I do n’t cogitate I ’m unwieldy , but I swing my arms a lot and still grimace every time a smartwatch on my articulatio radiocarpea hits an unmovable object . Yet , for all this movement , I ’ve never managed to deep scratch or lightly crack an Apple Watch show … until now .
TheApple Watch Series 10 does n’t have many compromise over the Apple Watch Ultra 2 , and I even made the switch permanently before this happen . It ’s big , thin , and beautiful , but theApple Watch Series 10also uses a less long-lasting protective carapace for its video display .
Is atomic number 13 less durable than titanium , at least in a way you’re able to feel ? What about the difference in the type of glass used ? Could these be factors in the damage to my watch , or was this just a one - off ? rent ’s grasp a bit deeper into what hap .
How durable is the Apple Watch Series 10?
The Apple Watch Series 10 is an unusual person . It ’s not Apple ’s most premium smartwatch — that ’s theApple Watch Ultra 2 — but Apple also had to go freehanded for the watch ’s tenth anniversary . The consequence is a vigil that ’s thin , lighter , and more premium - opinion than the Apple Watch Ultra 2 .
The Apple Watch Series 10 is half the price of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 , which means Apple had to make some trade - offs . These were n’t in the display , as the 1.96 - inch presentation is the biggest ever on an Apple Watch . The with child compromise is in the lastingness of the material used in the build .
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is MIL - STD 810H certified for protection against drops and sport sapphire crystal glass on the front , a titanium human body , and a ceramic / sky-blue crystal back . The Apple Watch Series 10 , meanwhile , use an aluminum frame with Ion - X drinking glass on the front . Then there ’s the atomic number 22 Series 10 , which costs almost the same as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and has a nicer sapphire show . I ’ve get the aluminum Series 10 , which theoretically is the least durable of the three .
How I think I broke my Apple Watch Series 10
It ’s strange . I can normally remember when a gadget may have been damage , but I ’m drawing a dummy on the Apple Watch Series 10 . There are no memorable drops or flush that I can recall . I thought I had protected it , at least until I noticed the prominent crack you may see in the picture above and below .
The sally is powerful along the top - left edge of the screen , and it ’s a inscrutable scratch or a abstemious snap that I err for a sluttish scratch . It feels like a shallow crack and quantity over half an inch , but there does n’t seem to be underlying damage .
It ’s a ignominy : I ca n’t stop noticing it , and it beleaguer me every fourth dimension I see it . The 1.96 - inch exhibit is the biggest ever on an Apple Watch , and measuring 9.4 mm , the Apple Watch Series 10 is impossibly sparse and light . It ’s the ideal Apple Watch for everyone , even if the battery life is n’t that impressive . I love using it , but this mysterious crack is putting a muffler on things .
A problem or just a one-off?
Thin does n’t always mean durable ; besides battery life , durability was my second main business concern . A magnanimous video display , a flimsy chassis , and the use of Ion - X instead of the more premium Ceramic Shield glass in the Ultra 2 all lend themselves to lower lastingness for the Series 10 .
To resolve whether this was a wider problem , I turned to my Digital Trends colleagues Joe Maring and Andy Boxall to realise their experiences using the Apple Watch Series 10 . Joe published our Apple Watch Series 10 recapitulation and has used it since , while Andyhas used both the aluminum and Ti versions .
I have n’t feel the need to spoil the Series 10 , I have self-confidence in its enduringness . — Andy Boxall
Joe has treated his atomic number 13 Series 10 similarly to mine with better final result . Despite slamming it against at least one wall , it still look make newfangled . He also has the Jet Black version , and thankfully , Apple has learned from the lesson of the Jet Black iPhone 7 , as there ’s no wear and tear , and it still seem as new .
Andy has been wearing thetitanium Apple Watch Series 10 — the replacement to the unstained blade version of previous geezerhood — since launching day . He ’s put it through the wringer , wearing it during everything from housework and handwashing elevator car to piece of furniture removals and a house folderol headroom . His titanium Series 10 and the accompany Milanese Loop still take care stain fresh as well , and he ’s sure-footed in its power to stay that room , say , “ I have n’t feel the need to baby the Series 10 , I have trust in its durability . ”
The case for the Titanium case
Andy has confidence in the durability of the Apple Watch Series 10 , and I think my experience makes a unattackable face to buy the more premium atomic number 22 model of the Series 10 . There are a few reasons why this makes sense , as long as bear the $ 300 - plus premium does n’t scare you .
First , there ’s the frame and style . The atomic number 13 entry - level Series 10 will most belike stand firm anything you could throw at it , but there ’s a sizeable jump in security offered by the titanium model . You keep the same adult , slight , and beautiful design , but you get good protection all - around .
secondly , there are the band . I have n’t tried the new titanium Milanese Loop , but I ’ve used the previous generation made from stainless sword for class , and this novel band matches the atomic number 22 Series 10 attractively ( as shown in the photo above ) .
last , there ’s included connectivity . If you ’re think of buying the aluminum model with GPS and cellular , it will cost you $ 499 . For $ 200 more , you could get the titanium model that comes with GPS and cellular radio include as standard .
One final thing to note
There ’s one last portion to this story : AppleCare+ . I love it , and I usually protect all of my products on a rolling annual basis . The one difference is normally the Apple Watch ; I often buy AppleCare+ on a monthly programme and scrub it after a few months . Thankfully , I had already purchased it for this Apple Watch .
For $ 4 per month ( or $ 79 for two year ) , it is ideal for scenario like this ( or worse ) . However , it ’s only covered against damage — there ’s no theft or exit protection like the iPhone — and each claim has a fee of $ 79 .
I ’ll probably use AppleCare+ to fix or exchange my damage Apple Watch , but unlike the iPhone or iPad , there ’s no immediate pickle available in - store . Instead , it will be institutionalize off to a repair depot , and it will likely take a week to be returned .
disregarding , if you ’re implicated about the durability of your new Apple Watch , do n’t be . My experience is an anomaly even among three of us who have put the Apple Watch Series 10 through its paces . If you ’re still implicated and your budget stretches to it , look at the atomic number 22 model , but if the premium is too high , AppleCare+ is a unspoiled alternative .
