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)

0 KPSOUMA over 8 years ago

I agree Tom

These threads come up all the time and are mostly very deceiving... I'm not saying that was the OP's intent as I do not think it was but many will use the images to self justify their decision to not purchase the sapphire...

The photos I posted show there is no difference whatsoever and in my mind, the non sapphire looks worse for outdoor, in direct sun usage..

I do agree that indoors the non sapphire is probably better but whenever I use mine indoors it usually entails the back light being on..

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

The same was true of the F3 generation, the sapphire made the screen look more cloudy *when viewed next to a glass version.* The pictures really emphasis it but IMHO in real life Sapphire users never felt the screens were cloudy or not clear. i still am very comfortable i ordered a black / black sapphire 5S (the silver ring is too bright for my tastes on the glass 5S) now if only it would show up...

0 KPSOUMA over 8 years ago

I had a fenix 3 non sapphire, a 3 HR sapphire, a 5 non sapphire and a 5 sapphire and I can honestly and without a doubt say that I have never noticed any difference whatsoever between the 2 screens... Photos can be and often are deceiving. I base my thoughts on real world use. Granted, I do not use mine indoors at all unless it's raining and I run on a treadmill. Under that circumstance the lighting inside is sufficient to where I do not notice it there either. I assume there are probably some situations where the sapphire may be worse but I believe there are instances where the sapphire is better (see my photos on the last page) like in direct and bright sunlight.

0 manueleltoro over 8 years ago

Thanks for that side by side.
My original thought was to go with the 5s silver but recently started leaning toward the 5. This however has put me solidly back in the 5s camp.

I agree, I think the 5S size is just perfect for my small wrists. The silver bezel looks great in "real" pics.

0 chong67 over 8 years ago

I got the 5 Sapphire now. It look great outdoor in the sunlight. Contrast is fine. Indoor I have to use the backlight when its dark.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

I agree Tom

These threads come up all the time and are mostly very deceiving... I'm not saying that was the OP's intent as I do not think it was but many will use the images to self justify their decision to not purchase the sapphire...

The photos I posted show there is no difference whatsoever and in my mind, the non sapphire looks worse for outdoor, in direct sun usage..

I do agree that indoors the non sapphire is probably better but whenever I use mine indoors it usually entails the back light being on..

Its pretty clear in the OPs pictures that his F5 sapphire version has a MUCH more cloudy screen than the regular F5s, at least for indoors. This is a major issue in my opinion and can definitely be a decision factor, you cant just ignore it.
Of course this needs more comparison pictures (indoors and outdoors) with the exact same conditions to be sure. Who knows, maybe OPs F5 sapphire is defective or something.

0 KPSOUMA over 8 years ago

Its pretty clear in the OPs pictures that his F5 sapphire version has a MUCH more cloudy screen than the regular F5s, at least for indoors. This is a major issue in my opinion and can definitely be a decision factor, you cant just ignore it.
Of course this needs more comparison pictures (indoors and outdoors) with the exact same conditions to be sure. Who knows, maybe OPs F5 sapphire is defective or something.

It is not as clear cut as you want it to be unless of course you want it to be that way.. Have you used both in real world situations? Also consider lighting and angle of the photo(s). Even the slightest difference in either will show a difference.. Did you look at the photos I posted? If you did then it's clear that in my photos the non sapphire looks worse..

0 NeilJonesOnline over 8 years ago

To be fair I've had my f5 since Thursday and certainly didn't think the sapphire was in any way bad, it's only now I've had chance to compare it side-to-side with a glass that I see the difference.

As I said before, I can't believe anyone would actually be unhappy with the sapphire or think it was in any way sub-standard.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

It is not as clear cut as you want it to be unless of course you want it to be that way.. Have you used both in real world situations? Also consider lighting and angle of the photo(s). Even the slightest difference in either will show a difference.. Did you look at the photos I posted? If you did then it's clear that in my photos the non sapphire looks worse..

It depends on what you consider as real world situation. I don't use my garmin just for running outdoors. Indoors visibility (with or without backlight) is as exactly as important for me.
Lighting and angle certainly play a role, but i think OP is doing a good job there. I cant really say the same for your photos though, as judging by the suns reflection on the F5 5 sapphire its clearly taken at a different angle (also further away).

0 KPSOUMA over 8 years ago

It depends on what you consider as real world situation. I don't use my garmin just for running outdoors. Indoors visibility (with or without backlight) is as exactly as important for me.
Lighting and angle certainly play a role, but i think OP is doing a good job there. I cant really say the same for your photos though, as judging by the suns reflection on the F5 5 sapphire its clearly taken at a different angle (also further away).

Your post just proves why these comparisons are pointless.... If someone is on the fence their best bet will be to try them both and see for themselves. Of course my photos are at different angels and distance as they were taken on different days but that does not change what I see with them on a daily basis..

People will always self justify what they want to buy or did buy. It's human nature and they will see what they want to see to enforce their decision.. I kept the sapphire for reasons that matter to me.. If the screen was worse on the sapphire then I would have sold it and kept the non sapphire..

This same argument pops up re: sapphire -v- screen protector and the exact same happens in those threads..

Bottom line is we all use the watches differently. I do not use mine for steps, stairs, all day HR or stand reminders. Mine is mainly used outdoors and for my usage, I have never seen nor noticed any difference whatsoever between the 2 screen.

If someone uses it as a step and stand counter and it's mainly used indoors then maybe the non sapphire is the better option for them..