Apple refuses to replace Series 4 Battery

[Lounge vibes 05]

You seem very angry over this but I have to agree with everyone else. If it doesn't read at or below 80% Apple won't do anything and the series 3 which based on age is probably what you have since I've never heard of an SS model unless you mean SE. If it's a series 4 as someone else said it's gonna be marked vintage any day. If it's series 3 you've for a few more years of support.

Regardless, it's such an old watch you'll likely lose support for features or even the ability to connect it to newer versions of iOS before you hit 10 years. Plus, used watches are inexpensive and plenty have better batteries with newer battery technology and far fewer cycles for around the cost of a replacement battery.

An environmental group won't care about an apple watch not being replaced BECAUSE it's being replaced. It's well known that these are effectively disposable devices since they were announced and they already threw their fits and nothing changed. Plus there are far worse companies they are going to focus their resources on.

At the end of the day I'd recommend taking some time to calm down and really think about it. Do you need an Apple Watch? Do you really want to keep a watch that will lose support sometime in the near future? Do you want to have to limit yourself to old and less secure versions of iOS? If you're this worked up now, maybe it's time to see what it's like on the other side. Maybe when it's time to upgrade your iPhone try an android phone. I don't mean to come off rude but you'll find it's far worse on the other side in many aspects and better for what you want in others.

Apple has been consistent in their 80% policy for as long as I can remember and it's well known that the tech that checks the batteries current capacity is not reliable. From the sound of it a "Genius" leveled with you, but they don't have any ability to override company policy.

If you really want to waste $100 call Apple and speak with a technician, if you get no where ask for a case manager. Case managers are the only ones who can make exceptions. When my iPhone battery caught fire they overrode policy to replace my whole iPhone 5 thru my local store. When my 2012 Macbook Pro (non retina) had 4 logic board replacements and became unusable due to a cracked logic board they overrode policy and got me out of the loop of refurbished parts and instead sent me a brand new in the box with charger laptop at no cost. But don't forget, you'll catch more flies with honey. Be polite, express your frustration in a calm tone and explain what's happening but stay respectful. Otherwise you'll get nowhere.

When I worked retail my management always said, if your kind and understanding I'll use any grey area I can to help. If you're rude or disrespectful I'll follow policy to the letter. I find most people tend to follow that tip.

Yes, everything in this comment.
Apple’s policy towards their products is absolutely not news to environmental agencies. The stuff is already out there, literally written in the terms and conditions.
Wearables made in the 2010s were just simply not made to last that long unfortunately. At the end of the day, it’s a piece of technology, not actual valuable jewelry, and it should be treated as such.
Paying Apple actual money to replace the battery in a Series 4 instead of trying to find a newer model used for around the same price is a bit like spending money on an iPhone X or XS in 2024/2025, yes, you absolutely can but your money is probably much better spent finding a refurbished or used iPhone 12 or 13.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

SS means Stainless Steel.

I disagree with myhaksown, the OP is right from the very beginning. The S4 still works and works well. If he wishes to have his S4 battery replaced he should do so. Hell, he is even offering Apple $99 to do it.

On a fundamental level, I absolutely agree, in theory.
In practice, however, the world does not work in best case scenarios and throwing $99 at a Watch that can’t receive the latest software update, and that could be locked out of connecting to future versions of iOS at any time Apple decides is necessary, seems like a major waste of money. Especially when on the used market the watch isn’t even worth $99. You are literally handing Apple free money.
Plus even with a brand new 100% capacity battery, the series 4 (which shipped with OS 5.0) is still going to have a significantly worse battery life on the much more demanding OS 10.5 it was left on.
It’s a waste of money.
The OP stated that he only uses it for notifications and doesn’t care about any of the fancy updates, which is exactly what something like the Apple Watch SE is for.
There are options here, but most importantly, make the purchase, knowing that it is a tech product, not jewelry.

 

[TechnoMonk]

On a fundamental level, I absolutely agree, in theory.
In practice, however, the world does not work in best case scenarios and throwing $99 at a Watch that can’t receive the latest software update, and that could be locked out of connecting to future versions of iOS at any time Apple decides is necessary, seems like a major waste of money. Especially when on the used market the watch isn’t even worth $99. You are literally handing Apple free money.
Plus even with a brand new 100% capacity battery, the series 4 (which shipped with OS 5.0) is still going to have a significantly worse battery life on the much more demanding OS 10.5 it was left on.
It’s a waste of money.
The OP stated that he only uses it for notifications and doesn’t care about any of the fancy updates, which is exactly what something like the Apple Watch SE is for.
There are options here, but most importantly, make the purchase, knowing that it is a tech product, not jewelry.

