Your Apple Watch spends all day on your wrist, brushing against desks, door frames, backpack straps and gym equipment. Even the newest, toughest models are not immune. Here's what Apple's new Series 12 and Ultra 4 offer, how durable they really are, and how to protect the screen without hiding the design.
Apple Watches Pick Up Scratches Easily
A watch you wear every day takes a lot of small knocks from desks, door frames, backpack straps and gym equipment. Recently, one Reddit user posted about a chipped Apple Watch Ultra 4. He just opened the box and attached the wristband. It's not a new problem: owners of earlier Apple Watch models have posted about scratches and scuffs for years. In one Apple Community thread, an original Apple Watch Ultra owner said that lightly grazing the watch against a kitchen counter left it scuffed. Screens and titanium cases can both pick up marks from everyday wear.
What Apple Announced: Series 12 and Ultra 4
Apple announced two new watches on September 9, with availability from September 18.
Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399. It comes in aluminum, titanium and ceramic, in two case sizes. The aluminum model uses Ceramic Shield 2 on the front, while the titanium and ceramic models use sapphire crystal. See Apple's Series 12 announcement for details.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799. It has a 49mm Grade 5 titanium case, a flat sapphire crystal display with up to 3,000 nits of brightness, and up to 50 hours of battery life. It's rated to 100 meters of water resistance, with dive certification to 40 meters. Read more in Apple's Ultra 4 announcement.
How Durable Are They Really?
Both watches are built tougher than most smartwatches, but "tough" doesn't mean "scratch-proof."
- Ultra 4: Sapphire is one of the hardest transparent materials used in watches and resists everyday scratches well. But hard materials can still crack or chip on a sharp impact, and the titanium case can pick up marks over time.
- Series 12 (aluminum): Apple says Ceramic Shield 2 is 60 percent tougher than the Ion-X glass on previous aluminum models, but sapphire is harder still. Reviews also note that aluminum Apple Watches tend to show scratches with normal wear.
- Series 12 (titanium and ceramic): These use sapphire, so they resist screen scratches better than the aluminum model.
Why Many Owners Skip the Case
A protective case seems like the obvious answer, but plenty of people don't like them on a watch:
- They change the look. A black bumper on a natural titanium watch can look like an afterthought, and cases cover the finish that makes these watches special.
- They add bulk. The Ultra 4 is already a substantial watch, and a case makes it thicker.
- They can get in the way. Some bumpers cover the speaker and microphone openings, which affects water use.
A Screen Protector Keeps the Look and Protects the Display
A thin screen film is barely noticeable, so your watch keeps its original design. It sits over the display and takes the everyday scratches and scuffs instead of the screen itself.
Magic John Apple Watch screen protectors are soft films made for the Series 12 and Ultra 4. Choose the size that matches your watch. The film covers the screen all the way to the edges, so there's no uncovered border around the display. It doesn't affect touch response or the Always-On display, and it's easy to install. For the best result, we recommend watching our installation tutorial before you apply it.
Shop Apple Watch screen protectors →
One honest note: a screen film guards against scratches and scuffs on the display. It doesn't cover the case, and it isn't a replacement for a shock-absorbing case if you're worried about hard drops.
Which Watch Benefits Most?
| Series 12 (aluminum) | Series 12 (titanium / ceramic) | Ultra 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front glass | Ceramic Shield 2 | Sapphire | Sapphire |
| Screen scratch risk | Higher | Lower | Lower |
| Why add a film | Everyday scratches and scuffs | Keep the screen looking new | Keep the screen looking new |
FAQ
Does the Apple Watch Ultra 4 need a screen protector?
Its sapphire screen resists everyday scratches well, so it's the watch that needs one least. A screen film is still an easy way to keep the display looking new for longer.
Does the Apple Watch Series 12 need a screen protector?
The aluminum model is the most likely to show scratches, so a screen film is a good idea. The titanium and ceramic models use sapphire and are tougher.
Will a screen protector affect touch response or the Always-On display?
No. Our screen protector doesn't affect touch response or the Always-On display.
Is a screen protector hard to install?
No, it's easy. For the best result, watch our installation tutorial before you apply it.
Does a screen protector cover the case?
No. Our film covers the display all the way to the screen edges, but it doesn't cover the case.
Will a screen protector change how my Apple Watch looks?
It's thin, so the watch keeps its original look.
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