Today the display of my original series Apple Watch's display popped off of the watch. I've never dropped it, take excellent care of all my Apple devices. I contacted Apple support and they asked my if I could tell if my battery was swollen, I sent them the attached pics but the rep said she didn't want to diagnose (even though she asked me if I could tell) it looks swollen to me. I was told Apple would repair/replace if that's the issue at no cost. Wanted to ask the experts here if this looks like a swollen battery. Thanks in advance!
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Apple Watch Display popped off, is this a swollen battery?
- Thread starter Jimmie Geddes
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You can take your finger and lightly press on the battery and run it along. It should be pretty leveled. From the pictures, it looks slightly bloated so I believe it is swollen and also that's the only time a screen would pop off.
I concur that it does look to be a bit swollen. If it is, do not put pressure on it or attempt to puncture it.
Thanks for the information, I feel lost without my watch.
[doublepost=1522292169][/doublepost]This is a first-gen Apple Watch, will Apple repair it in store or send it out to be repaired?
[doublepost=1522292169][/doublepost]This is a first-gen Apple Watch, will Apple repair it in store or send it out to be repaired?
For Apple Watch, it is sent out to an Apple Repair Center. If you bring it into the store, they will mail it in than repair it onsite. I believe this is the repair center where all the 911 accidental calls originate from 
https://support.apple.com/repair
https://support.apple.com/repair
Also, I doubt Apple actually will repair your first generation watch. They will likely issue you a refurbished Series one Apple Watch (Same color) in return. It will be much quicker of a process.
They will do this! Correct. I had been in the same boat with my Series 0. I went to my store and a Genius checked it. I erased it. He put it in a box (only the watch, not the band) and goodbye. The exchange arrived ca. 2 days later.
Do you guys recommend bringing it to a Genius Bar or have Apple send a box for it, as they have offered, but cannot guarantee a swollen battery is the issue until it gets in their hands. Thought it might be better to explain to a human (in-person) what happened at the Apple Store. Thanks for all of the info!
If you gently plop the display back where it used to sit, does it seal tightly against the casing or is it perching on top of the gas-bubbled battery...?
Btw, brave of you to unplug the ribbon cables. Not sure it's advisable to do that without disconnecting power first (IE, battery...)
I would go to the Genius Bar but is a store nearby or not?
Make an appointment, so you are safe. I would use your open support case. I suppose you´ve got a case number?
I didn't unplug anything, It popped off my watch and I found the display on the floor. Didn't do amything with cables.
[doublepost=1522501714][/doublepost]It does not seal tightly.
[doublepost=1522501714][/doublepost]It does not seal tightly.
Had mine on my wrist when I heard strange sounds. I moved my wrist slowly... "clap, clap". I gave it to my Dad. I´m spastic and sitting in a wheelchair. Only connection left? The cables. My Dad put it on the charger and the next morning everything seemed normal.
Contact Apple, They will send you a prepaid box, send the watch back to them and they will inspect it. Which they likely will issue you a replacement device (Series 1) due to the three-year warranty with swollen batteries with the first Gen Watch.
https://9to5mac.com/2017/04/28/apple-watch-expanded-swollen-battery-repair-coverage-warranty/amp/
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Whoah.
Yeah, then you surely have a swollen battery. Hopefully Apple will sort you out, as I recall reading the first-gen watches received longer warranty coverage because of the battery swelling some are experiencing. However long that will last though, I do not know. Probably not an infinite amount of time...
Take a piece of paper the length of the battery, and put it vertically on top of the battery. If the battery is not parallel to the paper all the way close to the edge, then it is likely swollen.
It had been swollen, yes. I just checked my repair authorization.
The Genius wrote: Local the display sits in the case again but it seems a bit loose.
Took it to the Apple Store yesterday and a Genius told me I'd be "upgraded" to a Series 1 because my battery was swollen. He said I should receive in about 7 days.
Congrats! What? Lucky you! I got still a Series 0 as an exchange but I was happy anyway, one without scratches on the SS case.
Apple issuing first generation Apple Watches in place of defective Apple Watch was approximately over a year ago, but since then, it’s converted to mainly Series one replacements in place of a defective first generation Apple Watch. So I’m not sure when you had your exchange, Apple is no longer issuing first generation Apple Watch replacement devices anymore.
It is definitely a known issue, Apple support chat informed me about the swollen battery issue, you can try using chat to setup a repair. They wanted to put a $199 authorization charge on my credit card and would credit me once they got my watch and confirmed it was a swollen battery. I decided to go to an Apple store close to me and the genius confirmed it was a known issue with the original Apple Watch and said it'd be sent out and I would receive a Series 1 in a few days shipped to me. Make sure you do this before your 3-year warranty is up, mine was up (no Apple Care) May 1.
Show the chat rep this if they say there's no such thing.
https://9to5mac.com/2017/04/28/apple-watch-expanded-swollen-battery-repair-coverage-warranty/
I'm wondering if there's a noticeable difference going to a Series 1 from the original in terms of speed, etc.
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There is no need to show they Apple representative/genius employee that article. They are fully trained and aware of the swollen battery issue with the first generation Apple Watch. Apple is usually very lenient with things like this because it’s out of the customers control and they will make the situation right likely by issuing a Series one.
In terms of speed, there is a difference with the updated dual core processor with The Series one over the first generation Apple Watch. Is it drastically faster? I would say it’s menial, but given as watchOS continually updates, it’s not nearly as fast as the Series 3 Apple Watch is with the faster dual core processor, which is 70% faster over the Series 1/Series 2. (As they both share the same Processor.)
I ended up going into the store about hearing of the authorization charge when I called in to ask about the program. They agreed about the swollen battery and told me the same. A series 1 should be at my door in a few days. Thanks!