Aluminum was once revered as better than Gold. Napoleon III of France used it as an exclusive banquet cutlery and reserved golden utensils. The pinnacle of Washington’s monolith was made of aluminum as a testament to the nation’s industrial symbol. This metal, light, and abundant since then, has become indispensable to most aspects of modern life. Before we go any further into details, let us understand how aluminum has come to dominate the market.
Why Aluminum is Everywhere in Our Lives?
Aluminum is a common material used in modern, and technological gadgets. Its low density, strength, and abundance make it optimum for a wide range of industrial as well as daily-use applications.
Aluminum is typically used in soda cans as well as in car bodies, airplanes, and even sophisticated smartphones. Your phone likely contains aluminum because it adds both endurance and style.
Stainless Steel: A Premium Alternative
The stainless steel machining is less likely to be damaged compared to aluminum and offers improved strength. However, it’s more or less famous for its non-corrosive characteristics and polished surface.
Due to high stainless steel machinability, it is about 45% stronger than standard aluminum. That’s why it’s used in products that need extra strength, like wristwatches, functional car components, and the latest smartphones.
When compared to aluminum, stainless steel features a higher capacity for absorbing scratch and bending strengths. However, the use of stainless steel is limited in smartphones compared to aluminum. (Read more about alloy steel vs stainless steel)
Why Are More Watches Not Made from Stainless Steel?
What is the most durable iPhone or Apple Watch? OR What Is the difference between stainless steel vs aluminum iPhone? The query is often asked by most people.
While it’s pretty obvious, strength is a key benefit of using stainless steel. However, due to the expensive material, for smartwatches, aluminum is the most convenient. Since it provides peculiar features and mutability.
Many smartwatches like the Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 8, and devices from Brands like Samsung, and OnePlusand use aluminum for these reasons.
However, it’s not as hard as stainless steel though. For most smartphones, strength isn’t a major concern. Aluminum has technically enough tensile strength to provide durability and it also has a smooth texture to give a premium look.
In addition, aluminum is weightless, which proves to be a benefit when it comes to creating portable electronic gadgets. For such aspects, the material can be used in efficient mass-scale products to meet market demands.
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Premium Smartwatches & Stainless Steel
Image Name: Stainless Steel-Made Apple Watch
Although aluminum is mostly used for Apple Watch manufacturing, stainless steel has not been limited to higher-end smartphones like the Apple Watch Series 4. The new Apple Watch Series 9 features a stainless steel frame, and it proved to be stronger compared to an aluminum one, as seen in the Apple Watch SE.
Nevertheless, stainless steel’s durability and strength have the disadvantage of being costly to manufacture. Therefore, aluminum seems to provide a more balanced combination of cost, quality, and weight benefits for mass-market phones.
Why do Watchmakers Choose Aluminum Over Stainless Steel?
Image Name: Aluminum Apple Watch
The primary reason why aluminum is heavily used in erecting smartwatches is its relatively low cost. It is costly as compared to stees per unit weight, but it’s more economical for weight-wise production.
A ton of aluminum can produce between 1.5 and 2.5 times the number of components as one ton of steel. This presents a large saving opportunity for the business. In addition to the benefits of aluminum, it is also easy to machine.
It is less harsh than stainless steel, making it easier to forge to the shape and form of the phone accessories. For instance, Apple’s Watch Series 7 body is made using CNC machining. Since this design uses stainless steel, it takes longer and costs more than using aluminum.
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Performance & Weight Benefits of Aluminum
Aluminum is not only cheaper but also lighter than stainless steel, making smartphones weigh less. The lighter phones are easier to carry. Aluminium also can be colored with far less difficulty, giving it more mobility in design.
Also, it’s better to be electrically conductive to transfer heat away from secondary parts during the operation of the device. For these reasons, aluminum still forms the backbone of most smartphones. Hence, accompanied by low cost, better heat treatment, and lighter weight aluminum remains popular.
Understanding Aluminum Alloys: What’s Inside?
Purified aluminum is not often employed in smartphones. Aluminium isa soft metal, and as such, it is blended with other metals to increase its rigidity. Conventionally, aluminum accounts for not less than 85% of all these alloys, but the composition can be tweaked depending on the requirements.
