Apple Launches Screen Replacement Program for Aluminum Series 2 and Series 3 Apple Watch Models

[MacRumors]

Apple today announced the launch of a new screen replacement program for Series 2 and Series 3 Apple Watch models, due to cracking issues.

Apple says that "under very rare circumstances" a crack can form along the rounded edge of the screen in aluminum Series 2 and Series 3 Apple Watch models, starting on one side of the screen and then continuing around it.

Customers with an eligible Apple Watch model can have their Apple Watch screen replaced free of charge from Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider if it is exhibiting this kind of crack. Affected customers can contact Apple support for a mail-in repair, visit an AASP, or visit an Apple retail store.

All Apple Watch Series 2 and Series 3 models in aluminum are included in the repair program, with a list available in Apple's support document.

Apple says that the new program covers eligible aluminum Apple Watch Series 2 and Series 3 models for three years after the first retail sale of the unit or one year from the start date of the program, whichever is longer.

Article Link: Apple Launches Screen Replacement Program for Aluminum Series 2 and Series 3 Apple Watch Models

 

[ijordano]

"very rare circumstances" lol I worked at a London flagship and we saw this all the time

 

[Apple_Robert]

I wonder why the stainless steel models aren’t mentioned.

 

[makitango]

I wonder why the stainless steel models aren’t mentioned.

That‘s because they have sapphire glass also on the front side.

 

[BigBoy2018]

Jony Ive, though he created some really cool designs, has a history of consumer products littered with flaws that developed once his 'art' was used in the real world. Going back to the G4 cube, which developed cracks in its polycarbonate shell soon after its release.

Before that, the white iBooks developed cracks around the edges of the laptop.

Fast forward to the 'innovative' design of the butterfly keyboard (which turned out to be horribly flawed) and several problems in between.

I've said it before, but to me, a great designer makes stuff that not only looks cool, but also holds up in the world against wear, tear, weather, and human use. Jony Ive's designs too often failed the second part of that equation.

 

[BootsWalking]

The issue is about as rare as a medium-rare steak at a fine steakhouse.

 

[larrylaffer]

Uh oh! Has Australia heard about this? Are they about to ban Apple Watches from their flights?

 

[zed1291]

"very rare circumstances" lol I worked at a London flagship and we saw this all the time

I worked at three different flagships across the US and also saw this at high rates. Unique to Apple Watch, depot was the only option and for many purchasing a new model made more sense than the depot rate. Such people would be ineligible for refunds.
[doublepost=1567208179][/doublepost]

I wonder why the stainless steel models aren’t mentioned.

becuase stainless steel models don’t have glass screens. The likeliness of this happening to a SS is significantly less.

 

[oMean]

"very rare circumstances" lol I worked at a London flagship and we saw this all the time

Thats weird. News had not noticed it. Any Apple rumours sites had not noticed it. And usually they notice everything.
Maybe i read my news wrong.

 

[pweicks]

"very rare circumstances" lol I worked at a London flagship and we saw this all the time

Same. I’m the only one in my family who bought a stainless model with the sapphire glass and I’m the only one who has never had their watch screen cracked. My mom dropped her new series 3 on carpet and the screen broke... lol several of em have broken
[doublepost=1567209849][/doublepost]

I wonder why the stainless steel models aren’t mentioned.

They prob never have the problem. I’ve smashed my stainless against solid metal in our warehouse multiple times and it’s never cracked. It’s a series 2 I’ve had since launch day. On the other hand, several of my family members have the aluminum models and they’ve all experienced at least one cracked screen. My mom literally dropped her new s3 on carpet and it cracked... lol I think it has something to do with expanding batteries cuz sometimes the screen just literally pops right off with the battery pushing out like it’s under pressure

 

[Stromos]

This is crazy my girlfriend wears my old Series 2 and it just got a crack like the first image a couple days ago. Will update if they actually do a free repair on it!

 

[megazlo]

I went to Apple Store with exact same problem one week ago. They said me repair will cost $229 + tax. I declined. Watch stop working after this. Thank God I decided to wait until series 5 and not bought a new one. Created appointment with Genius bar on the next week.

 

[Hieveryone]

Jony Ive, though he created some really cool designs, has a history of consumer products littered with flaws that developed once his 'art' was used in the real world. Going back to the G4 cube, which developed cracks in its polycarbonate shell soon after its release.

Before that, the white iBooks developed cracks around the edges of the laptop.

Fast forward to the 'innovative' design of the butterfly keyboard (which turned out to be horribly flawed) and several problems in between.

I've said it before, but to me, a great designer makes stuff that not only looks cool, but also holds up in the world against wear, tear, weather, and human use. Jony Ive's designs too often failed the second part of that equation.

I have a soft spot for Jony Ive.

I feel like no one is perfect.

