Apple Watch Series 8: Stainless steel vs aluminum

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Apple Watch Series 8: Stainless steel vs Aluminum
Apple released the Apple Watch Series 8 last year, and even though it's a couple of months old now, people are still wondering which model to buy. Apple made the decision a bit easier by offering fewer options with this series, including the budget-friendly new Apple Watch SE, the standard stainless steel or aluminum Apple Watch 8, and the luxurious titanium Apple Watch Ultra

UPDATE: Oh, by the way, the technological clock never stops ticking. Apple released the Apple Watch Series 9, so you have another generation to be excited and read about. Let's not forget the Apple Watch Ultra 2. With that being mentioned and out of the way, it's time to continue.

Now that the options have been narrowed down, let's examine the differences between the vanilla model in more detail.


Apple Watch: Stainless steel vs aluminum

Apple Watch Series 8 aluminum

  • GPS only, GPS + Cellular options
  • Weight: 32.0g (41mm), 38.8g (45mm)
  • Display material: Ion-X strengthen glass
  • Colors: Midnight, Starlight, Silver and (Product)RED
  • Price: from $399

Apple Watch Series 8 stainless steel

  • GPS only, GPS + Cellular options
  • Weight: 42.3g (41mm), 52.5g (45mm)
  • Display material: sapphire crystal
  • Colors: Silver, Gold, and Graphite
  • Price: from $799

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Looking at the specs above it’s clear to see that the main difference lies in the weight, build materials, colors and price. So let’s break down the important ones first.

Let’s talk about durability for a second. Aluminum is a great material - it’s very lightweight, and also takes paint really nice, it can be anodized and so on. The only downside is that the grade of aluminum that tech companies use is pretty soft. It scratches easily and you can leave a dent into it with not much effort whatsoever.

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The glass situation is pretty similar - the Ion-X strengthened glass is a hardened version of normal glass but it still scratches and it can also break. That’s what $399 will get you in terms of materials.

On the other side of the dollar spectrum, $799 will make things much more solid, metaphorically and also literally speaking. Stainless steel is much harder, scratch resistant and shiny material. But it’s also much denser and heavier than aluminum (stainless steel aircrafts are rare as unicorns).

Sapphire glass is also much harder than normal glass, and also harder than Apple’s Ion-X strengthened glass as well. It’s not natural sapphire but a lab-produced compound with the same chemical formula and crystal structure.

The less important differences concern the color options - the aluminum version is available in Midnight, Starlight, Silver and (Product)RED, while the Stainless Steel can be purchased in Silver, Gold, and Graphite.

Which one should you buy?


Given the GPS + cellular options on both models, as well as the 41mm and 45mm cases also available in both materials, it all boils down to how sturdy and scratch resistant you want your watch to be.

Money, of course, is a big factor as well, you can have the aluminum variant for almost half the price of the stainless steel one. And lastly, the weight - if you’re not comfortable with heavy watches, maybe you should opt for the aluminum case.

For the adventurous types out there, and if you want the maximum available protection for your new Apple Watch, the new Apple Watch Ultra is the logical choice. 

Apple Watch Series 8, 41mm, is available at Amazon

The Apple Watch Series 8 with a 41mm case and GPS is now available at Amazon. The wearable goes at its regular price.

Apple Watch Series 8, 45mm, Starlight: now 10% off on Amazon

The bigger Apple Watch Series 8 in Starlight is now available at 10% off on Amazon. This is the GPS model. Don't miss out on this chance to save some money on your new Apple smartwatch.

Apple Watch Ultra: get at Amazon and save 8%

The rugged Apple Watch Ultra is available at Amazon. Currently, some paintjobs sell at 8% off.

Apple Watch Series 8 price and availability:

  • Watch Series 8 aluminum 41mm GPS: starts at $399
  • Watch Series 8 aluminum 45mm GPS: starts at $429
  • Watch Series 8 aluminum 41mm GPS + cellular: starts at $499
  • Watch Series 8 aluminum 45mm GPS + cellular: starts at $529
  • Watch Series 8 stainless steel 41mm GPS + cellular: starts at $799
  • Watch Series 8 stainless steel 45mm GPS + cellular: starts at $849

Apple Watch Ultra price and availability:

  • Watch Ultra stainless steel 49mm GPS + cellular: starts at $799

What to look out for when choosing between stainless steel and aluminum


Strength and Durability: Stainless steel is generally stronger and more durable than aluminum. It has higher tensile strength and better resistance to impact and deformation. This makes stainless steel suitable for applications that require robustness and structural integrity, great for cases and chassis of various electronic devices that should resist wear and tear.

Corrosion Resistance: Stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion and rust due to the presence of chromium. Aluminum also has good corrosion resistance but requires surface treatments or coatings to enhance its protection against corrosion. Most smartwatches made of aluminum have different coatings to protect the material.

Weight: Aluminum is significantly lighter than stainless steel. Its low density makes it an ideal choice when weight reduction is crucial, making it great for wearable devices. Stainless steel, being denser, is relatively heavier.

Cost: Aluminum is generally less expensive than stainless steel. The cost of stainless steel can vary depending on the specific grade and alloy composition. This is reflected in the Apple Watch 8 series price, as the stainless steel options are generally more expensive than the aluminum ones.

Appearance: Stainless steel has a characteristic metallic luster and is available in various finishes, including polished, brushed, or matte. Aluminum can also exhibit a metallic shine but is often used with coatings or anodization for enhanced aesthetics and protection.

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