch) and my wife gets stainless because the aesthetics appeal to her more.
At least on the silver stainless, and I assume black, the microscratches can be “buffed” out for the most part with polishing cloths.
I go for aluminum as I want the lighter weight (hadn’t worn a watch in decades until the Apple Watch) and my wife gets stainless because the aesthetics appeal to her more.
ive swum with the SS series 4 watch for the past two weeks and haven't noticed any weight difference/strain compared to my previous S0 space grey alum. the difference in grams is negligible if u are a regular sized person with normal muscle tone. maybe if u held ur arm out for a long time would u notice the additional weight...
I'm a two+ year owner of aluminum and new owner of SBSS.
Sure, the SBSS is 40% heavier than the aluminum. That's the spec.
Can't really tell the difference in the real world though, not unless I'm specifically comparing one to the other.
The weight is simply a non-issue. I picked up a pair of S4s in the AS with the same bands and couldn’t discern which was which. We’re talking mere grams here.
It just comes down to whether you prefer the looks of the SS versus aluminum and are prepared to accept the additional cost.
So....since it’s become abundantly clear this subject is going to get beat to death for as long as aluminum and SS watches remain available, I’ll save everyone further trouble by pointing out the only correct and obvious conclusion.
Those of us who bought SS are complete morons with more money than brains. S
It just comes down to whether you prefer the looks of the SS versus aluminum and are prepared to accept the additional cost.
So....since it’s become abundantly clear this subject is going to get beat to death for as long as aluminum and SS watches remain available, I’ll save everyone further trouble by pointing out the only correct and obvious conclusion.
Those of us who bought SS are complete morons with more money than brains. S
And those of us with aluminum are penny pinching idiots who buy cheap looking, easily broken crap.
(just to show both sides of the coin)
With the black stainless, you cannot polish out the scratches due to the diamond like carbon coating. It’s the one caveat to that specific model _if_ it does scratch.
I had a aluminium series 0 and series 2. For the series 4 I decided to go for the gold stainless steel. I am so happy with my decision. My friend has a series 4 gold aluminium and the stainless steel just looks so much better, and it goes perfectly with my gold XS. I have gone all iJustine with the matching case, strap (stone colour - although I am tempted by the gold link bracelet, maybe as a Xmas gift 
) and bodies.
So no, if you can afford it, then go for it. I am wearing my watch all the time, so I am not ashamed to admit that the watch has to look good.
) and bodies.So no, if you can afford it, then go for it. I am wearing my watch all the time, so I am not ashamed to admit that the watch has to look good.