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In writing Apple informed me that the real health of the battery is between 60-65% so yes, it meets the required criteria.

so what? if they next say:

'sorry, we dont have the part. we, really cant help ya if we wanted to...'

what recourse or expectation do you have?
this is tired. they arent going to do it.

go to a third party specialist shop and support what theyre doing for RTR and filling in the gap Apple is leaving you in.

if you (and to your point, more people)
dont take up these services, they probably wont be around for you later.
 
so what? if they next say:

'sorry, we dont have the part. we, really cant help ya if we wanted to...'

what recourse or expectation do you have?
this is tired. they arent going to do it.

go to a third party specialist shop and support what theyre doing for RTR and filling in the gap Apple is leaving you in.

if you (and to your point, more people)
dont take up these services, they probably wont be around for you later.
By law they need to have the part for a number of years after they stop selling it. My intentional timing was to request the repair before this period expired and they declared the watch as “vintage.”

I have no confidence in 3rd party solutions.
 
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By law they need to have the part for a number of years after they stop selling it. My intentional timing was to request the repair before this period expired and they declared the watch as “vintage.”

I have no confidence in 3rd party solutions.

OK cool, still focused on the why and not the how, I see.

Good luck in court or down at the police station or whatever!

When you get over it, here’s one ‘how’: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Apple+Watch+Series+4+Battery+Replacement/133422
 
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Going to pass on this “how”:

Wear eye protection: The knife or glass may break, sending pieces flying.

DIY is not for everyone. There are professionals who do this repair all day long.

If you pay a small fee, you can get a new battery installed in your cherished watch.

if you choose to flail around some more, going back and (not actually) forth with Apple to no end, go ahead, but sounds like that route won’t net you a functioning watch.
 
laws are there to be broken all laws have loop holes for and against. by the time you get this resolved there will another 2 generations of apple watches and is it going to change anything for the general population ? answer is no your just pursuing your own personal agenda without considering any alternative solution .. if the store will NOT offer you a battery replacement for your watch S4 which is still functional albeit battery performance has been degraded as per any other model will experience after a couple of years.so what are they offering you as an alternative solution because most legitimate stores will offer various solutions albeit at a minor cost but something is better than nothing .
 
Bored, I read this entire thread. What a beating.

FYI, I have a Series 5 ceramic that the moment it showed 79% in battery health (not long after WatchOS 10 was released) I initiated a battery repair with Apple, online. Never visited an Apple store, whatnot. Took about 15 minutes via a phone call. Return box was mailed to me, I packed up my watch....and received a completely different S5 ceramic a few days later. Battery showed 100%, etc. Have also had a "battery" replacement with one of my wife's SS watches a few years back. Received a completely different watch that showed 100% battery when it was paired.

Apple does not replace batteries. They replace the entire watch. And OP, I don't get how attached you are to that specific watch, Apple will never just take it in the back, replace the battery and hand it back. It's not cost efficient to replace a battery for Apple, they just swap watches with you for a fee (or for free under certain criteria). And the reason they are only offering a credit now, more than likely is because they don't have any more SS Series 4 watches to swap out with you.

Take the credit or don't. Take your watch to a third-party and get a battery replacement, or don't. But you aren't going to get a battery replacement from Apple.
 
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Bored, I read this entire thread. What a beating.

FYI, I have a Series 5 ceramic that the moment it showed 79% in battery health (not long after WatchOS 10 was released) I initiated a battery repair with Apple, online. Never visited an Apple store, whatnot. Took about 15 minutes via a phone call. Return box was mailed to me, I packed up my watch....and received a completely different S5 ceramic a few days later. Battery showed 100%, etc. Have also had a "battery" replacement with one of my wife's SS watches a few years back. Received a completely different watch that showed 100% battery when it was paired.

Apple does not replace batteries. They replace the entire watch. And OP, I don't get how attached you are to that specific watch, Apple will never just take it in the back, replace the battery and hand it back. It's not cost efficient to replace a battery for Apple, they just swap watches with you for a fee (or for free under certain criteria). And the reason they are only offering a credit now, more than likely is because they don't have any more SS Series 4 watches to swap out with you.

