I currently have a space gray aluminum Apple Watch series 1 and want to get a series 4. My screen is in awful condition right now because of scratches. My question is if the sapphire glass on the stainless steel version is really that much more durable. I also love the look of the space black stainless steel and can somewhat justify the price now that an Apple Watch is essential to me. What is your opinion on the durability of your stainless steel Apple Watch and is it worth the extra money?
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Series 4 Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel
- Thread starter frosty18
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I have a Series 0 stainless steel. I am an outdoor enthusiast and have been wearing it for 2.5 years and still using it at night.
I did wear it working in the yard and working in warehouses.
Compared to my wife’s Aluminum the screen has no scratches and looks almost like day one. The case has lots of micro scratches. I am not polishing it, since in my view it’s part of the character.
I now have the Space Black Stainless steel since a year and I am extremely happy.
thank you I will seriously consider the stainless steel it looks so much better and I'm glad to hear there's added durability as well.
To me Aluminum watches are light and is more suitable for sporty look. For a business man like me, stainless steel is more suitable. I also don’t like light watches.
As an owner of the S0 & S3 SBSS models. Durability of that model is impressive. Even with moderate care it will stay looking new. It’s difficult to scratch and markup. I used my shirt and sometimes jeans to wipe the screen of fingerprints and it was fine, no scratches. The resell value on the other hand is pure garbage.
Durability 10/10
Resell 0/10
The S4 is the first aluminum I’ve purchased. So far I’m happy with it. I put a Armorsuit screen protector on it cause I know my greyhound would scratch the screen. The SS model I wouldn’t bother with a screen protector. My S0 took a hit from a metal door frame and didn’t chip or scratch. My S3 I accidentally hit with the metal from my seatbelt buckle directly to the screen. Again no chips or scratches.
For durability the stainless is awesome. But the resell ugh. The battery won’t last to make up for the price, neither does the tech inside it at this point in time.
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Durability 10/10
Resell 0/10
The S4 is the first aluminum I’ve purchased. So far I’m happy with it. I put a Armorsuit screen protector on it cause I know my greyhound would scratch the screen. The SS model I wouldn’t bother with a screen protector. My S0 took a hit from a metal door frame and didn’t chip or scratch. My S3 I accidentally hit with the metal from my seatbelt buckle directly to the screen. Again no chips or scratches.
For durability the stainless is awesome. But the resell ugh. The battery won’t last to make up for the price, neither does the tech inside it at this point in time.
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I feel the same way on this. However I see more aluminum watches on lawyers, doctors & CEOs than I do anywhere else. I’m not a sport person at all either and work primarily in office environments.
I am a lawyer with an aluminum 44mm. I have always gotten aluminum. First, I really don't find that the stainless looks better or more expensive or anything, and second to me it is not a fine heirloom piece of jewelry - it is a tech watch that I will be upgrading every couple of years. I had the gold stainless 44mm and took it back and swapped for the 44mm space black aluminum because I like the way it looked better than the look of the gold ss.
If you really like the stainless better and you have the money - no reason not to get the stainless. But for someone like me, the stainless just is not that enticing. I also pay absolutely no attention to what other people are using for their own watches.
If you really like the stainless better and you have the money - no reason not to get the stainless. But for someone like me, the stainless just is not that enticing. I also pay absolutely no attention to what other people are using for their own watches.
I'm struggling with this same thing. I have a Series 0 SS that the body is super scratched on the stainless but the screen is flawless.
I don't mind the weight but I'm seriously considering getting aluminum this round because I want to feel better about potentially updating more often. One of the reasons I kept my series 0 for so long is because they weren't worth anything and I struggled to justify the cost.
So for that reason I'm planning on going Space Gray Nike for the Series 4.
I don't mind the weight but I'm seriously considering getting aluminum this round because I want to feel better about potentially updating more often. One of the reasons I kept my series 0 for so long is because they weren't worth anything and I struggled to justify the cost.
So for that reason I'm planning on going Space Gray Nike for the Series 4.
I share your sentiments. I realize the stainless does not hold it’s value, but the Apple Watch as a whole struggles in terms of resale, especially now that it seems the Apple Watch is on an annual release. But in terms of actually enjoying the watch, I do really like the weight of the stainless and the protection of the Sapphire, those two things combined justify the additional expenditure for me.
