The short answer is Yes, worth paying more. The long answer is I had 2 bad experiences with knockoff bands, and they were of higher tier bands, not those $5 ones. Firstly I had bought 2 milanese loops and both of them go beyond the snapping point of the watch, you slide it in from one side and there is a small chance it will go past the click sometimes, it eventually falls into place but I can’t trust it to not come loose during a heavy workout and I notice much later that my watch isn’t on my wrist anymore, and secondly with a link braclet. I paid $70 for a knockoff and it felt heavy, was nice and everything but then one night I was in my car and a single screw came off and dropped my watch under the seat, again I was lucky to be in a spot where I would notice it. So because of that and that alone I am only getting genuine Apple bands, I rather pay $90 more than lose a $800 watch.
I prefer to buy original bands, because quality has a price as well as resistance. I used to buy bands on Amazon but their quality were poor and I've almost lost my Watch because of the band cracked while I was diving... So I only purchase bands. and my Watch Ultra is worn with the night blue Ocean Band. I also have the. Trail Loop (the original one of course) but I still prefer the ruggedness of the Ocean band. So, of course, I have less choice, but I can rely on them... To check the quality like you do isn’t good as you do not control how good or bad the band will turn in 6 months or more...
This is what I wanted to hear.. I’ve been using the Amazon ocean band for a bit now but I’m going to use one for much longer to see if I have any issues. Of course I’m not doing anything nearly as cool as you Scuba diving… lol.. thank you for sharing this info!!
absolutely in Europe, this watch costs 999 €, I absolutely would not take the risk of taking a poor quality band to lose it in the ocean or with any other sporting activity. I will purchase only Apple bands.
Same here! Ive been using my apple watch ultra band for 1 year now! And its super solid after so much use! Been using it for surfing as well amd it holds well!
I have been using "knock-off" bands and yes, quality varies, but you can get a quality knock off for a reasonable price. $100 for a band is price gouging. I have never had a problem with non-Apple bands.
@@g.christopherlyn685 Until your band breaks and you lose your Watch. Almost happened to me once with an Watch series 5. Never again. I prefer to pay more and have less option than to pay less and have more option and more risk (even if the risk is limited)
I like the video but I feel you ask the viewer to subscribe way too much. Mrwhosetheboss touched on it in an interview and said when he stopped asking his analytics improved
I have been working with a number of channels and I would have agreed with you 2 years ago. Now I have seen analytics that say otherwise. It’s a thin line to dance on. Smaller channels I feel need to remind people more often than larger channels.
I don't care about the look. I need the peace of mind that my strap would not break and make my watch fly away during the action. So the only comparison that matter is the endurance.
Id never buy an Apple oem band! EBay ftw! Bought two ocean bands for my ultra, they are a bit thinner than the one that came with the watch but they’re absolutely fine 🎉
I’ve been using the knockoff since this video and it works great.. I’d rather get 10 different colors to pick from them 1 super expensive band.. but I understand where you’re coming from.
I noticed the cheaper versions and have no problem saving on watch bands. Great video! Apple could reduce their prices by either using the inexpensive bands or by now eliminating the bands altogether or at least having that as an option since all previous owners have watch bands.
Apple bands are made better and will last longer I’ve had knockoffs and they don’t last and not as good of materials 🤷♂️ I’ll stick with the Apple bands.
The genuine Apple bands are far superior to any of the third party knock offs when compared side by side. That said, the third party bands are frequently good enough to do the job of keeping the watch on your wrist. Simple things like bevelling and polishing the edges of the strap clips and the use of titanium rather than stainless steel mean that the Apple bands cost a lot more to manufacture. That finishing means that the clips are unlikely to cut or wear through the band and the titanium means that compass functions are unaffected, which is not necessarily the case with steel and magnetic fastenings. If you frequently change your watch bands, then it probably doesn’t matter, but if you like to keep the same band on your watch for years, Apple is the way to go.
