We found the Apple Watch ’s touchscreen display to bebright and beautiful right off the at-bat , but how does it really perform ? According to areport done by inquiry group DisplayMate , it heap up nicely — but oddly enough , the Apple Watch Sport ’s tempered “ Ion - X ” display performs good than the lazuline watch crystal found on the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Edition . DisplayMate found that the cerulean display reflect about twice as much ambient light as glass—8.2 - percent coefficient of reflection compared to the Watch Sport ’s 4.6 percent — which lead to a wash off - out look with reduced contrast and color saturation when looking at the Watch under smart brightness level .

Most high - ending traditional scout also use sky-blue crystal since it is almost scratchproof , but the reflectance is n’t as boastful of a deal on a traditional watch face . When attend at the Apple Watch ’s full - color touch screen display , that ’s where reflectance will weigh . Apple uses an anti - glare and reflective coating , but the coat can be well excise off under normal habit , fit in to this report .

The Watch Sport , on the other script , apply the same methamphetamine hydrochloride as the iPhone 6 — an Ion - X strengthened scratch - resistant methamphetamine , very standardized to Corning Gorilla glassful — and handles brilliant brightness a spot better than its more - expensive Watch sister .

All three Watch models have a elastic OLED display bond to the sapphire crystallization cover of the Watch and Watch Edition or the Ion - X cover song glass of the Watch Sport .

Why this matter : If you bought a Watch or a Watch Edition , fear not : Its cerulean vitreous silica display is still first-class . DisplayMate ’s theme found it ’s color truth to be “ very well ” ( though with some colour errors in the naughty spectrum ) , its picture quality to be pleasing , and is a great side - by - side match with the iPhone 6 . However , you might lean into slight problem on a sunny day or under smart ambient light indoors — but it ’s nothing that a quick shading with your other hand ca n’t prepare . athletics users , wallow — you’ll have less problems with limelight , which will really come in handy when using your Watch Sport on outdoor lope or wheel rides .