Absolutely, AW4 has already stopped receiving upgrades/updates. It will be on obsolete/vintage list very soon.

 

[Parowdy]

No it went into low power mode today after 1 hour (most features like heart rate turned off).

Yes it makes sense to complain about these issues - plenty of time for other things - but being lectured about being an environmental company and then saying to buy a new watch is absolutely disgusting.

Hold it right there.
To say it is disgusting that, essentially, you get a new watch and your old one becomes e-waste is ridiculous. And I hope for obvious reasons.
To say Apple is knowingly possibly denying customers service their devices should be eligible for, that qualifies as disgusting.
Not whatever you’re rambling about their environmental policies and marketing.

 

[TooMuchPhone]

Hold it right there.
To say it is disgusting that, essentially, you get a new watch and your old one becomes e-waste is ridiculous. And I hope for obvious reasons.
To say Apple is knowingly possibly denying customers service their devices should be eligible for, that qualifies as disgusting.
Not whatever you’re rambling about their environmental policies and marketing.

Apple admitted the test is faulty so yes - they are denying service I am entitled to - yes it’s disgusting if you don’t see it you are just….well we know what

 

[TooMuchPhone]

Absolutely, AW4 has already stopped receiving upgrades/updates. It will be on obsolete/vintage list very soon.

lol imagine any other watch company not providing batteries after 7 years.

I knew this going into thr purchase - figured I’d get one battery swap and have the ss watch for 10 years. I would have gotten the aluminum if I would have seen this issue coming because who cares about scratches if you’re just going to throw it out in short order.

 

[wilberforce]

Hold it right there.
To say it is disgusting that, essentially, you get a new watch and your old one becomes e-waste is ridiculous. And I hope for obvious reasons.
To say Apple is knowingly possibly denying customers service their devices should be eligible for, that qualifies as disgusting.
Not whatever you’re rambling about their environmental policies and marketing.

I guess not disgusting enough to refuse to buy another one. It is an optional luxury

 

[5167767]

It seems that you have to buy a new watch every 2 or 3 years. Not only the battery issue, but, software updates won’t be available. I have a series 3 and most likely won’t replace it when it stops working.

 

[wilberforce]

Btw if Apple “replaces” the battery there is exactly the same amount of ”throwing away” as if you buy a new one. In both cases your watch gets thrown away (aside from materials recycling). In the first case it is replaced by a “refurb” one which is not actually a refurbished old watch, but is actually a new one that was previously returned, or a new one from old stock

 

[TechnoMonk]

lol imagine any other watch company not providing batteries after 7 years.

I knew this going into thr purchase - figured I’d get one battery swap and have the ss watch for 10 years. I would have gotten the aluminum if I would have seen this issue coming because who cares about scratches if you’re just going to throw it out in short order.

Apple publishes the obsolete/vintage policy you agreed when you bought the watch. Good luck getting batteries replaced by garmin and polar after 7 years.

 

[TechnoMonk]

It seems that you have to buy a new watch every 2 or 3 years. Not only the battery issue, but, software updates won’t be available. I have a series 3 and most likely won’t replace it when it stops working.

Not 2-3 years. I had my s6 for 4 years and just got it replaced under AC. The replacement S6 should last another 2-3 years easily. Not bad for a watch to last 6/7 years. Battery with replacement is a big deal, I charge it much less often.

 

[HappyDude20]

It seems that you have to buy a new watch every 2 or 3 years. Not only the battery issue, but, software updates won’t be available. I have a series 3 and most likely won’t replace it when it stops working.

Exactly 💯

Just cause Apple considers the device vintage and obsolete doesn’t mean it’s useless.

 

[jz0309]

See the link below - an AW battery is designed to stay above 80% for 1,000 (one thousand) cycles, so it is very much possible that your S4 is not below that threshold. So, just wait for your next appointment and see what they have to say.
But clearly, IF your S4 is NOT below 80%, Apple does not need to do anything for you.

Batteries - Service and Recycling

Learn about battery service and recycling for Apple devices. All rechargeable batteries need to be serviced eventually.

www.apple.com

 

[jz0309]

It seems that you have to buy a new watch every 2 or 3 years. Not only the battery issue, but, software updates won’t be available. I have a series 3 and most likely won’t replace it when it stops working.

false, S4 was dropped from OS updates with watchOS 11, so got updates for 6 years.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Folks who wish Apple's pricing was lower should consider how much cost in worker-hours Apple has already spent on the OP's issue. Just one owner of one aging device.

