Apple Watch Ultra: Titanium finish less durable?

[Raajj]

What exactly is it about the trail loop you like, compared to regular sport loop? Thinking of getting one.

Ok this would appear weird but let me explain.
I really liked the stainless steel version of my last Apple Watch but when I purchased it and used it for couple of weeks, I found the watch be heavy compared to the aluminium version. So I gave it back and got the aluminium version. but this year the ultra is 10 grams heavier than the stainless steel version so I never ever though I would like the ultra due to its weight.
But with trail loop I don’t feel that weight at all . In my opinion the fit the trail loop provided is responsible for this.

 

[Significant1]

This seems a balanced review, with some comments about durability

She says scratches on SS can be polished away, but that is only on silver SS and that is no different with natural Ti (and it doesn't show/gets micro scratches as easy). I don't know about Ultra, I am garmin focused currently, but the finish might be different than previous natural Ti edition models. I am just bummed, that I am not using my s7 Natural Ti, because I have wear garmin to get the recovery data I need, but it still is the best AW version for me.

 

[tmoerel]

Personally I love the titanium look. I have had a few titanium watches in the past knowing full well that it is a softer metal that will show scratches. But the weight advantage is soo great that I am willing to accept this. After all it is a tool, not a jewel.
Also, when buying a smart watch I full well know that in say four years I will buy a new one, so who cares about some scratches!!

 

[Pewpewpew]

Had my gold SS Apple Watch 4 for 4 years, not a single blemish or scratch. Had AWU for 7 days and last night a very light brush up against the wall carrying the washing upstairs and it’s got a big chunk out of it!!!! Wtf barely touched the wall.

 

[Jackbequickly]

Had my gold SS Apple Watch 4 for 4 years, not a single blemish or scratch. Had AWU for 7 days and last night a very light brush up against the wall carrying the washing upstairs and it’s got a big chunk out of it!!!! Wtf barely touched the wall.

Stainless steel is much harder than titanium.

Titanium is lighter but malleable and will scratch and dent.

 

[leebroath]

Had my gold SS Apple Watch 4 for 4 years, not a single blemish or scratch. Had AWU for 7 days and last night a very light brush up against the wall carrying the washing upstairs and it’s got a big chunk out of it!!!! Wtf barely touched the wall.

Add Applecare+ then claim

 

[MacGiver]

Had my gold SS Apple Watch 4 for 4 years, not a single blemish or scratch. Had AWU for 7 days and last night a very light brush up against the wall carrying the washing upstairs and it’s got a big chunk out of it!!!! Wtf barely touched the wall.

Can you share a pic?

 

[drew0020]

Had my gold SS Apple Watch 4 for 4 years, not a single blemish or scratch. Had AWU for 7 days and last night a very light brush up against the wall carrying the washing upstairs and it’s got a big chunk out of it!!!! Wtf barely touched the wall.

Sorry to hear that, but unfortunately that seems to be the norm for titanium. Hopefully it doesnt look too bad and that it doesnt take away from your enjoyment with the watch.

 

[MacGiver]

Sorry to hear that, but unfortunately that seems to be the norm for titanium. Hopefully it doesnt look too bad and that it doesnt take away from your enjoyment with the watch.

By the way did you exchange it for a S8 SS?

 

[drew0020]

By the way did you exchange it for a S8 SS?

Nope. I kept the 7 Hermes. The 8 (ie: 7 almost +) might be the worst Apple watch update ever lol. Didnt make any sense to do that for me.

 

[MacGiver]

Nope. I kept the 7 Hermes. The 8 (ie: 7 almost +) might be the worst Apple watch update ever lol. Didnt make any sense to do that for me.

True 7 and 8 are almost the same watches.

 

[drew0020]

True 7 and 8 are almost the same watches.

BT 5.3 is interesting - not sure what it means in real life, and if they added a real temperature sensor I might have upgraded, but not a fan of their implementation - IE; need to wear 5 nights (I dont use the sleep function anyway).

 

[leebroath]

To be fair, i think even a light brush with a SS watch against a wall would scratch

Depending on the texture of course.

 

[drew0020]

To be fair, i think even a light brush with a SS watch against a wall would scratch the watch

Depending on the texture of it of course.

I’ve lightly hit my SS watch on walls, doors, etc over a 5 year period. There have never been a deep scratch on any of my SS models (ie: nothing that cant be buffed out with a cape cod cloth in less then 2 mins)

 

[MacGiver]

NopeI already banged it up a few times. Still looks new.

Dude seems you are lucky… 🧐😅

 

[MacGiver]

To be fair, i think even a light brush with a SS watch against a wall would scratch

Depending on the texture of course.

It could/would…but…SS is shiny so imperfections are less visible vs a matte finish. You can polish SS. Just did it today on my SS S5 I have to my wife (since I have the AWU). You can see some scratches but they are really not so visible. I could have polished it more to make it perfect. It is a Series 5…

 

[Smoothie]

Wow, same here. Got a little chip on the edge from what I think was a bump on the underside of a restaurant table. Mine is not as bad a yours but I notice a little glint on the edge where the chip is.

My first thought was it’s not as durable as they claim but hey, at least the screen is well protected with the edge.

Can only see it at the perfect angle. I can certainly feel it tho.

View attachment 2083579

It seems like most of the dings have occurred while hitting a table or an airplane tray table. The obvious solution is not to eat at a table. Prehistoric people didn't use tables and there wasn't mention of any Apple Watch getting scratched or dinged. Battery life, however, was pretty bad.

 

[leebroath]

Had my gold SS Apple Watch 4 for 4 years, not a single blemish or scratch. Had AWU for 7 days and last night a very light brush up against the wall carrying the washing upstairs and it’s got a big chunk out of it!!!! Wtf barely touched the wall.

I’d love to see this big chunk also?

 

[Jkeith85]

Just buy apple care plus and can it

 

[leebroath]

Just buy apple care plus and can it

At what extent does Apple class an ‘accidental damage’ which allows a customer to claim?

Obviously there is a small cost to claim

Do Apple need to inspect it first, and do they just replace the case and send it back to you?

 

[Bazooka-joe]

At what extent does Apple class an ‘accidental damage’ which allows a customer to claim?

Obviously there is a small cost to claim

Do Apple need to inspect it first, and do they just replace the case and send it back to you?

Yeah I wondered that as I’ve never had applecare before on any of my devices. Because I do a lot of watersports I took AppleCare out for my ultra but I’m not sure what qualifies as a replacement. Is AppleCare a direct replacement for damage or a repair?

 

[ADGrant]

I am no fan of the ultra but this impressed me

That is an Aluminum Series 8 though. Of course it's going to be more robust than that. A comparison to the Stainless Steel version would be much more interesting.

 

[ADGrant]

I’m pretty sure I am returning mine and I appreciate hearing your thoughts. It’s been super helpful for me. Most likely back to Hermes SS for me this year.

With the space black finish?

 

[ADGrant]

It doesn’t matter what type of alloy was used. It is more durable than the stainless steel that they offer on their other watches.

Is it, I don't think so. I have never had a chip in any SS Apple watch or even a scratch in my Space Black SS AW.

 

[Jkeith85]

At what extent does Apple class an ‘accidental damage’ which allows a customer to claim?

Obviously there is a small cost to claim

Do Apple need to inspect it first, and do they just replace the case and send it back to you?

There is the cost. Without apple care it’s almost 500 to replace. I’d imagine they would just replace the entire watch.