Is Apple charging too much for Stainless Steel and cellular?

It's a common complaint, but is it valid?

The Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm) in stainless steel costs £749 on a rubber strap in the UK.

The Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm) in aluminium (cellular version) on a rubber strap costs £529.

That is a price difference of £220 which feels extreme.

However, you also get a sapphire display on the stainless steel version which is a good thing. The 25% uplift in weight may be a downer though, but we are only talking about 12 grams.

And that's about it. You get a nicer looking Apple Watch with a cleaner and tougher display for £220.

If you head over to Amazon you can get a traditional watch with a sapphire (synthetic?) crystal and a stainless steel case (+ stainless steel bracelet) for £85. Plus you get the rest of the watch which is a bonus.

I have a couple of issues with Apple's pricing in this area. I don't understand why Apple charges £100 extra for cellular connectivity- it reminds me of the crazy Apple cost of storage on iPhones, iPads and Macs. Add to this the fact that it is £70 extra for cellular on an SE and £100 on a series 9- that is obvious price gouging. I really cannot understand how Apple has managed to make stainless steel a 'luxury' feature in a world where even the cheapest watches are made from stainless steel.

My conclusion is that Apple is charing way too much for one of the easiest metals to work with in the entire industry and is taking the p*ss even further with the cellular option.