The Apple Watch and the Watch Edition both come with a sapphire glass display, whereas the more affordable Apple Watch Sport comes with Ion-X glass, which is a type of aluminosilicate glass. This difference in materials is one of the key factors that set these models apart in terms of durability and price.
We already saw a video of the Ion-X glass for the Watch Sport being tested for scratches, and now we have a video of the sapphire glass display on Apple’s new smartwatch being tested.
This video is a little more scientific than some of the videos we have seen. The sapphire glass display is tested with a diamond tester, which measures the hardness of the material. The display is tested against a sapphire display from a standard Swiss watch, providing a benchmark for comparison.
Understanding Sapphire Glass
Sapphire glass is renowned for its exceptional hardness and scratch resistance. On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, sapphire ranks just below diamond, making it one of the hardest materials available for watch displays. This makes it highly resistant to scratches from everyday objects like keys, coins, and even sand, which can easily scratch regular glass.
Apple has obviously managed to come up with a new production method for their sapphire displays for the Apple Watch. As we can see in the video, the score for the device was actually higher than that of the standard Swiss watch. This suggests that Apple’s sapphire glass may be of higher purity or better processed than traditional sapphire glass used in other high-end watches.
Comparing Ion-X Glass and Sapphire Glass
While sapphire glass is incredibly durable, it is also more expensive to produce. This is why Apple opted to use Ion-X glass for the Apple Watch Sport. Ion-X glass is chemically strengthened to be more resistant to impacts and scratches than regular glass, though it doesn’t quite match the hardness of sapphire.
Ion-X glass is lighter than sapphire, which can be an advantage for sports and fitness enthusiasts who prefer a lighter watch. However, it is more prone to scratches compared to sapphire glass. This trade-off between weight, durability, and cost is a key consideration for consumers when choosing between the Apple Watch models.
In addition to scratch resistance, sapphire glass also offers better optical clarity, which means the display looks clearer and more vibrant. This can enhance the overall user experience, especially when viewing the watch in bright sunlight or under harsh lighting conditions.
The choice between sapphire glass and Ion-X glass for the Apple Watch models boils down to personal preference and intended use. For those who prioritize durability and scratch resistance, the Apple Watch and Watch Edition with sapphire glass are the better options. On the other hand, the Apple Watch Sport with Ion-X glass offers a more affordable and lightweight alternative, making it ideal for active users.
The video testing the sapphire glass display on the Apple Watch provides valuable insights into the quality and durability of Apple’s materials. It is clear that Apple has invested significant effort into developing a high-quality sapphire glass that not only meets but exceeds industry standards.
Source: Unbox Therapy, Ubergizmo
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