Apple Watch Sport Bands Come in Three Pieces, Full Band Swapping Not Possible

[MacRumors]

Earlier today, we shared a service called BandSwapper, designed to let people who purchase an Apple Watch Sport trade their extra unused Sport Bands for a Sport Band in a different size and color. As it turns out, Sport Band trading is not going to be possible, due to the way that the bands are configured.

Ahead of pre-orders, the Apple Watch Sport was advertised as shipping with two separate bands in S/M and M/L sizes, leading people to believe there were two full bands included with each Apple Watch Sport purchase.

Shortly after we shared the BandSwapper site, MacRumors readers began letting us know that customers do not, in fact, receive two complete sport bands when purchasing an Apple Watch that comes with a Sport Band. Instead, the watches come with three band pieces that when put together, allow for two different band sizes in S/M or M/L to fit all wrists.

TechCrunch has confirmed ("with very good authority") that buyers do not get two full watchbands with an Apple Watch Sport, so sites like BandSwapper will not be able to offer customers a way to trade for a complete band.

You see, Apple Sport Watch models technically do come with two bands, but in practice, it's not two full bands, but rather three pieces. There's one piece that attaches to one end of the watch with the fastener, and then two additional bands (the side with the holes) that attach to the other side of the watch. These two bands come in two different lengths -- a S/M size for smaller wrists and an M/L size for larger wrists.

In other words, you won't have an entire extra band to swap.

The band swapping sites could potentially allow customers to swap for half bands to have a watch strap that's multi-colored, but it's unlikely that this will be an appealing option to many consumers. It appears that acquiring multiple Sport Band colors will require full band purchases.

Image of Sport Band packaging showing two different straps with holes, but only one strap with a pin. Still shot taken from an unboxing video.​

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On Twitter, BandSwapper has been suggesting that the three-piece Apple Watch Sport Band configuration is "speculation," but it has now been confirmed by reputable sources and through images shared on the MacRumors forums.

Update: MacRumors has also confirmed that the Apple Watch Sport ships with three band pieces, not four. There's a section with a pin and two additional sections to allow users to adjust length.

Article Link: Apple Watch Sport Bands Come in Three Pieces, Full Band Swapping Not Possible

 

[jermy4]

I knew this would be too good to be true. This does make more sense though.

 

[tgarrison]

Speculation, meet reality. LOL.

 

[JackWendyDanny]

Bandswapper - a good idea for about 12 hours. They jumped to get there brand out there first… but I bet they wish they'd waited now.

 

[Locoboof]

So much for that! Lol... I wasn't concerned,but sucks for those who were counting on it.

 

[cdm283813]

Apple no longer makes simple I guess. Even the bands are convoluted.

 

[cobbyco]

Apple no longer makes simple I guess. Even the bands are convoluted.

How are they convoluted?

It's a choice between two pieces on one side of the watch, depending on your wrist size. The third piece always goes on the opposite side of the wrist. That's it.

 

[dacreativeguy]

The next blow will be to the large charging stand market that has been born out of rumors. Some articles say the watch only functions when touching skin. Others say all alerts/alarms are silenced while charging as a do not disturb feature. We'll know in 2 weeks.

 

[Benmckillop]

I contacted Apple earlier asking about this and this was the reply... Not sure what it means in relation to this

 

[2457282]

"band swapping sites could potentially allow customers to swap for half bands to have a watch strap that's multi-colored."

I posted this very thing in the original band swapping article. No clue anyone actually paid attention to what I say. Kinda cool. Thanks MR. I feel loved now.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Apple Store staff don't seem to know this

I was in there for a try on appointment today, with my wife, and two sales reps specifically told us we could trade (she's getting white, and I'm getting black).

 

[Mac-Mac-McAfee]

That's what people get when making deals and promises for something that hasn't been sold yet.

 

[JPyre]

Just to be clear for all the people still confused:
1) With Aluminum "Sport" and Stainless Steel "Watch" w/ Sport band - You get 2 bottom straps and 1 top strap.
2) The reason the box content labels are different is because only one type of Stainless Steel "Watch" has two bands in box. Apple would not make two versions of the Stainless Steel "Watch" box just to allow the proper sport band labeling. They would however brag that "Sport" comes with two (3pc) in the box.

 

[MacrumoursUser]

Bunch of *****s.

 

[jermy4]

"band swapping sites could potentially allow customers to swap for half bands to have a watch strap that's multi-colored."

I posted this very thing in the original band swapping article. No clue anyone actually paid attention to what I say. Kinda cool. Thanks MR. I feel loved now.

I'm not sure that would look right though???

 

[djbuu]

Bandswapper - a good idea for about 12 hours. They jumped to get there brand out there first… but I bet they wish they'd waited now.

No way. They had a good brand, good advertising, good logos... Everything!

This may not work out for them but the people behind the site will land on their feet because they clearly have what it takes to be successful. Only wish I was a part of it.

 

[TechZeke]

This actually made me laugh, as if Apple would give you spare anything. The Retina MacBook doesn't even come with an adapter even with its $1300 price tag, with the adapter being the only way to connect anything but the charger to it. Sometimes I feel like would they love to make you pay $80 for a charger by not including it in the box altogether if they could get away with it.

In all honesty, I'm surprised it even gives a spare half-band to begin with.

 

[Sirious]

It all makes sense.

 

[The Bogeyman]

Well that's their business model buggered.

And for that reason, I'm out. ⌚️#

 

[timborama]

Considering what's on apple.com. It is pretty misleading. Maybe is should have said "Three half bands".

What’s in the box
-----------------------
Apple Watch
Magnetic charging cable (2 m)
USB power adapter (5W)
Two bands
Quick start guide

 

[kmj2318]

I think mixing the pink, blue, or green bands with each other would look pretty cool.

 

[SockRolid]

... sites like BandSwapper will not be able to offer customers a way to trade for a complete band.

Mini dot-com bubble burst.
#SadSockPuppet

 

[JackWendyDanny]

No way. They had a good brand, good advertising, good logos... Everything!

This may not work out for them but the people behind the site will land on their feet because they clearly have what it takes to be successful. Only wish I was a part of it.

If "they had what it takes to be successful" they'd have succeeded.

 

[Carlanga]

Bandswapper - a good idea for about 12 hours. They jumped to get there brand out there first… but I bet they wish they'd waited now.

They couldn't; someone else would have beaten them to the punch. This type of risk/reward model is similar to the case makers of iOS devices. This time they lost the reward.

 

[V.K.]

forget about band swapping. where are the 3rd party bands? I am surprised there are any advertized yet except for some kickstarter projects.