Okay, I agree that Apple bracelets are very expensive, now wanting to compare the quality and durability of a bracelet that costs $90 with a bracelet that costs $9 isn't possible, right!!!👀😜 Anyone who has had a bad experience with these cheap bracelets know what I'm talking about!!!🤔🤦♂️
I can’t argue with the issues that could arise with the 9 dollar ones. They all can’t be perfect. However, the ones I have tried and like have been darn good
I can understand that... I have tried my fair share of things that aren't brand I won't buy them. I just want to give people options since the price difference is so big. I mean if Apple would have actually put any R&D into watch bands to justify the price I would feel differently about... But we know that's bullshit.. LOL... I appreciate the comment!
Bruh your talking rubbish I brought original bands spent over 400 and then I bought knockoffs if you buy good quality ones literally can't tell the difference
The crown was bad enough when I would do something that flexed my wrist up against the crown… When I turned the watch around at least action button didn’t get triggered by my fat wrists. 😂😂
My Amazon $5 Alpine loop is probably 98% similar to Apple’s w/ the exception of the polished metal parts. No way in hell Im spending $100 for a piece of fabric. NOPE
@@TheAppleHelpline awesome. I’m still kinda amazed by Amazon products. I guess I’m caving in and it making my wife happy & RIGHT. I don’t like it when she’s right haha. Alpine is going strong. I also have I believe the brand is PLATINUM from bestbuy, the stainless steel Band for $30 & and that’s great as well. If I want to splurge a bit, which I probably will, I’m going for the Nomad Lunar band.
Bs! The band i use is now 1 year old the ocean band! For the ultra watch ! Ive been using it for 1 year and its still solid! Been using while surfing while running ! U name it! Its super good! I would pay 100$ for the Apple Original bands cus the quality is better!
You like to hate on Apple while making money of Apple from your channel. You pay for what you get. Buy cheap you get cheap. Apple Original lasts as long as the watch. I’m happy paying for that.
What about the part that fits/holds inside the watch? I believe that in the originals it’s micrometers specific, and the amazon ones are just a “compatible” size. It’s just a thought, I never analyzed. My concern if it will not damage inside the ultra.
Dude be more educated man! Most 3rd parties do not have titanium ends nor buckles. In addition, they all use silicone material for the “Ocean” band, not fluoroelastomer.
Great info… I just don’t think it’s that important… in some cases a price difference of 90 dollars just isn’t worth it to most people. You should do a video about it on your channel..
You know what you can say what you like. But why spend $1300 on a real Apple Watch only to save a few bucks on getting a knock off band. The apple quality is obvious if you look closely and there is something to be said for getting an apple branded product from the unboxing to the actual lifespan of the band.
Where you buying your Apple Watch? 🤣🤣 $1,300? Lol I mean most people who comment are using an older Apple Watch that probably ran about 400-500 bucks. So when when it comes to even the other apple bands did those its too much.. I was sure to point out the quality on the Apple watches.. but no one is going to be looking that closely…
@@TheAppleHelplinehere in Australia our healthcare is either free or you pay a co-payment. A 15 minute GP visit is $83Au and if you are employed you get a rebate of about $43Au. Senior citizens and the unemployed are free, including services like liver transplantation or Hepatitis C anti-virals (about $130,000Au).
As a surfer in Hawaii going out in some pretty powerful surf, and as someone who already had one Apple Watch ripped off his wrist in lesser conditions out there, I’ve been scouring the web trying to find info on the strongest, most durable Apple Watch bands. If all your concerned about are looks, sure, I think buying $10 knock offs is fine, but I’m HOPING that not skimping and buying the ocean band with its titanium hardware and hi tech elastomer or whatever it is is going to keep this thing affixed to my wrist in heavy surf. I have my doubts though. If this thing breaks, I’ll def come back here and follow up. Thanks for the vid. Cheers
The cheaper one won’t last as long and there are plenty of videos showing the cheap quality falling apart and the metals aren’t the same and my ocd won’t allow me to be ok with it 😂😂😂
Got the AWU w/ the black/gray trail loop. It’s my favorite band to workout/hike/play sports in. Bought the Amazon alpine & ocean bands for fashion. Love them. Saved hundreds
@@TheAppleHelpline the ocean bands are great. You can move the buckle and it secures better. Love the alpine too. Had to order the orange twice. The 1st one was red orange. Didn’t look like the OG
Thank you very much for sharing this with us. I would love to see something about steel straps, especially heavy and thick ones that give a rough look for your future videos.
