The Apple Watch is usable in three variations ; Watch Sport , Apple Watch and Watch Edition , with the latter starting at £ 8,000 . With the Watch Sport and Apple Watch have much lower accounting entry compass point , £ 299 and £ 479 respectively , we decided to compare the two to find out what it is that you ’re paying for , and what the differences are between the two models .
See also : Apple Watch ReviewandHow to bribe or pre - order the Apple Watch
Watch Sport vs Apple Watch: Price difference
Let ’s first talk about the price divergence between the two models . The Apple Watch Sport is Apple ’s entry peak , starting at £ 299 or £ 339 depending on whether you need the 38 mm or 42 mm version .
If you choose the Watch Sport , you ’ll have a selection of fluoroelastomer circle to select from . There is also a choice of plain aluminium or a darker Space Grey finish to the watch case . It ’s worth noting that the Space Grey Apple Watch Sport is the only Sport watch to ship with a black Sport Band . You do have the option to buy a different Sport Band singly for £ 39 .
The Apple Watch starts at a more or less higher price of £ 479 , with the most expensive in the category price at £ 949 . The cost that you pay for an Apple Watch is almost altogether pendant on the wristband that you choose to accompany it .
Where the Apple Watch Sport only offers silicone sport bands , there ’s a much wider alternative of premium watchband available for the Apple Watch . That ’s not to say that you ca n’t get a summercater set with the Apple Watch if you require one , as the brassy Apple Watch ( £ 479/519 calculate on size ) get along with either a pitch-black or white play band .
See also : Complete guide to the Apple Watch
Watch Sport vs Apple Watch: Same function, different materials
Even though there ’s a jump in price between the Watch Sport and Apple Watch ( not as heavy as the jumping between Watch & Edition ) , there ’s no difference in the capabilities of any of the watches . The £ 299 Apple Watch Sport does exactly the same thing as the £ 13,500 Watch Edition – it ’s mainly aesthetic change .
The Apple Watch Sport is crafted from anodised aluminium , remindful of the iPhone 5/5s . Apple has reasons for this alternative of stuff – it claims the aluminium admixture is 60 percent potent than standard metal , but is also very light , 30 percent sluttish than the Apple Watch in fact . This makes it ideal for the Watch Sport ’s elemental function , being a fitness tracker . No one wants to wear upon a bulky watch when exercising ; it needs to be scant and lasting .
The Apple Watch is craft from stainless steel , immediately giving it a more exchange premium aspect than the Watch Sport – the mirror finish in spades adds to its appeal . The Apple Watch was designed specifically for every day usance and untarnished steel is a long-lived material . Apple takes this durability a whole tone further , cold forging the unstained steel to make it around 80 percentage hard than it would otherwise be ( accord to Apple ) . It ’s heavier than the Watch Sport , but that may be an satisfactory compromise if you want a more durable model .
With regards to the showing , the Watch Sport has drawn the short straw . Where the Watch and Watch Edition both have tough Sapphire Glass , the Watch Sport boasts strengthen Ion - go methamphetamine hydrochloride . Apple lay claim the rationality behind this was to make the Sport poser as light as potential , but also wanted to verify it was kale and impact resistant .
How was this attain ? Prepare for a scientific discipline moral : According to Apple , the glass is gird at a molecular degree through ion exchange , a appendage that replaces small ions with larger one . The destruction result ? A surface bed that the company claims is far tough than ordinary glass .
Even stronger than Ion - X drinking glass is the sky-blue glass used in the Apple Watch mannequin . aside from baseball diamond , sapphire is the hardest crystalline cloth in the human beings , which should mean ultimate protection for the watch display . The manufacture process is intricate ; Apple has said that the watch crystal is harvested using a tenuous infield - cutting conducting wire , which is then preciseness machine into its last form and milled forhoursto achieve its smooth , sheeny finish .
In their tests Consumer Reports ( the US combining weight of Which ) were able-bodied to inscribe the Sport after some pretty utmost scrape , but claimed they could n’t scratch the lazuline sieve at all . understand : How to repair a break Apple Watch : Will Apple repair or replace a rub / smash / piss damaged Apple Watch
See also : Apple Watch buying template and cost list
Watch Sport vs Apple Watch: Which watchstraps are available?
