Apple Acknowledges Apple Watch Series 3 Issue Where 'Edge Stripes' Appear on Display

[MacRumors]

Apple has determined that some Apple Watch Series 3 models have an issue causing "edge stripes" to appear on the display after time.

In an internal memo distributed to Genius Bars and Apple Authorized Service Providers, Apple said the issue is to be treated like any other Apple Watch repair. Since the issue appears to be a manufacturing defect, the repair should be free under Apple's standard one-year limited warranty policy.

Apple's memo, obtained by MacRumors, identifies GPS models as being affected and not cellular models. The difference could be the result of LTE models having a different display assembly with an integrated antenna.

To verify the issue, a Genius Bar or Apple Authorized Service Provider employee will ask the customer to rub their finger on the display to allow smearing to appear. If no edge stripes are found, Apple's instructions are to clean the display and have the customer breathe on the display edge to create humidity.

Apple's memo doesn't confirm the underlying reason for the issue. Given the steps to reproduce the issue, however, it sounds like the edge stripes may appear as a result of moisture collecting under the display.

While we can verify this information is accurate, Apple doesn't always acknowledge its internal service policies when a customer brings it up. We don't know exactly why this is the case, but be aware that your mileage may vary.

Article Link: Apple Acknowledges Apple Watch Series 3 Issue Where 'Edge Stripes' Appear on Display

 

[decimortis]

Just tried to make them appear on my Space Grey 42mm GPS-Only AW3 and nothing happened.
I shower with mine every day so it's definitely exposed to daily moisture. It'll be something to keep my eye on.

 

[nviz22]

Newer products having hardware defects and software bugs aren't surprising. Waiting for a possible Black Friday deal and a fix is much better alternative.

 

[Porco]

Does this mean Apple Watch S3 is in RAID 0?

(Seriously, I hope those affected can get it fixed as fast as their go-faster stripes can carry them).

 

[Syk]

Newer products having hardware defects and software bugs aren't surprising. Waiting for a possible Black Friday deal and a fix is much better alternative.

I plan on getting the LTE variant so it doesn't look like it's a problem with it but like you I'm waiting to see if there are any Black Friday deals.
Hoping BestBuy or ATT do some kind of trade in old AW for a discount on a series 3 or offer up some good gift cards. If not then I'll probably just order one and be done.
The only thing I see so far is Kohls offering $90 Kohls cash

 

[44267547]

Curious to know how many Series 2 owners are affected by this? This is some of the first I have newer of this issue. Fortunately Apple acknowledged the problem and will issue a replacement device if need be.

 

[rGiskard]

This is why I don't rush to buy new tech product releases. Always give them a few months to stomp all the production bugs. Same goes for any electronics, cars, etc.

Mass production is hard.

 

[NinjaHERO]

Maybe fix this issue and throw in BT 5.0 just for giggles. Thanks Apple. ;-)

 

[seatton]

Oh great. I am wearing my SS Series 3 and not a lot of people notice the red dot. Now I can show off my edge stripes so everyone knows I have a Series 3 /s

 

[fumi2014]

You're breathing on it wrong.

 

[Syk]

Oh great. I am wearing my SS Series 3 and not a lot of people notice the red dot. Now I can show off my edge stripes so everyone knows I have a Series 3 /s

Said it only affected the GPS only models...no edge stripes for you

 

[coolfactor]

You're breathing on it wrong.

Yah, I was surprised by this....

To verify the issue, a Genius Bar or Apple Authorized Service Provider employee will ask the customer to rub their finger on the display to allow smearing to appear. If no edge stripes are found, Apple's instructions are to clean the display and have the customer breathe on the display edge to create humidity.

So having the customer demonstrate the issue avoids the problem of staff saying "Sorry, we can't reproduce it"? I guess that's a smart approach.

 

[kstotlani]

Will they replace it with an LTE model? How can you be sure that they will provide a replacement that won’t have this issue. This is going to make me keep checking my watch. Good thing I have apple care + on it.

 

[nviz22]

I plan on getting the LTE variant so it doesn't look like it's a problem with it but like you I'm waiting to see if there are any Black Friday deals.
Hoping BestBuy or ATT do some kind of trade in old AW for a discount on a series 3 or offer up some good gift cards. If not then I'll probably just order one and be done.
The only thing I see so far is Kohls offering $90 Kohls cash

Apple isn't really aggressive with its BF pricing since they just add gift cards here and there. When I used to own an Apple Watch Series 1, I got it from Target on BF for a good price plus with a red card discount.

 

[smaffei]

Will they replace it with an LTE model?

Yeah, right. You wish.

 

[miketcool]

Antennagate is back!

 

[jbe]

Oh great. I am wearing my SS Series 3 and not a lot of people notice the red dot. Now I can show off my edge stripes so everyone knows I have a Series 3 /s

Sorry cellular models are not affected. I guess you'll just have to wave the red dot in their face.

 

[justperry]

In an internal memo distributed to Genius Bars and Apple Authorized Service Providers, Apple said the issue is to be treated like any other Apple Watch repair. Since the issue appears to be a manufacturing defect, the repair should be free under Apple's standard one-year limited warranty policy.

If it's a manufacturing defect a repair should not be limited by Apple's standard one year limited warranty.
Apple should fix that even after that period, yes, I am aware it's not even a year yet since it launched.

 

[joueboy]

This will be treated as 1 year limited warranty. If the problem showed up after 1 year of usage then you’re out of luck. Apple gotta make money after this initial announcement.

 

[Alenore]

"I still don't understand how, in 2017, Samsung can still have display issues in one of its flagship device"

 

[smoledman]

As usual it's one bad batch and the media pumps it up to HURR DURR CRISIS! Give me a break, Apple will never have 100% perfect batches of products, but they probably have a better failure rate than any other company.

 

[cliffster82]

It wouldn't be an Apple release without a crisis. Bring on edgestripegate!

I look forward to getting the series 3 for a deal sometime. The series 2 is surprisingly slow on watchOS4.

 

[donalcombright]

Newer products having hardware defects and software bugs aren't surprising. Waiting for a possible Black Friday deal and a fix is much better alternative.

Kohls.com - comes with $105 in Kohls cash this week. So if you shop at Kohls, the 42mm GPS model is essentially $255.