 

[HappyDude20]

Is there a list somewhere that can tell me when the S4 will be considered vintage/obsolete?

I’d like to know when’s the last possible month I could get my S4 battery replaced one last time.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Is there a list somewhere that can tell me when the S4 will be considered vintage/obsolete?

I’d like to know when’s the last possible month I could get my S4 battery replaced one last time.

It’s not yet obsolete. But it will be soon as Apple has already stopped updates, and the s4 was discontinued in 2019. Apple usually makes it obsolete 5 years after it stopped selling the watch. Expect it to be obsolete sometime from summer 2025 to end of the year.

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Learn about your options for getting service and parts for Apple devices that are past their warranty period.

support.apple.com

 

[Allen_Wentz]

It seems that you have to buy a new watch every 2 or 3 years. Not only the battery issue, but, software updates won’t be available. I have a series 3 and most likely won’t replace it when it stops working.

?? How can you say "you have to buy a new watch every 2 or 3 years" in the same para where you say you "have a series 3 and most likely won’t replace it when it stops working?" By your own words the AW lasts at least 7 years, not 2-3.

 

[TooMuchPhone]

See the link below - an AW battery is designed to stay above 80% for 1,000 (one thousand) cycles, so it is very much possible that your S4 is not below that threshold. So, just wait for your next appointment and see what they have to say.
But clearly, IF your S4 is NOT below 80%, Apple does not need to do anything for you.

Batteries - Service and Recycling

Learn about battery service and recycling for Apple devices. All rechargeable batteries need to be serviced eventually.

www.apple.com

Time also degrades the battery - not simply cycles. So if they go by cycles alone then they are doing a disservice to the customer.

Edit: this further shows how Apple is artificially limiting the life of A watch - the battery degrades - restarts - can’t last in cold weather but the health shows over 79 so sorry - you’re stuck with a non-working device and then they make it vintage - disgusting

 

[TechnoMonk]

?? How can you say "you have to buy a new watch every 2 or 3 years" in the same para where you say you "have a series 3 and most likely won’t replace it when it stops working?" By your own words the AW lasts at least 7 years, not 2-3.

Hyperbole. Sounds dramatic, facts be damned.

 

[5167767]

?? How can you say "you have to buy a new watch every 2 or 3 years" in the same para where you say you "have a series 3 and most likely won’t replace it when it stops working?" By your own words the AW lasts at least 7 years, not 2-3.

No need for the anger. You get so offended when someone states their opinion. My Apple Watch stopped receiving updates a year or two ago. I purchased my Apple Watch shortly before it got unsupported. For the Apple Watch to run smoothly and not stutter or be choppy. You need a current Watch. My Apple Watch Series 3 has been borderline unusable for a while and stopped connecting to my Apple TV for fitness plus workout in January. So, I am just saying once it breaks completely. I won’t replace it .

 

[jz0309]

Time also degrades the battery - not simply cycles. So if they go by cycles alone then they are doing a disservice to the customer.

Edit: this further shows how Apple is artificially limiting the life of A watch - the battery degrades - restarts - can’t last in cold weather but the health shows over 79 so sorry - you’re stuck with a non-working device and then they make it vintage - disgusting

the criteria (well documented) is "below 80%" battery health, nothing else. Simple as that.

 

[TooMuchPhone]

the criteria (well documented) is "below 80%" battery health, nothing else. Simple as that.

And this is exactly how Apple is doing planned obsolescence- they won’t fix a device that needs a battery to keep working. There is no way my batttery is at 90% health after 6.5 years so the measurement is faulty or it’s not saying anything about how the device will function with this battery. It’s a scam.

 

[TechnoMonk]

And this is exactly how Apple is doing planned obsolescence- they won’t fix a device that needs a battery to keep working. There is no way my batttery is at 90% health after 6.5 years so the measurement is faulty or it’s not saying anything about how the device will function with this battery. It’s a scam.

File a lawsuit if it is a scam.

 

[TooMuchPhone]

File a lawsuit if it is a scam.

A lawsuit is expensive - I’ll simply pass along my experience to promote positive change for consumers.

Edit: and if we can have keynotes without environmental preaching that would also be a win.