Titanium Apple Watch costs $300 more than aluminum. Is it worth it?

The titanium Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $699. The aluminum version starts at $399. MacRumors looked at whether the $300 gap is worth paying and concluded that most customers will struggle to justify it. The picture changes if you already planned to buy a cellular watch.

What the extra $300 buys

Titanium models come in Natural and Radiant Gold with a polished finish. That gives a more traditional watch look than the matte aluminum models. Designer Hermès options exist too. The front glass is sapphire, which resists scratches well. Aluminum Series 12 watches use Ceramic Shield 2, which replaces the Ion-X glass on earlier generations.

• Polished metal case with a dressier look
• Scratch-resistant sapphire front crystal
• Cellular connectivity included as standard
• A good match for Link Bracelet or Milanese Loop bands

What stays the same

Inside, nothing changes. The titanium watch has the same chip, sensors, display technology and battery life as the aluminum and ceramic versions. Paying more for titanium does not unlock extra features. Titanium is also heavier than aluminum, so anyone who wants a light watch for workouts and sleep tracking may prefer the cheaper one.

The cellular factor

Aluminum buyers can pick GPS only or GPS and Cellular. Titanium always includes cellular. So the $300 gap covers more than the case and the glass. If you were going to add cellular to an aluminum watch anyway, the real extra cost of titanium is smaller than $300.

Titanium versus ceramic

Ceramic is back this year, so titanium is no longer the only premium choice. The Pearl White and Night Blue ceramic cases also have sapphire front crystal, so scratch resistance alone is no reason to pick titanium over ceramic. Titanium is lighter than ceramic and matches metal bracelets more easily. Ceramic has a more striking look, especially in Pearl White.

Who should buy it

Titanium makes sense if you want the polished metal finish and sapphire glass, especially if you wear your watch all day, including in formal settings. You can still use rubber or woven bands for workouts. If you mainly want that finish and glass, a discounted titanium Series 10 or Series 11 may also be worth a look.

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 costs $100 more than the titanium Series 12. For that, you get longer battery life and a more rugged design. The titanium Series 12 fits better if you want slimmer proportions and a more traditional appearance.