Upholding the musical theme is that the Apple Watch Sport is to be used mainly for sporting natural action , the only strap available at purchase is a athletics band . You loosely have a selection between white , blue , gullible or pink , unless , as advert earlier , you opt for the Space Grey alternative in which case it ships with a bootleg sports band .
The mutation band itself is made from a “ custom in high spirits - performance fluorelastomer ” which Apple claims makes the banding durable and strong , but soft and comfortable to wear . discover as quiet but slow , the sport band uses a pin - and - tuck blockage to control a proficient scene . The only issue is that it is n’t the most aesthetically pleasing watchstrap , and compared to the other types of strap usable , it look quite cheap ( we also wonder how long it will be before these safe circle start to look a bit dingy ) .
The Apple Watch boasts a much larger variety of watchstraps , let in the sports bands available for the Watch Sport , as well as strap made from leather and stainless steel in various agiotage designs . As name in the first place , the choice of watchstrap is reflected in the price you yield – but at least you have the selection to pick out from premium watch bracelet , unlike with the Watch Sport . you’re able to choose from :
The wide selection of watchstraps means that you may customise your Apple Watch . While a leather loop may be minimize and well-heeled for every twenty-four hour period utilization , special occasion may call for a Milanese cringle or a tie bracelet .
mention that the leather loop watchband does n’t come in a 38 mm variation and is only available for the 42 mm model – do n’t interest though , all other straps are useable in both sizes .
The good thing is that the Apple Watch goes perfectly with any style of watchstrap , which is partially down to its unstained steel , mirror finish . It look like itbelongson a premium watchband .
See also : Apple Watch 2 Wishlist
Read : How to force chuck up the sponge an Apple Watch app
Watch Sport vs Apple Watch: Can I attach a premium strap to the Apple Watch Sport?
Despite the popular notion that you ca n’t attach a premium strap to an Apple Watch Sport , you may – it ’s just that Apple does n’t provide you the opportunity during purchase . It look that Apple is offering customisation of the Apple Watch , but only with lookout and shoulder strap jazz group that the company has pre - approved .
While the sports ring are moderately cheap , come in at £ 39 , there are declamatory price increase when you count at the premium straps . The Graeco-Roman buckle , leather cringle and Milanese loop all cost £ 129 , with the price jumping up to £ 209 for the advanced warp and an optic water £ 379 for the link bracelet .
While it is potential to wear premium strap with the Apple Watch Sport , it may not be deserving it . Why ? It might look like you’re able to make unnecessary money by purchasing the £ 379 link bracelet and a £ 339 Space Grey Apple Watch for £ 718 , rather than spending £ 949 on Apple ’s official Watch and data link bracelet combo , it might not be as aestetically pleasing . This is due to the fact that the link bracelet is made from stainless steel metal – like the Apple Watch case , entail that its integrating is unlined and contributes to the premium look of the Watch . Paired with the anodised Al Watch Sport , it may look mismatched – a big offspring for some , specially with a fashionable twist .
That ’s not to say that the other straps would n’t front good on the Watch Sport . We personally like the Space Grey Watch Sport and black leather cringle jazz group , but it ’s down to personal preference . There ’s anunofficial Apple Watch websitewhere you’re able to mix and touch the different watches and straps to help you choose which strap to purchase .
See also : Apple Watch Accessories Roundup
Watch Sport vs Apple Watch: Can I customise the colour of my Apple Watch?
So , will there be any means to tailor-make your Apple Watch or Watch Sport ? We ’ve spoken to Riki , the MD ofMendMyiwho has enounce that the material used for the Watch and Watch Edition means that the company wo n’t be able to customise them . The good news is that the troupe wants to try and re - anodise the Watch Sport model , and add the option to theirColour Labservice .
If successful , MendMyi will be able-bodied to pop the question the same colour choice for the Watch Sport that they presently offer for the iPhone 5/5s . Riki also confirm that the fellowship would seek to offer a atomic number 79 option to replicate the £ 13,500 Watch Edition , but it ’s all down to how the Apple Watch is defy together .