What Apple may have needed was Jony Ive to design but then another guy to figure out materials and sturdiness. If they already have someone, get a better person or hire more people.

 

[techfreak23]

I wonder why the stainless steel models aren’t mentioned.

I would assume the aluminum is more malleable than the stainless steel ones, so they may have warped or stressed enough to cause the screen damage.

Edit: I had the original Apple Watch (Series 0) since launch day and I cracked that one TWICE, plus various scratches on the body and screen. Luckily I had AppleCare so it was relatively inexpensive to replace it both times. I gave that one to my little brother and he had a crack in the corner of the screen not long after. I’ve had my stainless steel series 3 for almost two years now and not so much as a single scuff or scratch on the body or screen...

 

[Rogifan]

Jony Ive, though he created some really cool designs, has a history of consumer products littered with flaws that developed once his 'art' was used in the real world. Going back to the G4 cube, which developed cracks in its polycarbonate shell soon after its release.

Before that, the white iBooks developed cracks around the edges of the laptop.

Fast forward to the 'innovative' design of the butterfly keyboard (which turned out to be horribly flawed) and several problems in between.

I've said it before, but to me, a great designer makes stuff that not only looks cool, but also holds up in the world against wear, tear, weather, and human use. Jony Ive's designs too often failed the second part of that equation.

I missed where it was determined this cracking is due to a flaw in the product’s design.

I have a soft spot for Jony Ive.

I feel like no one is perfect.

What Apple may have needed was Jony Ive to design but then another guy to figure out materials and sturdiness. If they already have someone, get a better person or hire more people.

Apple employs thousands of hardware engineers, mechanical design engineers, materials scientists, etc. There’s not one guy figuring out how to engineer and build designs, there’s hundreds or thousands.

 

[Brien]

Jony Ive, though he created some really cool designs, has a history of consumer products littered with flaws that developed once his 'art' was used in the real world. Going back to the G4 cube, which developed cracks in its polycarbonate shell soon after its release.

Before that, the white iBooks developed cracks around the edges of the laptop.

Fast forward to the 'innovative' design of the butterfly keyboard (which turned out to be horribly flawed) and several problems in between.

I've said it before, but to me, a great designer makes stuff that not only looks cool, but also holds up in the world against wear, tear, weather, and human use. Jony Ive's designs too often failed the second part of that equation.

MacBook top cases had cracking issues too.

 

[mtneer]

I have a soft spot for Jony Ive.

I feel like no one is perfect.

What Apple may have needed was Jony Ive to design but then another guy to figure out materials and sturdiness. If they already have someone, get a better person or hire more people.

I wouldn't be surprised if Jony Ive left because he got put under technical supervision after the keyboard fiasco. Maybe it will be in someone's tell-all book in 15 years.

 

[twistedpixel8]

And what are they going to do about the £400 I spent on a brand new one after they refused to replace mine for this exact crack? So annoyed.

 

[keysofanxiety]

And what are they going to do about the £400 I spent on a brand new one after they refused to replace mine for this exact crack? So annoyed.

For anybody reading: if you paid for a repair for this issue, they should reimburse the cost if you get in touch with AppleCare.

With regards to you buying a new one, all I can suggest is getting the old one repaired for free and selling it to hopefully get most of the money back.

 

[FogCityMac]

At some point, Apple’s business model of selling extremely expensive devices along with absolute denial of manufacturing/design/service flaws experienced by large numbers of customers is going to bite them in the a$$.

Apple’s innovation has been lagging for years. They have ridden the cool factor and race to the thinnest about as far as they can go. Each year the value proposition of their products diminishes greatly.

 

[Westside guy]

My wife had this happen about a year ago. The Apple Store guys told her “there was nothing we can do” and sold her a new watch. They also cleverly kept the old one, so it’s not like she could go back and have them take care of this now.

I was kind of pissed at the time because she wouldn’t push them... I thought it looked like a flaw in the watch. And now we see that it was...

 

[31 Flavas]

"very rare circumstances" lol I worked at a London flagship and we saw this all the time

Well, the Note 7 was cancelled over only a small fraction of the phones becoming IEDs so “very rare” must mean non existent in Samsung terms for Apple.

 

[pweicks]

Well, the Note 7 was cancelled over only a small fraction of the phones becoming IEDs so “very rare” must mean non existent in Samsung terms for Apple.

Who cares? I compare Apple to Apple. I don’t compare them to Samsung.

 

[s15119]

best customer service in the industry.
[doublepost=1567215188][/doublepost]

"very rare circumstances" lol I worked at a London flagship and we saw this all the time

And you didn't see any of the hundreds of thousands who didn't have the problem. There is a flaw in your logic.

 

[konqerror]

Afternoon before a holiday weekend... Apple isn't above slimy PR techniques.