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Apple Watch Ultra: Titanium finish less durable?
- Thread starter AppleTLDR
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Yes, I agree with your essential point, but "durability" can mean different things depending on what is being considered. I'll just leave it at that, else I will start a long essay which nobody cares about.
It can only mean what it is defined as. Here is what I believe you’re really looking for.Yes, I agree with your essential point, but "durability" can mean different things depending on what is being considered. I'll just leave it at that, else I will start a long essay which nobody cares about.
Cosmetic Damage - damage that affects the appearance of a property but does not interfere with the function
I’ve been doing a little more research into steel vs titanium. The general consensus seems to be that the strength of the metal very much depends on the specific alloy that is used.
Generally a high grade stainless steel is stronger than an alloy of Titanium. But the key difference is the strength to weight ratio with Titanium offering similar strength at half the weight.
Looking more closely, some of the debating points in this thread centred around how durability is defined. I think you can look at it in two ways.
1. Cosmetic durability. How does the finish hold up over time? Can it be easily refinished? Do design elements such as the rounded edges vs chamfered edged lend themselves better in one way or the other to this desired trait?
I think if you’re looking for a watch that will remain aesthetically pleasing for a longer time period, silver stainless is the best option. It’s the raw colour of the material and polishing doesn’t remove any coating or alter the finish. The Apple Watch Ultra will unfortunately get beaten up more cosmetically due to the structural weak point of the very fine chamfered edges as my photos illustrate. That and Titanium is less resistant to scratches.
2. Functional durability. Does the design prioritise protecting core functionality? Does it enable robust and more extreme use cases? Do design choices ensure a long lasting product?
If the features of Ultra are your priority along with functional durability, then the Apple Watch Ultra is the way to go. The design is more robust, more functional in nature. And it does look great.
One final point I’ll add is that functional durability has never been a concern for me with any of the SS models. I’ve owned every single one since the OG and not once has it been an issue. Scratches were easily removed as desired with cape cod cloths to restore the cosmetic appearance. In my humble opinion, aside from the flat display and additional water resistance, I do not believe the Ultra and specifically Titanium as a material choice offers much extra in the way of additional functional durability. But what is certain is that it offers less cosmetic durability.
As others have commented, this just isn’t the right product for me or for others who prioritise cosmetic durability and resale value. And that’s ok. It’s great that Apple are providing options that fit different desires and needs.
Generally a high grade stainless steel is stronger than an alloy of Titanium. But the key difference is the strength to weight ratio with Titanium offering similar strength at half the weight.
Looking more closely, some of the debating points in this thread centred around how durability is defined. I think you can look at it in two ways.
1. Cosmetic durability. How does the finish hold up over time? Can it be easily refinished? Do design elements such as the rounded edges vs chamfered edged lend themselves better in one way or the other to this desired trait?
I think if you’re looking for a watch that will remain aesthetically pleasing for a longer time period, silver stainless is the best option. It’s the raw colour of the material and polishing doesn’t remove any coating or alter the finish. The Apple Watch Ultra will unfortunately get beaten up more cosmetically due to the structural weak point of the very fine chamfered edges as my photos illustrate. That and Titanium is less resistant to scratches.
2. Functional durability. Does the design prioritise protecting core functionality? Does it enable robust and more extreme use cases? Do design choices ensure a long lasting product?
If the features of Ultra are your priority along with functional durability, then the Apple Watch Ultra is the way to go. The design is more robust, more functional in nature. And it does look great.
One final point I’ll add is that functional durability has never been a concern for me with any of the SS models. I’ve owned every single one since the OG and not once has it been an issue. Scratches were easily removed as desired with cape cod cloths to restore the cosmetic appearance. In my humble opinion, aside from the flat display and additional water resistance, I do not believe the Ultra and specifically Titanium as a material choice offers much extra in the way of additional functional durability. But what is certain is that it offers less cosmetic durability.
As others have commented, this just isn’t the right product for me or for others who prioritise cosmetic durability and resale value. And that’s ok. It’s great that Apple are providing options that fit different desires and needs.
Durability : the ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage.
DAMAGE : let’s be honest damage for an Apple Watch also means affecting the case so the cosmetic. This can be subjective but come on, durability for a consumer product like a connected watch is just marketing and hype. None of us is going to the moon or explore a volcano. They would have made the ultra out of SS it would have been the same thing for 99,9% of us! You could steel, sorry still, dive, run and climb the Everest with it 😉. Well… I like the watch though. Will wait and see if I go for a S8 instead which I now find a bit insipid after wearing the Ultra 😬. Next Ultra iteration will maybe be in SS as Tim is probably reading us “cosmetics OCD” 😅
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I think it is ceramic on the Ultra so if it drops it has good chances to also break…
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.
Mine is right above ☝️. This happened I believe from a not so hard knock on a restaurant table. It’s the only knock I can remember in the few days of ownership.
