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Apple Watch SS screen question

drew0020

drew0020

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Nov 10, 2006
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Just purchased an Apple Watch 42 mm Stainless Steel with the sapphire screen for my Dad. The Watch is great, but under direct sunlight (at an angle) the screen looks bumpy and wavy. We can't see these minor imperfections in any other light. Is this pretty normal for the Watch?
 
drew0020 said:
Just purchased an Apple Watch 42 mm Stainless Steel with the sapphire screen for my Dad. The Watch is great, but under direct sunlight (at an angle) the screen looks bumpy and wavy. We can't see these minor imperfections in any other light. Is this pretty normal for the Watch?
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I think it's normal. When you say bumpy, there should be just the odd small bump rather than full on waves.
 
There are two odd small bumps that we can see. Wasn't sure if that's just the way the light reflects. Only can see in certain angles. Not sure how we noticed it in the first place haha.
 
I think it's the sapphire glass rather than the screen. I've had a couple (due to being undecided on straps) and they've all had the slight bumps under the glass.
 
All of yours had these slight bumps? It's kind of strange but only noticeable in direct sunlight thankfully.
 
drew0020 said:
All of yours had these slight bumps? It's kind of strange but only noticeable in direct sunlight thankfully.
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I can't speak for the "Bumps, but the waviness is prevalent on all my Apple Watch Stainless models. It's not a defect, it's part if the display. But again, I don't have any visual of the bumps.
 
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The bumps (there are two of them) are hard to explain. They aren't visible at all unless in direct sunlight at a certain angle. It almost looks like dropping a pebble in the water, a ripple effect. I guess if its normal, but I never noticed this before on my Series 0. I've since sold it so cannot check if this issue was present on that Watch as well.
 
drew0020 said:
The bumps (there are two of them) are hard to explain. They aren't visible at all unless in direct sunlight at a certain angle. It almost looks like dropping a pebble in the water, a ripple effect. I guess if its normal, but I never noticed this before on my Series 0. I've since sold it so cannot check if this issue was present on that Watch as well.
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If you were still concerned, you could make an appointment with Apple. They could at least look at it. I have never heard of this before with bumps. It's possible it could be a defect, even if it has no effect on the performance or display of the Watch.

If possible with the right lighting, would you be able to take a picture and post it on here?
 
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It's not easy to get a picture. It is only certain angles in bright sunlight. It's probably an illusion, but in this case there look to be two small bumps (although the surface is perfect). We just happened to notice this and now we cannot stop noticing it.
 
drew0020 said:
It's not easy to get a picture. It is only certain angles in bright sunlight. It's probably an illusion, but in this case there look to be two small bumps (although the surface is perfect). We just happened to notice this and now we cannot stop noticing it.
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If you are not too concerned about it, then I would try to avoid looking at it. Otherwise, like I mentioned before, you can make an appointment with Apple.
 
I know what you are talking about. I used to have a 38mm SS S0 and have now upgrade to the 42mm SS S2, and I notice the screen looks a little different when viewed under bright light - the S2's seems to show this wavy pattern on the edges and it looks like the screen has "sunk in" a little bit in the middle compared to the edge. Of course when you view the watch screen at its profile from the side, this is not true, in other words, it is more like an optical effect/illusion.

My guess to this difference is, the S2 has better waterproofing and Apple has changed the way the screen is attached to the body so the reflections from under the screen edge is making this optical illusion.

Otherwise I don't see any problems with this other than it looks different from the S0 - if you never owned the S0 before I doubt anyone would care.
 
GoSUV said:
I know what you are talking about. I used to have a 38mm SS S0 and have now upgrade to the 42mm SS S2, and I notice the screen looks a little different when viewed under bright light - the S2's seems to show this wavy pattern on the edges and it looks like the screen has "sunk in" a little bit in the middle compared to the edge. Of course when you view the watch screen at its profile from the side, this is not true, in other words, it is more like an optical effect/illusion.

My guess to this difference is, the S2 has better waterproofing and Apple has changed the way the screen is attached to the body so the reflections from under the screen edge is making this optical illusion.

Otherwise I don't see any problems with this other than it looks different from the S0 - if you never owned the S0 before I doubt anyone would care.
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I definitely see the wavy pattern when the light refracts off the display in a certain angle. But I've never seen anything with bumps. I don't know if that's anything to be concerned with, but if it was a defect, I would certainly address it with Apple.
 
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If anything, the wavy effect is very subtle, and only visible under certain lighting conditions at certain angles. To prove the screen surface is perfectly flat, just put it face down on a table and the wavy effect is definitely just an optical illusion, rather than real "bumps". I honestly don't think this is a defect at all, just different from the S0.
 
