So, you want to buy an Apple Watch? That’s awesome! You’re about to join a community within a community of Apple product users that’s all about style, versatility, and convenience. But how do you know which one to buy? Should you buy a stainless steel or aluminum Apple Watch?
Are there certain functions and advantages one has over the other? And what’s up with the drastic differences in cost between the anodized aluminum and stainless steel watches?
If you want a brief summary of the benefits you’ll get with aluminum and stainless steel Apple Watches, consider the points below…
The Anodized aluminum with its Ion-X glass screen is the most IMPACT resistant. So, it’s less likely to crack. It’s also a lot lighter and less expensive.
The Stainless steel with its Sapphire crystal screen is the most SCRATCH resistant — meaning that it’s less likely to get scratched. It’s more expensive and heavier too, so you’ll need to consider whether you’re happy with these trade-offs.
GPS or GPS + Cellular?
Before we delve into the pros and cons of Stainless Steel and Anodized Aluminum, everyone must know that Anodized Aluminum Apple Watches are available in both GPS and GPS + Cellular models.
But Stainless Steel Apple Watches are only available in GPS + Cellular models.
All Apple Watches are managed from the user’s iPhone. Functionally, all Apple Watches are the same across the board, with one exception: GPS or GPS + Cellular.
Apple Watch with only GPS
Let me clarify something first because there’s a common misconception perceived amongst prospective Apple Watch buyers about what the term GPS actually means here.
Most people think of an independent and navigation-capable device when they hear GPS, but that’s not the case with this Apple Watch — at least not by itself.
The GPS Apple Watch relies on Bluetooth connectivity and Wi-Fi from the iPhone to operate certain features such as navigation, Apple Music streaming, and phone calls.
When the iPhone isn’t in range, the GPS Apple Watch can only play music from a playlist downloaded onto it through the Apple Watch app on the iPhone.
It can, however, use route tracking for fitness purposes without the iPhone in range. So if you prefer to exercise or play sports without your iPhone, the GPS Apple Watch has you covered.
GPS + Cellular
The GPS + Cellular Apple Watch shares all the same features as the GPS Apple Watch, but it has the added cellular capability, enabling users to fully enjoy the device without the iPhone.
It does mean having to open another line through your cellular carrier to enable this capability. Also, don’t be like some people and think,
“Oh gee, I can just leave behind my iPhone and never have to carry it around again!”
First of all, just no.
Second, it’s just better not to leave any iPhone behind if you don’t need to.
Third, and most importantly, the cellular capability can seriously drain your Apple Watch’s battery. It’s best to use mostly if you get separated from your iPhone, not constantly.
But don’t let the rate of battery consumption be a deal-breaker for you. Think about how much battery is used when navigating on your iPhone alone.
Looking at you, ride sharers!
Stainless Steel with Sapphire Crystal Display
Stainless steel comes in these finishes
Now that we’ve got that out of the way. Next, decide on whether you want your casing in Anodized Aluminum with Ion-X glass or Stainless Steel with the Sapphire Crystal display.
Aside from the functional capability of GPS or GPS + Cellular, the casing material and its color are the things you can’t change easily.
That’s what you’ll be matching with every Apple Watch band you’ll consider purchasing.
If cost isn’t going to play a huge contributing factor in your decision-making process, here’s why you should consider the Stainless Steel Apple Watch with the Sapphire Crystal display.
Pros: It’s very scratch-resistant
If you want a stunning professional or formal look with a strong durable casing, there’s no reason not to consider the Stainless Steel Apple Watch with the Sapphire Crystal display.
Stainless steel doesn’t rust and is highly unlikely to warp, bend, or become deformed.
Sapphire crystal is a dense material that is known for its scratch resistance. You are much less likely to get scratches on sapphire crystal than on Ion-X glass. In fact, it is very difficult to scratch a sapphire crystal screen!
Cons: It’s expensive, heavier, and less flexible
While you can use a stainless steel Apple Watch for exercise and sports, it displays wear and tear like scratches more obviously than anodized aluminum, distressing the stylish look.
While very scratch-resistant, sapphire crystal isn’t as impact-resistant as Ion-X glass due to the material’s more rigid density. Ion-X is much more flexible and also weighs significantly less.
Sapphire is also much more expensive to produce and use. The combination of the sapphire crystal display with the stainless steel casing does make the Apple Watch heavier than its anodized aluminum counterpart.
Anodized Aluminum with Ion-X glass
If you’re a competitive sportsman or a fitness freak, then look no further than the Apple Watch with anodized aluminum and the Ion-X glass display.
This Apple Watch being available in GPS and GPS + Cellular models makes this the most versatile.
Like stainless steel, anodized aluminum doesn’t rust but is vulnerable to corrosion. In this case, that’s a part of the process of creating anodized aluminum.
