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 Former Member over 8 years ago

Ask yourself what the extras are worth to you or what you'd pay for them:

1. sapphire display (this has to be worth something, at least the price of good screen protectors)
2. WiFi
3. Extra band

For me I break it down like this:

1. $100 (I place a high value on the sapphire display)
2. $20 (don't really care about it, but it's nice to have)
3. $30 (I didn't think I'd like the yellow band but I do) I'd pay $30 for it but not full RRP

Thanks for the quick reply. TBH I was planning to put a tempered glass on regardless of the models. They cost peanuts out here. I think the extra time to play with the product and the peace of mind of being able to send it in for repair/replacement is probably worth the extra money.

0 NeilJonesOnline over 8 years ago

@Neil...

I have tempered glass screen protectors I purchased when I had my slate gray non sapphire.. 3ea came in the box and I used one of them so there are 2 left. If you want them for free to use with your non sapphire 5 then message me your address and I'll send them off to you..

They are for the 5X but fit the 5 perfectly..

Back to the topic.. I don't see anyone getting emotional over the subject but there are different opinions. I didn't notice any difference between the 3 non sapphire and the 3HR and I don't notice any difference between the 5 non sapphire and the sapphire.. Again, my use case probably has something to do with that as mine gets used 99% of the time outdoors and in very bright sunlight.

To me the sapphire display alone is worth the extra $100 and WiFi and the extra band are just bonuses..

PM sent (I think!)

As regards the "getting emotional" comment, I wasn't referring to this thread (or forum), more the subject in general - you should see some of the flame wars that erupted over the sapphire glass subject relating to the Apple Watch!

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..

I happen to agree with your assertion that there is minimal difference in real world usage, but credibility is lost when you engage in that which you dislike in others. You posted two separate pictures obviously taken at two separate times versus other posts of single pictures of both watches at the same time. It's fairly obvious which of the two types of examples has less variables. You readily admit you rarely use the watch indoors, whereas some wear theirs around the clock, including low-light conditions. So your use-case of outdoors and well-lit indoors may narrow your real world differences even further yet you use the terms "deceiving" and "bogus" to those whose use-case may not match yours. That's unfortunate.

I also absolutely agree that the sapphire display and extra band (I didn't even know it came with an extra) are worth it. Wi-fi I rarely use, so hope that its presence doesn't result in a battery life hit.

0 KPSOUMA over 8 years ago

but credibility is lost when you engage in that which you dislike in others.

LOL... I am not interested in gaining 'credibility' with random and unknown people on the internet, sorry not my cup of tea.... But show me where I "engaged in that which I dislike in others".. I stated a fact. It's no secret people will and do self justify their decisions. I've said it before here on this forum so let me say it again.. I do it as well...

You posted two separate pictures obviously taken at two separate times versus other posts of single pictures of both watches at the same time. It's fairly obvious which of the two types of examples has less variables.

Neither has more value in my opinion. I think to most rational people it was plainly obvious mine were posted on different days and they obviously show different angels... The point is and was that this is what I see on a daily basis with the watches. Unless you wish to call me a liar then that's cool and you are entitled to your opinion, but again, it matter not to me....

You readily admit you rarely use the watch indoors, whereas some wear theirs around the clock, including low-light conditions. So your use-case of outdoors and well-lit indoors may narrow your real world differences even further yet you use the terms "deceiving" and "bogus" to those whose use-case may not match yours. That's unfortunate.

Because to me and for my use case they are bogus and deceiving.. Is it that hard to comprehend that someone answering on a forum is answering for themselves and NOT for the masses? Maybe when you post you pretend to answer for everyone but I certainly don't.. Your entire post is really pretty odd....

0 MalcolmLavery over 8 years ago

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.

0 gchris7 over 8 years ago

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.

0 webvan over 8 years ago

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.

Not available yet as far as I can tell but shouldn't be too long!

0 KPSOUMA over 8 years ago

My concern with the $10 eBay bands is durability... I'd hate to see a $700 watch sink to the bottom of the ocean or go bouncing down the road because the quickfit connection failed...

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

My concern with the $10 eBay bands is durability... I'd hate to see a $700 watch sink to the bottom of the ocean or go bouncing down the road because the quickfit connection failed...

I just wish there was a more solid band like I had on my Forerunner 630. More rigid harder plastic. Im not too keen on these stretchy silicon bands if I'm honest.

0 KPSOUMA over 8 years ago

I just wish there was a more solid band like I had on my Forerunner 630.

Agree.. I worry about the Garmin quickfit failing never mind a $10 eBay version...