I don't think that the SS loses any more monetary value than the iPhone. The SS loses between 60 and 70% of its value in the first year which relates to around a loss of £350 to £400. Its no different or even worse for the iPhone X which has lost £400 to £550 of last years retail cost
Except the difference being that the iPhone is a ‘primary’ device that holds way *more* value than an Apple Watch, because the Apple Watch is an accessory to the iPhone. It’s also a superflurous device, compared to an iPhone is much more pivotal in terms of those relying on it for almost everything in their daily lives.
What you're saying is partially true, as I do not consider the Apple Watch superfluous in my use. I have Parkinson's and A-Fib. I use the app Medisafe to remind me to take my Parkinson's medicine three times a day and blood thinners and a beta blocker twice a day for my A-Fib condition. When I'm out on a photo shoot I would be late or miss doses of life saving medicine if I depended on the phone. I will notice a "buzz" on my wrist a lot more to remind me to take my medicine. What maybe superfluous to you is life saving to me. The Apple Watch series 4 has the additional bonus of determining if I'm in an A-Fib condition so I can take countermeasures, like taking deep breaths and relaxing, or something simple as to drink water in event I'm dehydrated, which can case an A-Fib attack.
Good post and thank you for sharing this. In light of your situation, I think the Apple Watch serves your purpose very well. I think when the Apple Watch first started, it was more of a device in the sense of just being a communication extension of the iPhone, but now that it’s adding more health sensors and becoming more health oriented, with the detecting abnormal heart conditions, EKG, etc. it is changing the way we use the watch on a daily basis for our health and fitness lifestyle.
The iPhone is just as superfluous, as evidenced by the fact that people got by just fine without it before 2007. Owning a smartphone is a choice, just like wearing a smart watch. A very popular choice currently, but still just a choice.
Technically, it’s not. Because the Apple Watch _relies_ on the iPhone, therefore the iPhone it can’t be superflorous if we are on subject, where the Apple Watch is an accessory, not a necessity like the iPhone would be in terms of communication primarily in today’s tech era.
Even for Apple it is a huge difference.
On their new trade in program Apple gives back for series 3 cellular:
- 38mm Aluminum Sports band: $225 - very fair after a year
- 42mm Space Black stainless steel with Milanese loop: $250
While new they ask for a premium difference, they give you $25 on the trade in. Really?
So from a financial perspective everyone here is right: It’s better to stay with the Aluminum.
I still love my stainless steel, but need to stay on the 4 for 2+ years.
It is not just about the look but also the feel.
I believe the aluminum watches look and feel more like a toy. It is suitable for sports and teenagers.
Watches have always been stainless steel.
Don’t think big watch companies release their watches in aluminum.
I also upgrade often but then I feel the next watch will have the same form factor and probably just a faster processor. If so I will be using the Series 4 SS for 2 years. The resale value for SS watches are roughly $150 more than the aluminum watches which is the downside. But I still prefer the SS anytime.
Also the screen on the aluminum watches can crack a lot easier which is not good. Plus the aluminum watches can dent or get damaged easier.
I sold my Silver SS about $250 less than what I bought it for but then I bought the Gold SS this year for $50 discount.
I lost $200 in my upgrade which is not that bad considering that I used it for 1 year.
I’ve gotten the aluminum every time and have no scratches on the glass, no screen protector tors. Save the money and get the glass.
Forget resale value - it doesn't really matter. I've had my SS for about 18 months. Main reason I went SS was durability. The sapphire glass face is the main selling point for me. I have a horrible tendency to smash my watches against something and that held true with this watch. Screen has survived just fine. I have some abrasions on the SS body, but I know they can be polished out. I also think the SS body in Silver is the most versatile body for the plethora of available bands out there.
I’m on my third Apple Watch now with S4, all of them steel and sapphire. The display is a big reason I go for the steel as I hate scratches. In my years with the watches not a single scratch has caught the display even though I’m wearing them all day, every day.
Having had both space black and two normal steel watches they look amazing as well
Having had both space black and two normal steel watches they look amazing as well
I have seen some guys having scratches and dents on their aluminium watch. Not a good sight.
Yes SS Silver has always been my choice but this time the gold matches several bands nicely.