Take the credit or don't. Take your watch to a third-party and get a battery replacement, or don't. But you aren't going to get a battery replacement from Apple.
According to the Apple website I am entitled to to a new battery (or as you say refurnished unit) for $100. If they don’t have this model I informed them I would take any model 4+. The manager at my Apple store told me that someone on his team sent an old watch back and got a 10 in return. My issue is my battery with its 900 cycles is stuck at a fake 90% health so the repair depot won’t do the exchange as they separately test it even after the Apple Store diagnostic. My issue is there should be a procedure in place to override the health report and provide the promised service, not look for a way out of making good on what was promised when I made the purchase.
 
Moderator Note:

This thread is really close to getting shut down. Keep it civil and if nothing new to add (since this is going around in circles), we don't need to rehash the same comments.
There is still the larger issue here (outside this thread) about how well Apple provides service for products where they can not replace batteries in-store, instead having to replace the whole unit. Would be great to see a comprehensive article here from user feedback across these items (iPads, AirPods, watches).
 
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I like my watch - I got ss and expected to be able to do a battery replacement and keep it for 10 years or so. I just need it for notifications - could care less about their garbage uninspired updates.

An environment group that wants an excuse to make a fuss may latch on to this. They won’t like the disposable aspect of a watch that simply needs a battery. $100 is fine for another 5 years - and no, Apple does not make much money on the battery. I also think the EU regulatory agency might be interested as they are looking to pass legislation that forces Apple to work with other smart watch brands. Can I get traction on this (assuming they don’t make it right night week) don’t know but worth trying as I believe these items should be supported - at least a battery. I doubt they could get away with this kind of service in Europe that has more laws to protect the consumer.
This is the kind of situation where an email to Tim Cook might do some good. Calmly explain your situation and that even the local store admits their test is faulty. Someone will read it and respond to you. I did something similar once after a bad experience on an airline where I had mid-level status. I got a call from a senior customer service representative within hours.
 
I brought up the gold watch today to the “genius”. - I remembered telling a customer who asked my opinion when I was buying my Apple Watch (series 0) to stay clear of the gold because it will be obsolete in 2 years - he agreed and also got the cheapest one.

I do like the ss because of the scratch resistance - I doubt I can get a used ss for $150 - then of course it would need to have a new battery….
The gold watch was a Jony Ive vanity project. Most of them went to celebrities as giveaways. Only the Hermes has survived as a “luxury” Apple Watch.
 
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This is the kind of situation where an email to Tim Cook might do some good. Calmly explain your situation and that even the local store admits their test is faulty. Someone will read it and respond to you. I did something similar once after a bad experience on an airline where I had mid-level status. I got a call from a senior customer service representative within hours.
It was already suggested for him to contact Tim Cooks Executive Relations Team. The OP never said if he did so or not..
 
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Apple Watch S4 is now on the obsolete list! The chances of getting your battery fixed is now 0%.

 
Apple Watch S4 is now on the obsolete list! The chances of getting your battery fixed is now 0%.

not so, its VINTAGE, not obsolete. Apple differentiates between those 2:
 
not so, its VINTAGE, not obsolete. Apple differentiates between those 2:

Either way it’s not supported anymore.

Owners of iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple Vision Pro, and Beats products may obtain service and parts from Apple service providers for a minimum of 5 years* from when Apple last distributed the product for sale.
 
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Time to close this thread and recycle that old watch.
Most likely  will not have trade in credit for it either next iPhone and Apple Watch release, it’s only valued at $50. The Apple Watch Series 6 and 5 may be the oldest ones to still have trade in value at Apple Store, YMMV.
 
Most likely  will not have trade in credit for it either next iPhone and Apple Watch release, it’s only valued at $50. The Apple Watch Series 6 and 5 may be the oldest ones to still have trade in value at Apple Store, YMMV.
I didn’t mean to get money for it. Recycle it, instead of the dumpster. I have a series 3 that will be recycled soon and I am not expecting a penny.
 
TL : DR
I have a real old watch with a lot of cycles....Probably should by a new one, but want a free one from Apple due to a testing glitch. "Agree", give him a discount on a new one.

He can get a new watch at the MR discounted rate. Problem solved!
 
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