Upgraded from a watch 6 to Ultra 2. Currently using a Raptic 360x glass hybrid screen protector plus rubber bumper. I prefer that kind of protection for my watches. However, touch response can be frustrating at times. Also the crown is hard to turn. I removed the protector for a while yesterday just to measure how much better it was. Much much better.
Looking for recommendations and comments. Thanks.
***The Raptic 360x (shown here with some other watch) ***
I hate to be that person, but any chance you can be convinced to not use a case/protector?
I’ve had Ultra 1 since the day it came out and I’m not easy on my watches, but I’ve had no issues with the screen or case. Maybe a small knick on the case, but that’s it. These are tough watches and they are meant to be used.
I’d recommend not adding extra weight/bulk that degrades the experience. The strong case and sapphire glass will keep your watch looking great for years.
Seconding everything @HobbyCollector said. These watches are built with the same high-end materials that other watchmakers use when they profess theirs screens are scratch proof. You can buff out sapphire scratches too.
As far as shattering it, it’d have to be a hard fall, and the shatter point likely isn’t on the display. So a screen protector won’t help you.
The real question is: would you buy a protector for a Rolex Submariner? They aren’t that different from a glass standpoint.
Me three.
I’ve had Apple Watches since v1. I’ve beat them up mercilessly at times. Rubbing the face against stone walls. Soil. Sand. Water. Never had a single scratch on any Watch face or case I’ve owned.
Katie
I don’t know if I’d use one on an Ultra, but my Series 9 aluminum has a convex crystal and softer glass, and I’m very happy with the Elkson Quattro 2.0 TPU case I put on it.
The crystal is protected by a raised edge around it, though there’s nothing covering the glass, so there’s no loss of sensitivity. I can swim with it, but I take it off and dry both afterward. I’m sure it significantly improves shock absorption and reduces the chance of scratches and abrasion.
The buttons are just as easy to push as on a bare watch. Turning the crown is a bit harder, but I mostly swipe the screen instead. If that’s important to you, see the Otterbox case, which looks like it’s cut out more around the crown.
I agree with what others have said here (mostly, see note below). I did use a protector a short while as I was concerned, but if you’re in/around water regularly (and that includes rain and washing up!) it traps moisture against the screen and device which I assume is bad in the long-term.
I do disagree with this point: I smashed an Apple Watch screen by dropping the watch from maybe 1m on to block paving, and I’ve cracked one by swinging my arm and hitting a brick wall (my arm didn’t enjoy that one so much either). However, I do agree that most expensive watches would suffer from those actions as well, and in both examples the cause is clearly me being careless and not a failure of the device (top tip: don’t play with your watch strap when you’re on a hard surface).
After this discussion I am compromising: I don’t have the protector on most of the time. However, I’m heading to the rock gym for some indoor sport climbing. The protector is on.
That’s what I like about the Elkson case I mentioned above: there’s nothing over the screen and it’s easy to put on and take off. (I can also easily change bands without taking it off.)
It’s supposed to add 8 foot drop protection. I’m glad I have it on every time my watch hits a door frame or something.
Btw, it’s too bad Apple recommends not wearing the watch on the inside of your wrist due to the sensors. That would make it less vulnerable.
What Apple Watch did you shatter? Stainless, aluminum, the Ultra? Aluminum wouldn’t surprise me; the glass is much softer and easy to scratch. The others have different glass materials that should make shattering the display much harder, so I’d be surprised to hear it’s one of them.
People do sometimes scratch and break the Ultras and stainless models, though. The sapphire glass, though more scratch resistant, may actually be easier to crack or shatter because it’s harder and thus more brittle than Ion-X glass.
Otoh, the Ultra’s glass is flat and flush with the frame, so it’s a bit less exposed than the convex glass in the standard models.
Hmm. Good to know. I overestimate the quality of the sapphire glass, apparently. I will have to consider getting AppleCare. I would much rather that than a screen protector.