Currently, around 500 aluminum alloy types are known to exist, and all these differ from each other. These alloys are usually referred to by a four-digit number with the first digit representing the series and the metal properties. For instance, the thin aluminum foil you find in the kitchen comes from alloy 1050 or 1100 which is nearly 100% aluminum.
Higher-grade aluminum materials, like the 3004 series used for soda cans, contain manganese mixed with aluminum for greater hardness.
Aluminum Alloys in Apple Smartwatches: Series Breakdown
Image Name: Aluminum Apple Watch Stand
Alloys commonly used in smartphone construction include the 6000-series and 7000-series materials. These alloys are optimal for bearing the stress in smartphones are likely to experience.
The 6000 series aluminum contains silicon and magnesium, giving the strength, and weightless features. Apple uses its standard 6000-series for all devices.
But for more premium phones 7000 series alloys are used. These alloys when alloyed with zinc possess excellent strength and are used in newer-generation electronic devices.
In the Apple Watches, a special version of the 7000 series aluminum was applied; while for iPhones Apple used a similar approach with customized 7000 series to maximize durability.
Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel: Key Considerations for Apple Watch Buyers
The sparkly edge on the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra isn’t just due to cases. There are aluminum and stainless steel types of models, with durability not being a concern as most people use cases. The key difference is weight—aluminum is much lighter than stainless steel.
If you’re upgrading from the Apple Watch Series 6 or SE, you’ll notice the new aluminum watch feels lighter. Stainless steel doesn’t offer significant benefits for phones, and the 7000-series aluminum is more than sufficient for everyday use.
Brands like Samsung use aluminum for its lightness and functionality in their Galaxy Watch Series. Apple, however, prioritizes the premium look of stainless steel for higher-end models like the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra, despite the overweight concerns.
Aluminum also has better heat conduction, keeping devices cooler. Both materials are equally scratch-resistant, but stainless steel can be buffed, while aluminum can’t.
In smartwatches, 7000-series aluminum provides more practical benefits than stainless steel, though stainless steel is an advantage for adding durability and extra features like sapphire glass.
Apple Watch Aluminum Vs Stainless Steel: Series 8 and 9 Comparison
The Apple Watch Series 8 and 9 come in two materials: aluminum and stainless steel. Aluminum is lighter and cheaper, making it a great choice for users seeking comfort at a reasonable price. However, it’s less durable and prone to scratches and dents in general. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is heavier, more rigid, and scratch-resistant, and offers a premium finish.
However, both materials comprise functionality and the battery is the same. When comparing the apple watch series 9 aluminum vs stainless steel, usually, aluminum models come in variant color options. In comparison, stainless steel provides sleek finishes in silver, gold, and graphite.
In addition, aluminum also disperses heat better, keeping it cooler on the wrist. Ultimately, your choice comes down to weight, durability, and price preferences.
Apple Watch Price Comparison: Aluminum Vs Stainless Steel
Apple watch prices vary significantly depending on the model and its material: aluminum or stainless steel. The aluminum models are comparingly cheaper. Generally, the Apple Watch SE costs around $249. And, the Apple Watch Series 8 in aluminum starts from $399 for the initial model.
The stainless steel version on the other hand begins at $699 making it a high-end product compared to the other. Of course, consider the extra features and durability of the stainless steel model when deciding if the price difference is worth it for you.
Aluminum Vs Stainless Steel: Which Apple Watch Should You Buy?
When selecting the stainless steel vs aluminum Apple Watch model, there are several factors to be considered. If you want a slim profile of a phone, multiple color options, and affordability then the aluminum-made watch is perfect for you. Moreover, it has a dull surface on it which can make scratches and marks to be hidden easily.
On the other hand, if you agree to spend more on a fancy looking and slightly heavier and sturdier gadget, then the stainless steel Apple Watch would be the right choice for you. If still have no choice? Don’t fret! Contact Prolean Tech right away!
Prolean Tech specializes in high-precision aluminum vs stainless machining and customized solutions. Call us today to find out more about how we can fulfill your exact needs.
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