Thanks for commenting!!! I actually have a video for the metal bands! Here Apple dropping the ball with Ultra Metal Bands! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-K9d1fxSnTSY.html
So yea the amazon knockoffs are inexpensive yes. However the Lugs are loose inside the watch. Compared to branded band. No play at all, and better quality and material. When you purchase an product you KNOW you are getting an product.
TBH.. I have had zero issue with my watch band… never a concern it would break.. but I understand the reasoning to stick with the name brand… they are very refined
@@TheAppleHelpline i mean i am not an fanboi, i do like their products. I have a 8 dollar velcro band i wear for work and don’t want to damage my olive alpine, which so far no problems, except the lugs are just ever so slightly loose. ’s bands are expensive because of the titanium lugs is all i am guessing and titanium isn’t cheap.
I bought a few Fulmosa bands off of Amazon, a couple of metal ones and a leather one, and IMHO they are decent quality and I have no intention of shelling out for the overpriced Apple bands.
Ringke & Spigen has good third party bands. And i am confident using then along with my genuine midnight ocean band thats comes along with AWU2 But i bought 8 ocean straps in different colors for 5$ only. And il try it. Just for fun.
Apple didn’t even offer a band I liked that would fit my wrist. I bought the extension piece (8.4” wrists), and had to cut it short. It’s designed for dry suits and whatnot. I got the trim close, but it will never look quite right.
Who would want to pay £100 for an Apple strap !!!! I have purchased 3rd party ones & you can’t tell the difference. I have an ultra 2 which came with the ocean band yes a lovely strap but I also have copies & they are great . I cannot justify paying £100 for 1 strap as I don’t think they are nowhere worth that but that’s just my personal opinion. Great tutorial & very well explained thank you . Ps did you know if you have a 44mm Apple Watch the straps fit perfectly on the ultra 👍🏻
Excellent ‘watch’… I agree with you fully and have bought high-quality bands for about $6Au on both Amazon and eBay. I bought two Apple bands with the Ultra but never again.
For sure..... Actually, I had a few people inform me about issues with the links to the bands.. Apparently, some are gone and others are out of stock.. I did some looking around and there are a bunch of new styles that I think might look even better then Apple's...Time for another video?
@@TheAppleHelpline Yes please! I saw a YT Shorts video today suggesting that Apple will soon release an Apple Watch X and that the existing band fitting will be changed to provide more space for a larger battery and features--and that we have to "get over it" and be ready to chuck away our existing strap collections...
I actually did a video on a bunch already! Here! Apple dropping the ball with Ultra Metal Bands! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-K9d1fxSnTSY.html
Should tell you a lot about knock-off bands. Protip: Don't take all the "apple watch bands are not worth it, buy these cheapo ones instead!" seriously. Don't buy trash bands and end up loosing your $800 watch to save $90. Are Apple's overpriced? Yes, but these videos are like saying you should get a $5 power adapter for your $1200 macbook but doesn't tell you about the dodgy circuitry frying your motherboard.
Here’s an observation, I bought the alpine band from Amazon for my AWU and noticed that because the G hook is a different metal, it caused interference for the AWU crown. The crown couldn’t register the haptic feedback correctly and would glitch out and spasm when you scroll. Once I took it off and put the original Apple version back on, it worked perfectly again.
It is not " No one notice it's a knock off" it is more comfortable and you know you didn't support robbers and You're Original, you buy because you can afford it if you don't find something that you can.