GoSUV said:
If anything, the wavy effect is very subtle, and only visible under certain lighting conditions at certain angles. To prove the screen surface is perfectly flat, just put it face down on a table and the wavy effect is definitely just an optical illusion, rather than real "bumps". I honestly don't think this is a defect at all, just different from the S0.
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I personally think no two displays are alike. They're all going to vary with consistency. But again, if you're looking for defects, sometimes you find them. If it's not a defect on the watch, I would leave it be.
 
I've looked at 5 more SS models and they all have this issue with the bumps in direct sunlight. I guess it's a "feature" of the Series 2 model. I'm glad there is nothing wrong with mine.
 
drew0020 said:
I've looked at 5 more SS models and they all have this issue with the bumps in direct sunlight. I guess it's a "feature" of the Series 2 model. I'm glad there is nothing wrong with mine.
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That's strange. I looked at mine, and I don't see any bumps or indications of that on my stainless models.
 
drew0020 said:
I've looked at 5 more SS models and they all have this issue with the bumps in direct sunlight. I guess it's a "feature" of the Series 2 model. I'm glad there is nothing wrong with mine.
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Same here. All SS's I've seen have this, they are not even in the same location.

Shine your iPhone camera light over the screen and you'll see them.
 
maka344 said:
Same here. All SS's I've seen have this, they are not even in the same location.

Shine your iPhone camera light over the screen and you'll see them.
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It can't be All of them. I called Apple and they passed the question on to an engineer for clarification. The representative I spoke with, examined his Series 2 with a light while on the phone and he also did not have any. Quanta is a Watch manufacturer for Apple, its possible that different displays are used from different display manufacturers producing the same result.

Also, for comparison, I have five Stainless Apple steel Watches. Both generations. Examined all of them. None of them have "Bumps" anywhere on or under the display.
 
Relentless Power said:
It can't be All of them. I called Apple and they passed the question on to an engineer for clarification. The representative I spoke with, examined his Series 2 with a light while on the phone and he also did not have any. Quanta is a Watch manufacturer for Apple, its possible that different displays are used from different display manufacturers producing the same result.

Also, for comparison, I have five Stainless Apple steel Watches. Both generations. Examined all of them. None of them have "Bumps" anywhere on or under the display.
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Trust me it's there. It's not easy to see, but once you see it it's slightly annoying. A bright indoor light is much harder to see the phenomenon. Typically bright sunlight is the easiest.

I've seen it in every single SS Watch Series 2 I've looked at (12 in total) including my sister in laws brand new 38mm ceramic today. Was at the Apple Store and they have very bright lights and couldn't see it on mine or any of the display models.
 
drew0020 said:
Trust me it's there. It's not easy to see, but once you see it it's slightly annoying. A bright indoor light is much harder to see the phenomenon. Typically bright sunlight is the easiest.

I've seen it in every single SS Watch Series 2 I've looked at (12 in total) including my sister in laws brand new 38mm ceramic today. Was at the Apple Store and they have very bright lights and couldn't see it on mine or any of the display models.
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I believe you. However, I did take a flashlight to the five I own and it wasnt evident when I viewed it from multiple angles (Series 2). I did pass my question on to An Apple engineer and was told I would receive a call by next Thursday, as to what this could be. Now my interest is piqued.
 
Relentless Power said:
I believe you. However, I did take a flashlight to the five I own and it wasnt evident when I viewed it from multiple angles (Series 2). I did pass my question on to An Apple engineer and was told I would receive a call by next Thursday, as to what this could be. Now my interest is piqued.
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I can barely see it indoors on the 5 Series 2's that my family owns (it's clearly visible outdoors on all). It's a certain angle with very bright outdoor light. It reminds me of using polarized sunglasses and looking at your cars window tint.

I was more worried that I had an issue with my watch. But seeing every single SS Series 2 I've seen has it I'm not overly concerned. The angle and amount of sun is such a rare combo unless you go looking for it. Really not a major issue.
 
drew0020 said:
I can barely see it indoors on the 5 Series 2's that my family owns (it's clearly visible outdoors on all). It's a certain angle with very bright outdoor light. It reminds me of using polarized sunglasses and looking at your cars window tint.

I was more worried that I had an issue with my watch. But seeing every single SS Series 2 I've seen has it I'm not overly concerned. The angle and amount of sun is such a rare combo unless you go looking for it. Really not a major issue.
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I'm still interested to see the meaning behind it. Hopefully I receive a call back Thursday.
 
As I've posted above, this is what I've noticed too all on S2's.

There are patches/waves (2-3) that can be seen in the right light and at the right times position.

Doesn't impact use and unless you are looking for them, you can't really see them.

To really see them, turn the Watch off and use your iPhone camera light and spend a good few minutes looking properly.
 
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