I think the Apple Watch casing is a matter of cosmetics. Durability and aesthetics are the main reasons you should buy a stainless steel Apple Watch. Although it is durable, the stainless steel Apple Watch is replaced every one or two years with upgraded models. With that in mind, is the stainless steel Apple Watch worth it?

Yes, the stainless steel Apple Watch is worth it. The stainless steel Apple Watch is worth it because it’s durable and does not scratch easily. And as the name suggests, stainless steel cannot rust. It will take longer, perhaps years, to realize any significant damage to your Apple Watch hardware. However, it is not worth it if you will upgrade soon. 

Apple releases smartwatch upgrades every year or two.

Unless you are planning to wear your Apple Watch for more than two years, the constant smartwatch upgrades will make your Apple Watch obsolete: whether it is made from stainless steel or aluminum.

But don’t worry. In this article, I will tell you why the stainless steel Apple Watch is worth it.

by the way I’m using apple watch 7

Why stainless steel Apple watch is worth it?

What I mean by “worth it,” is the value you get for your money. Is there a difference between the person who buys a stainless steel Apple Watch Series7 and an aluminum Apple Watch Series7 or the Including Apple Watch 9 and Ultra? I mean, there is a very huge price difference between the two. The former is $279 more expensive than the latter.

Here are some reasons why the stainless steel Apple Watch is worth it:

Durability

A stainless steel Apple Watch is much stronger and more durable than aluminum Apple Watches. Stainless steel can withstand powerful impacts that could otherwise cause damage to your Apple Watch. 

I remember the stainless steel Apple Watch Series3 I owned between 2019 and 2021. I fell from the bicycle and landed on my Apple Watch during a cycling exercise. The impact was so severe that I thought the smartwatch was dead. To my surprise, It did not even have a dent.

Unlike Aluminum, which is easy to bend and mold, stainless steel is pretty tough and has a long lifespan. It can withstand severe temperature, heat, freezing, and corrosion. 

Therefore, durability is one reason the stainless steel Apple Watch is worth it. With the correct care, Apple’s yearly smartwatch upgrades will always find your stainless steel Apple Watch intact and free from wear and tear. 

The smartwatch can stay in perfect working condition for over four years.

Personal aesthetics

Aesthetics is the second reason a stainless steel Apple Watch is worth it. It is no doubt that the polished stainless steel has an attractive appearance.

It is true that when I bought the Apple Watch S3 in 2019, I was attracted to the device by its aesthetics. I only realized later how durable it could be after wearing it for over three years. In short, the stainless steel Apple Watch gives you value in terms of aesthetics.

Scratch resistant

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, carbon, and other metals and nonmetals. Therefore a stainless steel Apple Watch is tough and does not scratch easily. It can sustain significant wear and tear without leaving any visible marks on the smartwatch.

However, constant directional polishing of the stainless steel can cause scratches that are difficult to hide.

I recommend using a microfiber cloth, a few drops of vinegar, and oil to clean your stainless steel Apple Watch casing. 

With proper care, a stainless steel Apple Watch will not scratch or have dents like an aluminum Apple Watch. The stainless steel Apple Watch is worth it if you don’t want a smartwatch that will fade and lose its luster fast. 

Low maintenance

As I mentioned, stainless steel Apple Watches are tough, strong, and durable. They do not scratch easily.

The intensity of the damage to the smartwatch might depend on the nature of your activities. For instance, your Apple Watch can suffer significant bruises if you are in active construction. 

However, a stainless steel Apple Watch is worth it because of its low maintenance. A good rule of thumb is not to wear the smartwatch during stressful activities that could hit, scratch, or dent it. When rubbing the Apple Watch, do it in the grain direction. 

Does Apple Watch stainless steel scratch?

Apple Watch stainless steel is scratch-resistant. The smartwatch will not register any significant damage in its coating.

However, certain factors accelerate the scratching and reduce your smartwatch’s aesthetic appearance.

Here are some things that will make it scratch faster:

1. Extreme temperature weakens stainless steel

It is a bad idea to wear a stainless steel Apple Watch to a place with high temperatures. Several studies show that extreme temperatures can erode the protective layer of stainless steel by compromising its oxidation resistance. 

Therefore, constant exposure to extreme temperatures will weaken the Apple Watch casing and leave it susceptible to scratch and rust. The stainless steel Apple Watch might not be worth it if you are working in high-temperature areas or hot rooms.

2. Rubbing the Apple Watch with the wrong cleaner

Caring for your stainless steel Apple Watch is essential for durability and cosmetics.

You should wipe your Apple Watch regularly to keep it glittering, shiny, and attractive. However, cleaning it with the wrong tool can worsen the scratches.

Before wiping your stainless steel Apple Watch, consider the grain direction.

Generally, grain direction is the alignment of the steel fibers on the Apple Watch as it passes through the manufacturing machine. 

Use a microfiber cloth, a few drops of vinegar, and oil to clean your stainless steel Apple Watch casing in the grain direction. Wiping opposite the grain direction will cause scratches to your stainless steel much faster.

How to protect stainless steel Apple Watch from scratches

Although it is scratch-resistant, you want to limit any chances of scratches in the future. Follow these tips to protect your stainless steel Apple Watch from scratches:

• Cover your Apple Watch screen with a tempered glass screen protector
• Apply liquid skin on your stainless steel Apple Watch
• Add a new layer of Apple Watch casing
• Clean stainless steel casing in the grain direction using microfiber cloth and olive oil

Final words

The stainless steel Apple Watch is worth it for its durability, aesthetics, good impression, and low maintenance. Although the smartwatch can last more than three years, Apple will upgrade it in one or two years. 

Therefore, you can consider a titanium or aluminum Apple Watch unless you don’t expect to upgrade your Apple Watch soon. 

Have you used the stainless steel Apple Watch before? Or do you have one? What are your thoughts? Do you think the stainless steel Apple Watch is worth it? 

Share with me in the comments section.