Ceramic vs Titanium Apple Watch: Which material is better for overall durability?

Ceramic and titanium are both premium Apple Watch materials, but they excel in different ways.

By Thomas Godwin Nov. 1, 2026 4:00 pm EST Hadrian/Shutterstock Add Engadget on Google: Google Discover

Comparing Apple Watch casing materials, specifically titanium and ceramic, comes with varying degrees of counter-intuition. For one, titanium models feature ceramic components. Second, ceramic is harder than titanium, though titanium is the stronger material overall. There is a winner, but winning comes with caveats. Titanium is the better choice for consumers shopping primarily for long-lasting durability, but it's not as scratch-resistant as ceramic. As you can see, the comparison is a bit more complicated than the general assumption that titanium is the superior material.