Aluminum vs stainless steel apple watch, which is the best material to choose for your We’ll go over the advantages and disadvantages of each choice, including the Apple Watch.
Although titanium and ceramic were options for the Apple Watch from Series 2 to 7, aluminum and stainless steel have remained the most popular and hotly contested watch materials.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at two of these variants to help you decide which one is more suited for your budget and preferences.
Table of Contents
Weight
On average, stainless steel is two-and-a-half times more dense than aluminum, making it the heavier of the two cases. The stainless steel version of the Apple Watch Series 7 weighs 42.3 grams, compared to 32 grams for the 41mm aluminum watch, which is roughly 10 grams heavier.
Aluminum is the material of choice for you if you dislike how heavy your watch feels on your wrist or if your wrist is smaller than average. If you’re an athlete or regularly work out, the lighter finish is also advantageous.
Display
A sapphire crystal display is included with the stainless steel Apple Watch. This is a tough and rigid material, giving the display good protection and high resistance to scratches. The only substance that can break through sapphire crystal is diamond.
Ion-X strengthened glass, which is used in the aluminum Apple Watch and is less durable than sapphire crystal, makes it more vulnerable to significant scratches.
Style
The stainless steel Apple Watch is the fancier option when compared to the aluminum. It has a shiny, glistening surface with an aesthetic finish. The stainless steel edition is ideal for you if you’re a fan of traditional watches or want something eye-catching.
However, the aluminum Apple Watch is in no way less attractive. The aluminum Apple Watch is the better choice if you prefer matte over shiny finishes.
Durability and Strength
Compared to stainless steel, the aluminum case might be more susceptible to significant, noticeable scratches as it is softer than stainless steel. It is still very difficult to break an aluminum case on impact, so this is not a major problem.
Aluminum typically has a benefit when it comes to how minor blemishes and micro-abrasions appear. Although the aluminum case is not scratch-resistant, it has a sleek, matte finish that prevents even the smallest scratches from being seen.
Stainless steel is much harder than aluminum, thus preventing it from cracking or shattering on impact. This makes it more resilient, especially when used in sports or other physical activities. But because of its glossy surface, it is more vulnerable to tiny dings and micro-abrasions. Thankfully, when wearing a Graphite Apple Watch, the scratches are barely noticeable. However, if you have a Silver Apple Watch, the scratches are quite noticeable.
The shiny stainless steel surface makes fingerprints more noticeable as well. You can solve this problem by getting an Apple Watch case or cover from the large variety available only.
Additionally, proper maintenance is required, so be sure to regularly clean your Apple Watch.
GPS and Cellular Connectivity
Although aluminum and stainless steel Apple watches are identical across many key features, there are some differences between them in this category. GPS + cellular functionality is available on every Apple Watch model with a stainless steel case.
A stainless steel case version with GPS-only features is not available. Users who don’t want cellular capabilities may find this a little inconvenient because they will need to purchase a monthly data plan if they want a stainless steel model.
Charger
Aluminum and stainless steel Apple Watch models come with the same charger and have identical charge times. The charge times are one more aspect that is dependent on the specific Apple Watch model.
For instance, Series 7 models require about 45 minutes to reach 80% battery and about 75 minutes to charge completely. The charging time for SE models is about 1.5 hours to 80% and 2.5 hours to 100%. All case designs use the same numbers.
Price Points
Each watch series has different price points, but there is a general pattern when contrasting Apple Watch models made of aluminum and stainless steel. Comparatively speaking, aluminum versions are less expensive than stainless steel ones.
The least expensive aluminum Apple Watch for the Series 3 is $199. Only refurbished models in stainless steel are offered for sale at the lowest price of $469.
The Series 7 Apple Watch is available for as little as $399 in aluminum and $699 in stainless steel. However, only one stainless steel watch is available at that price point and the others average at $749, with some being as much as $1399.
Aluminum Or Stainless Steel: Which Apple Watch Should You Buy?
Which one do we suggest you buy based on this aluminum vs stainless steel Apple Watch comparison?
If you want a cheaper alternative, a greater variety of colors, a matte finish with minimal scratching, and a lightweight Apple Watch, then the aluminum model is perfect for you. If you want to upgrade to a newer model every year or so, this is also the more cost-effective choice.
If you’re willing to invest more money for a fancier, more lustrous Apple Watch with a classic design, highly resistant material, and more weight to it, make sure to opt for the stainless steel Apple Watch instead.
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FAQs
Is Aluminium Or Stainless Steel Better for Apple Watch?
Whether you’re talking about the casing or display, the stainless steel model offers better materials.
Does the Aluminum Apple Watch Scratch Easily?
The most flexible and affordable material is aluminum. Although it is the weakest material, it does not seem to scratch as easily as the stainless steel version.
Does Apple Watch Stainless Steel Scratch Easily?
Unlike aluminum watches, which have a different composition screen (iON-X), every stainless steel watch has a sapphire crystal, making it very difficult to scratch.
