Display Comparison - 5 v 5S, Sapphire v Glass

At the moment I've got a 5 Sapphire and a 5S non-Sapphire, so I thought I take a couple of photos to show the display difference in terms of resolution and clarity before one of them goes back.

I've posted the photos here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/64vnksruik27pyh/AAATdyH7CaqeDkiIuQvxUE7Ta?dl=0

Only quick shots, but hopefully enough to illustrate the similarities/differences.

I've not labelled the photos, but the ones with the black bezel are the f5, the silver bezel the f5S

Resolution-wise, I'd say you'd be hard-pressed to notice any difference - the 0.1" difference in display size isn't really go to make the difference between being able to read something or not, and the lower pixel count doesn't seem to be evident - the increased number of colours over the f3 probably helps here.

What is quite surprising is how clear the standard glass is compared to the sapphire. When you see the sapphire on its own, you don't notice anything, but up against the glass you realise just how much less transparent the sapphire is. In real life it still appears clearer than the photos, you don't see the almost tinted effect that the photo shows, but what you do notice is just how much dimmer the sapphire display is compared to the glass one (all these photos were taken without the backlight on)
  • Garmin have done that for the oHR as the FR235 had the same stretchy band vs the harder rubber of the FR230 (and FR630).
  • Glad I didn't get Sapphire after seeing these pics.
  • In my opinion its not worth sacrificing screen visibility for more protection, especially when you have to pay 100$ extra for it. I m better off with a cheap glass screen protector.
    WiFi is redundant and a waste of battery life. The extra band is nice, but again, not worth the 100$ extra when you can get a cheap 10$ band from eBay.


    Pay more and you get higher resell value back too.
  • All transparent objects have a refraction index. Especially gems where light enters and can get trapped for a specific time before it exits. Even normal glass is effected by this, and slightly more so, Sapphire glass, which I presume has a slightly higher index of refraction.

    This would and will effect the way light passes through it, and in the case of both the Apple Watch and the Sapphire Fenix 5s, they will always appear slightly darker and slightly not as bright and vibrant as the normal glass versions.

    Saying that, the difference is hardly great, and the plus' of Sapphire glass far out weigh the minus' in my humble opinion.


    I agree with this mostly.. I think it also depends on each persons use case.. For mainly indoor usage the non sapphire might be the better option. For mainly outdoor use there is little to no difference at all.. If someone uses it equally indoor and outdoor then they have a decision to make...

    Is the added scratch resistance, WiFi and the extra band worth a slightly dimmer screen when used indoors? I mean the thing does have a backlight...

    Pay more and you get higher resell value back too.


    This is true.. There is also the problem of getting the non sapphire and the screen getting scratched. I had a fenix 3 non sapphire and after about 6 months it looked like it had went through a war zone. I was unable to sell it even for a significant loss.. A scratch on the screen is a death warrant for a watch..

    After taking that in the shorts financial loss, I made a personal choice to never buy another fitness watch that did not have a sapphire display.. To each their own..
  • Glad I didn't get Sapphire after seeing these pics.


    What about these photos causes you concern? Or was it the indoor photos that cause you concern?

    Note: These are the OP's photos and not the ones I posted that were discounted as irrelevant.

    https://www.dropbox.com/sh/64vnksruik27pyh/AAATdyH7CaqeDkiIuQvxUE7Ta?dl=0&preview=IMG_1820.JPG

    https://www.dropbox.com/sh/64vnksruik27pyh/AAATdyH7CaqeDkiIuQvxUE7Ta?dl=0&preview=IMG_1821.JPG

    Maybe I need to go see an eye doctor but I see little to no difference whatsoever between the 2...
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 8 years ago
    I appreciate the effort that went into these tests, for our benefit.

    I've scratched a Fenix 3 lens on a boulder while I was cooking in camp. It was gusty and I was using the rock as a wind break. It left a small but permanent scratch. There's no question that I'll go for the sapphire lens even in spite of a minor difference in indoor contrast.

    I assume many people will use a screen protector over the mineral glass, and it will have a similar effect on the display. Food for thought.
  • What about these photos causes you concern? Or was it the indoor photos that cause you concern?

    Note: These are the OP's photos and not the ones I posted that were discounted as irrelevant.

    https://www.dropbox.com/sh/64vnksruik27pyh/AAATdyH7CaqeDkiIuQvxUE7Ta?dl=0&preview=IMG_1820.JPG

    https://www.dropbox.com/sh/64vnksruik27pyh/AAATdyH7CaqeDkiIuQvxUE7Ta?dl=0&preview=IMG_1821.JPG

    Maybe I need to go see an eye doctor but I see little to no difference whatsoever between the 2...


    There is a clear difference in my opinion. Its even more clear in the ops zoomed in photos. This is certainly something that cannot be ignored.

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 8 years ago
    There is a clear difference in my opinion. Its even more clear in the ops zoomed in photos. This is certainly something that cannot be ignored.



    Looks more of a contrast difference than a brightness difference to me. Just checked min indoors and outdoors and its great in both, but obviously better outside in the direct sun. :)

    Just found the backlight settings too, which was at 20% by default, bumped it up to 50% and much brighter now. Might be to bright for night, will see :) Love this watch.
  • I have the Sapphire screen and it looks fine, indoor and outdoor. I cant see the pixelation even from 1 in.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 8 years ago
    I have the Sapphire screen and it looks fine, indoor and outdoor. I cant see the pixelation even from 1 in.


    No pixilation of the 5 or 5x, the screen res is awesome. I think, there maybe a little bit of Sapphire glass envy showing through just a little bit lol ;)

    I've already had the many "What do you need to spend that on a sports watch for, mine only cost £50" clueless people. hahaha :)