Apple Watch Edition Series 3 unboxing and comparisons

Apple Watch Series 3 comes in several versions again this year, including a new version the ceramic Edition in space gray. Unlike, Stainless Steel, the Edition packaging retains its rounded, plastic inner box and the bonus Apple Watch charging dock inside.

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Compared to the white ceramic, the space gray ceramic is definitely not as bright. The entire look is more subdued — almost stealth. Where the white demands attention in its own right, the space grey lets the strap be the star. Not the interface gray strap included in the box, but any colorful strap you choose to jazz it up with later.

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Compared to Apple's other dark watch finishes, the ceramic is distinct. Space gray aluminum has that familiar metallic look to it. It's darker than the space gray Apple uses on iPhone and iPad, though not as dark as the matt black on iPhone 7. It's also not as dark as the DLC (diamond-like carbon) coated steel of the space black. That watch looks and feels like something The Batman would wear. The space gray ceramic doesn't look or feel like metal at all. It's more... alien. Almost Kryptonian. Stealth remains the only word that really fits the finish.

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More on the Apple Watch Edition Series 3 to come.

Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.