When aluminum corrodes or oxidizes, a thin layer of oxide is produced, which serves as a defensive shell from further corrosion, thus making the material more durable.
Many consumer electronics and cookware are intentionally anodized for this purpose. Anodized aluminum also hides scratches and wear and tear better than stainless steel.
Ion-X glass is a durable, lightweight, flexible material best known for its impact resistance. It’s not as scratch-resistant as sapphire crystal, but it’s still ideal for rigorous activity.
The combination of anodized aluminum with the Ion-X glass display makes for an ideal Apple Watch designed for rigorous activity that regularly exposes the watch to wear and tear.
Anodized aluminum Apple Watch that’s still going. Credit: Kicksology.net
Pros: It’s much lighter and cheaper
The Apple Watch with anodized aluminum is a more affordable device that’s lightweight and ideal for sports and other rigorous activities due to its impact-resistant casing.
Its Ion-X glass is much more flexible than Sapphire glass. Ion-X glass can withstand more weight in a bend than the Sapphire crystal. This means that if dropped, the Ion-X display does not crack quite as easily as Sapphire.
Ion-X glass also weighs significantly less than Sapphire glass.
The anodized aluminum Apple Watch is available in GPS and GPS + Cellular models at the more affordable pricing range for Apple Watches.
Cons: It scratches more easily
The Ion-X glass display is less scratch-resistant than its sapphire crystal display counterpart. And, the stainless steel casing on the Apple Watch Stainless model is denser and damage resistant than anodized aluminum.
Here’s What We Think…
For us, the Anodized aluminum with its Ion-X glass wins out!
We love that it’s lighter, cheaper, and more impact-resistant. And even though it is less scratch-resistant than the stainless steel with its sapphire crystal display; a scratch is less of a problem than a crack! Plus, replacing the Ion-X screen is much cheaper than the Sapphire screen. So, if an accident does happen, the repair is more affordable.
Choose your top risk!
If you are more concerned about scratches than wear and tear, the Stainless Steel model might be best for you.
However, if you are most worried about cracking, falling, or other impact damage, stick with the Anodized aluminum model.
There’s also the Apple-signature Hermés style Apple Watches that start from $1,249.
Who Should Use Each Apple Watch?
Regardless of the Apple Watch you buy, you’re going to experience trade-offs in one way or another. So, you need to think about which negatives you’re willing to deal with for more positives.
Many people use their Apple Watches for sports-related purposes. Needless to say that rigorous exercise can put your device under a lot of strain, whether that’s from sweat, dirt, or rain. If you plan to use your Apple Watch for exercise, you should buy the aluminum Apple Watch. Similarly, you may also want to buy this device if having an Apple Watch that looks fresh is important to you.
Of course, you can use a stainless steel Apple Watch to work out with — but you need to be okay with the fact that you’ll probably have to deal with more scratches than would otherwise be the case.
If you’re more interested in style and price isn’t a problem for you, the stainless steel Apple Watch will give you many fashionable options.
Don’t let the notable price difference between the two models and casings discourage you either. Think of it this way. You’ll get your stainless steel Apple Watch with the capability of activating another cellular line when and if you choose to, but there’s nothing that says you have to.
I am on a hunt for knowledge of which Apple Watch display is more impact resistant.
One article will say the sapphire is, while others say the Ion-X is.
Then there is your article, which states “ While very scratch-resistant, sapphire crystal isn’t as impact resistant as Ion-X glass due to the material’s more rigid density“, but then later, in the cons-section of the aluminum ion-X watch, you state the Ion-X isn’t as scratch resistant as the sapphire.
So, which is it??? I tend to bang my watches quite a bit, and really need to know the answer.
The Ion-X glass is the most IMPACT resistant–meaning less likely to crack
The Sapphire glass is the most SCRATCH resistant–meaning less likely to get scratched
So if impact is your issue, go with the Ion-X glass
I am on a hunt for knowledge of which Apple Watch display is more impact resistant.
One article will say the sapphire is, while others say the Ion-X is.
Then there is your article, which states “ While very scratch-resistant, sapphire crystal isn’t as impact resistant as Ion-X glass due to the material’s more rigid density“, but then later, in the cons-section of the aluminum ion-X watch, you state the Ion-X isn’t as scratch resistant as the sapphire.
So, which is it??? I tend to bang my watches quite a bit, and really need to know the answer.
Hi Crystal,
Sorry, we revised the text so it’s more clear:
The Ion-X glass is the most IMPACT resistant–meaning less likely to crack
The Sapphire glass is the most SCRATCH resistant–meaning less likely to get scratched
So if impact is your issue, go with the Ion-X glass
Thank you for the review. Undoubtedly the most honest and clarifying I’ve read so far. Now I am pretty sure which one to buy!
Really? “Exorcise”????
*facepalm*