Need buying advice

[SWFLFFPM]

I have decided to buy the 38mm watch.

My main concern is durability and protecting the screen/watch from damage.

I am not concerned about fashion.

That said, I don't like the sport band so was considering buying that level watch and changing the band but am unsure if the upgrade to the next level to stainless steel and sapphire crystal would be better for damage avoidance.

I am also considering a screen protector and bumper case.

Thoughts?

 

[Bigeric23]

Whichever Apple Watch you choose, purchase AppleCare+.

 

[SWFLFFPM]

Yes I was planning on that.

 

[kazp3r17]

I have the sport in the 42mm. I use a screen protector from spigen(can get 3 on eBay for 4 bucks) and a case. It does the job I wear it cutting grass, etc. it's had a few hard bangs with the direct impact to the screen from steel counter corners but only damage was done to the screen protector



Sent from my iPhone 6 Space~G using Tapatalk

 

[Flow39]

I don't worry about protecting my Sport's screen. I do have a few very small scratches in the oleophobic coating on mine, but they are virtually unnoticeable. The body is fine, but my white band is starting to discolor on the bottom where it is constantly rubbing against stuff.

 

[jschu22]

Consider the band you plan on purchasing also. Some of them may not look great when paired with the Sport model.

 

[Microcosmos]

I recommend a sport band for comfort. It is more comfortable than the leather loop, which I also have. I haven't worn my steel band yet but I plan to tomorrow just to show it to a friend who wants to see it. I plan on wearing that one on formal occasions only most often, for both comfort and fear of damage reasons. The sport band is not cheap, and it is the best at keeping your wrist from feeling clammy of the three that I have tried. As for the watch itself, the steel is nice but it smudges easily. I haven't scratched it yet but I definitely keep it in my pocket when doing anything that involves tools or grease or chemicals. I'm thinking you wouldn't have to worry about smudges so much with the aluminum, but should have a pocket handy for that one too when doing your dirty work.

 

[bamf-hacker]

I have the 42mm Sport and until the other day used a screen protector. I took it off because I like the look and feel of the glass. The Ion-X is the same glass that is on my iPhone and that is scratch free since launch day.

As long as you are careful I would not worry about that. If you are very worried then the Watch has the sapphire display and that will not scratch easily, but is more prone to breakage. So really 6 of one, half dozen of the other.

Get the one that looks the best to you that you can afford and Apple Care

 

[SWFLFFPM]

Why do you say the sapphire is more prone to breakage?

 

[bamf-hacker]

Sapphire is more scratch resistant, but if you drop it or bang it the glass is more likely to crack. Ion-X is the opposite, it is more likely to scratch, but less likely to crack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwGtotCd_IA

 

[kataran]

To put you at ease I just got back from a camping trip of three days of wild fun and had my 38mm sport on the whole time except for a quick charge

I slept with it on build fires with it on. It got banged around a lot I even dropped it under my van when attempting to charge it. Spilled clam juice all over it got in a wrestling match while wearing it even banged my wrist on a tree and it still looks like I just took it out of the box

 

[tech_fan]

I have the 42mm sport. When I went to the Apple store, the watch that motivated me to move from Android Wear was the Apple Watch with the blue leather loop. When it came time to order it, it was hard to rationalize a $700 purchase on something that might be replaced within 6 months to a year so, I purchased the Watch sport with the green band. I figured if I wanted to upgrade the watch to the apple watch with the leather loop, I could do that within the 14 day return period.

It is now the 14th day of wearing the sport. I have bought 2 other sport bands and have gone back to the Apple Store to wear the leather loop. Now the leather loop does not feel as comfy as the sport band does so, the sport is the one that I will stay with. Maybe down the road, I will get the leather loop.

I have a Spigen clear case on it now. I got the Rugged Armor and tried that on. Seemed like too much protection for the watch so, I returned it. Also, there are people reporting that if you elect to go with the Stainless Steel, avoid adding the case. Dirt and dust gets trapped between the case and watch and scratches it.

 

[tech_fan]

Forgot to also mention, that I work out everyday. I have banged it on the treadmill, elliptical and against a wall. Not a scratch and as good as new. Only on 2 occasions did it not have a case when i banged it. No visible scratches on the screen and body.

Btw, there is a video on youtube somewhere that shows someone taking sandpaper, knife etc,, to the Watch sport and regular Apple watch. both devices held up well on all tests, the sandpaper test did not fair as well for either device. The Apple Watch did better with the Sapphire crystal with the sandpaper but not by much.

Also, when I bought my first smartwatch 2 years ago, I used a screen protector. I hated the looks on it and so, i removed it. Each device when I sold it, never had a scratch on it.

 

[Dave Marsh]

As others have said, the ion-x glass (Gorilla Glass) on the watch sport model will scratch fairly easily, much like the iPhone screen will. The sapphire crystal on the stainless steel model will not scratch at all, unless you rub either a diamond or another sapphire over its surface, but since it's a crystal, it will shatter if struck just right.

My stainless steel watch has a few minor scratches on the metal surface after two months of daily use, but the watch face remains pristine. A buffing cloth (~$10 on Amazon) will remove the scratches from the stainless steel in a few minutes, since it has a smooth surface. They're so minor at this point that I haven't bothered yet. A friend of mine dropped his stainless steel watch, and a corner of the crystal shattered, but not the whole face. He's getting it replaced with AppleCare.

I purchased mine with the stainless link bracelet, but only wear it occasionally when I go out. Day to day, I wear either the white or black fluoroelastomer (rubber) band around the house, during exercise, and the like. I also like the black leather loop, which I find the most comfortable, and it's also a dress up option for dining out.

If you can use the larger 42mm watch, it has a slightly better screen, and room for a larger internal battery, which translates into more potential runtime. However, I've never put it back on the charger after an 18 hour period with less than 20% remaining.