Apple advertised this thing to have aerospace grade titanium which should be grade 4 titanium. Grade 4 is the strongest of NON-alloy titanium.
Now, whether or not grade 4 is supposed to chip this easy, I don’t know, but I’d presume that it shouldn’t.
Whether or not Apple is really using grade 4 titanium is another question.
Edit*** Apparently many grades of titanium are used in different aspects of aerospace manufacturing. I’ll venture to say the grade used on the Ultra is the cheapest and weakest lol.
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Yes I think it’s pretty clear that the watch will hold up to abuse much better that the other models, but it’s not going to look pristine if you use it in an extreme way. This isn’t completely unsurprising; however, the finish itself from just typical day to day stuff isn’t superb.
I wouldn’t expect table knocks to dent the edge. I lifted weights in my S7 Ti and it developed some surface wear but it was easy to buff out. I tend to hit my watch on door knobs all the time did some reason. I’m contemplating getting a snap on case protector for just weight lifting. No way I’d leave a case on the watch. I specifically purchase the SS and Ti models so I don’t have to.
I wouldn’t expect table knocks to dent the edge. I lifted weights in my S7 Ti and it developed some surface wear but it was easy to buff out. I tend to hit my watch on door knobs all the time did some reason. I’m contemplating getting a snap on case protector for just weight lifting. No way I’d leave a case on the watch. I specifically purchase the SS and Ti models so I don’t have to.
This is really insane… Apple failed on that part! I know some will tell I over react but please when I pay that much for an Apple Watch said to be premium I do not expect it to be so fragile and not durable…
Question to the unfortunate owners of “Ultra Scrtachy Watch” : have you tried to polish it? I know these are dents and not scratches but well… maybe worth trying.
Question to the unfortunate owners of “Ultra Scrtachy Watch” : have you tried to polish it? I know these are dents and not scratches but well… maybe worth trying.
News alert: If you think the Ultra is too fragile, don't buy one. Time will tell how durable it is. It's the first model of this new form factor, so it's not unheard of for people to wait until Apple has some experience with this form factor before buying one. They don't call it the 'bleeding edge' for nothing.
However I would trust that Apple knows enough about the engineering of making good durable watches by now. The idea that they would deliberately use a soft titanium alloy and/or put the crystal on a precariously thin area seems devoid of any logic. They don't want them to fail, they don't want people to be flooding social media with pictures of broken Ultras. Let's all just take a few deep breaths and wait for the results of live product testing...
However I would trust that Apple knows enough about the engineering of making good durable watches by now. The idea that they would deliberately use a soft titanium alloy and/or put the crystal on a precariously thin area seems devoid of any logic. They don't want them to fail, they don't want people to be flooding social media with pictures of broken Ultras. Let's all just take a few deep breaths and wait for the results of live product testing...
The lack of day to day durability on the Ultra is scary. I can only imagine what the watch is going to look like after a weekend of hiking, trail running, etc. Thanks for all of the pictures. This has all but confirmed a return for me. I need more day to day durability and a less superhuman workout durability lol
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With respect, as this is a brand new design, the only way to really determine the fragility is through early adopters like me and others in this thread to take the plunge and report their experience. But I agree, it likely isn’t the right option for folks that are looking for cosmetic durability and want to ensure they get good resale value. It’s unfortunate as the features are great.
I also don’t think that anybody is stating Apple has deliberately chose a soft alloy. What they’re saying is that Titanium is strong (as is steel) but is less protective against dings and scratches. However, Apple did make a design choice to feature polished, laser cut chamfered edges around the display and around the crown guard. For a Watch designed for functionality, durability and so forth, a decorative and ornamental feature like this that is prone to being easily damaged is poor design. Or to be more generous, is an oxymoron to the design brief.
You don’t have to take my word for it in regards to chamfering. Just ask anybody on this forum that ever owned an iPhone 5 or 5S, an OG iPad Air, Air 2 or iPad Mini or Mini 2/3/4/5. All had chamfers and all chipped and dinged unless the owner used a case or was extremely careful.
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Further to your points, most of the SR-71 was titanium, including the most of the airframe and fuselage. The SR-71's operational speed was Mach 3.2, which is more than 2,200 mph or more than 3,500 kph. The operational ceiling was 85,000 feet, which is more than 16 miles and just a whisker under 26 km. You can't speak accurately of titanium as "weak" or "not durable."
I'd just add that as the current owner of two Rolex watches and the former owner of quite a few others, all stainless steel case models - which I mention because people here are saying how "durable" stainless steel is - if you wear yyour vaunted Rolex daily you are going to accumulate not just some superficial scratches but actual dents, dings and divots.
If you want a shelf queen, buy a box and toss whatever watch floats your boat into it, never take it out. It'll be "pristine" and "LNIB" but it won't have done anyone any good.