While titanium and ceramic options have made guest appearances from Series 2 through 7 Apple Watch, aluminum and stainless steel have been consistent and are the most commonly purchased and discussed watch materials.
The technical characteristics of these two materials show slight differences, but other characteristics – such as price points, durability, weight and style – differ drastically. If you are unsure which of the two is the better option, here is a detailed guide to help you in your search.
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durability and strength
Compared to stainless steel, the aluminum case may be more prone to clear, noticeable scratches because it’s softer than stainless steel. This isn’t a huge problem though, as it’s still pretty difficult to shatter an aluminum case on impact.
Considering the occurrence of small scratches and micro-abrasion, aluminum tends to have an advantage. The aluminum case isn’t scratch-resistant, but has a smooth, matte finish that ensures the smallest scratches aren’t visible on the watch.
Stainless steel is much harder than aluminum, preventing it from cracking or shattering on impact. This makes it more durable, especially for use in sports or for use in other forms of physical activity. However, its shiny appearance makes it more susceptible to the smallest scratches and micro-abrasion. Luckily, the scratches aren’t too visible when wearing the Graphite Apple Watch, although they’re quite noticeable on the silver color.
Fingerprints also show up better on the shiny stainless steel surface. You can solve this problem by purchasing an Apple Watch case or cover from the wide range that is only available.
Proper care is also necessary, so be sure to clean your Apple Watch regularly.
Weight
Stainless steel is on average two and a half times denser than aluminum, making it the heavier of the two cases. If you compare the two options for the Apple Watch Series 7, the stainless steel version is about 10 grams heavier than the aluminum version at 42.3 grams, compared to 32 grams for the 41mm aluminum watch.
If you don’t like feeling the weight of your watch on your wrist, or if you generally have a smaller wrist, aluminum is the best choice for you. The lighter finish is also beneficial if you are an athlete or exercise regularly.
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The stainless steel Apple Watch comes with a sapphire crystal display. This is a tough and stiff material that gives the display good protection and high scratch resistance. Sapphire crystal can only be penetrated by material hard as diamond.
The aluminum Apple Watch uses Ion-X strengthened glass, which isn’t as strong as sapphire crystal and is therefore more prone to large scratches.
style
The stainless steel Apple Watch is the fancier option compared to aluminum. It has a shiny, glittery surface with an aesthetic finish. If you’re a fanatic of traditional watches or are looking for something visually pleasing, then the stainless steel edition is for you.
On the other hand, the aluminum Apple Watch is no less eye-catching. If you prefer matte finishes over glossy ones, consider opting for the aluminum Apple Watch instead.
connectivity
The aluminum Apple Watch lets you choose GPS only or GPS and cellular, while the stainless steel Apple Watch lets you choose GPS and cellular only.
With a GPS-only watch, you can only receive calls and texts when you’re connected to your iPhone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. GPS and cellular watches allow you to access these features with or without your iPhone. The Series 7 lets you stream Apple Music and podcasts over GPS and cellular.
To access cellular benefits on your Apple Watch, you must pay for a monthly plan. Additionally, the availability of the GPS and cellular option automatically increases the price of the stainless steel Apple Watch even if you decide not to use cellular.
You can choose the GPS-only option for the aluminum Apple Watch and choose not to pay for a monthly plan. The price will also be lower due to the non-cellular option compared to stainless steel.
price points
Price points vary with each watch line, but a general trend can be seen when comparing the aluminum and stainless steel Apple Watch models. The aluminum versions are relatively cheaper than the stainless steel versions.
For Apple Watch Series 3, the lowest aluminum Apple Watch price is $199. The cheapest stainless steel version is only available remanufactured at $469.
For the Series 7, the lowest aluminum Apple Watch price is $399 and the stainless steel price is $699. However, only one stainless steel watch is available at this price point, and the others average $749, with some going as high as $1399.
Colours
Along with a good collection of Apple Watch bands, the case also offers some premium color options.
For the Series 7, the aluminum Apple Watch has a more extensive variety of colors. It comes in red, green, blue, midnight, and starlight colors, while the stainless steel Apple Watch is limited to gold, silver, black, and graphite.
Availability
Apple currently only sells three watch series: the Apple Watch Series 3, 7, and SE. All three of these collections have options for aluminum and stainless steel models. However, this does not apply to the Apple Watch Nike and Apple Watch Hermès collections within each series.
The Apple Watch Nike Series 7 and Apple Watch Nike SE are only available in the aluminum models, while the Apple Watch Hermès is only available in stainless steel.
charge the puck
The charging puck for the aluminum Apple Watch is made of plastic. This is thicker than the stainless steel loading puck for the stainless steel model which has a smooth finish.
Aluminum or stainless steel: which Apple Watch should you buy?
There are many factors to consider when deciding between the two and both materials have advantages and disadvantages to cater to each person’s personal preference.
If you want a cheaper alternative, more color variety, a matte finish with minimal scratches, and a lightweight Apple Watch, then the aluminum model is perfect for you. It’s also the more economical option if you plan on upgrading to a newer model every year or so.
If you’re willing to spend more money for a fancier, shinier Apple Watch with a classic design, highly durable material, and heavier weight, you should go for the stainless steel Apple Watch instead.
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