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Uplift

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 1, 2011
465
187
UK
I dropped my Apple Watch at the gym, I removed it to take a shower and it fell to the hard tile floor after opened my locker... this caused the screen to pop off, it's also got a crack on the lower left corner.

The LCD is now completely hanging off, I've tried getting it to pop back into place and maybe living with the crack for a bit but it doesn't seem to want to go back in.

I contacted Apple, it's out of warranty but gave it a go anyway, they said it would cost around £500 (at the most) to fix - they would put a hold on the payment on my CC and then bill the actual amount if I agree for the repair... has anyone been in this position, I just can't get my get around £500 or even anywhere near it.

I also contacted my insurance, and it is insured for accidental damage away from home but with excess, they're worried that it would cost a similar amount to the repair and advised it's not worth claiming (they would say that, but they do have a point).

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Is it possible to get this fixed? Are there any 3rd party repair centres in the UK?

I think anywhere near £300 I could probably pay a little extra for an immaculate pre-owned model, and anywhere near £500, it would be worth considering the Series 4.

56349157_371313957047823_5686919716497522688_n.jpg
 

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,643
42,522
I dropped my Apple Watch at the gym, I removed it to take a shower and it fell to the hard tile floor after opened my locker... this caused the screen to pop off, it's also got a crack on the lower left corner.

I think the cost would be to Substantially higher versus what the watch is actually worth itself. You have to factor the value of the Apple Watch at the time of the repair.

The LCD is now completely hanging off, I've tried getting it to pop back into place and maybe living with the crack for a bit but it doesn't seem to want to go back in.

I realize I’m nitpicking, but it’s actually an OLED panel, not LCD.

Is it possible to get this fixed? Are there any 3rd party repair centres in the UK?

The only way for Apple to probably repair it, would be replacing the whole display.

Also, on a sidenote, beware of third-party repair stores, because their parts are not OEM and they will not be as high-quality as Apples. [Apple also doesn’t distribute any OEM parts to third-party retailers.]

However, if you’re looking to save money and you don’t want to re-purchase another Apple Watch, then third-party repair would be cheaper compared Apples repair prices.
 
Last edited:

mpainesyd

macrumors 6502a
Nov 29, 2008
683
166
Sydney, Australia
My S3 screen cracked when it dropped onto a tiled floor. I visited the Apple Store in Australia yesterday and was quoted about AU$400 for a replacement screen. The Genius person pointed out that it would be better value buying a new S3 with Applecare for about AU$600 (cellular) as the Applecare gives me 2 accidental breakages over 2 years.
As I had nothing to lose I decided to try fixing it myself using windscreen/windshield crack repair glue and epoxy for the missing chunk. To my surprise the watch survived the process and worked. Even better it has also survived several swims today.
Of course the repaired watch is not as pretty as a new one but it still does every thing that I bought an AW for.
 

Monkswhiskers

macrumors 6502a
Feb 6, 2018
794
630
The exact same thing happened to me but it seemed undamaged until I saw it under direct sunlight and the glue seemed to be coming away from the screen underneath. I contacted Apple and sent a photo and they diagnosed it as a swollen battery so replaced, I got lucky! I always tuck it in my shoe now when it is in the locker. P.S I am considering selling mine and moving to Garmin due to me being very serious about sports, it is immaculate but the space black model, had it since end of Jan.
 

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,643
42,522
My S3 screen cracked when it dropped onto a tiled floor. I visited the Apple Store in Australia yesterday and was quoted about AU$400 for a replacement screen. The Genius person pointed out that it would be better value buying a new S3 with Applecare for about AU$600 (cellular) as the Applecare gives me 2 accidental breakages over 2 years.
As I had nothing to lose I decided to try fixing it myself using windscreen/windshield crack repair glue and epoxy for the missing chunk. To my surprise the watch survived the process and worked. Even better it has also survived several swims today.
Of course the repaired watch is not as pretty as a new one but it still does every thing that I bought an AW for.

It’s probably a very limited time that your watch will survive, especially with a cracked display when you're swimming with the watch, water will likely penetrate the OLED panel, and OLED is very sensitive to water just as an FYI.
 

Brookzy

macrumors 601
May 30, 2010
4,970
5,564
UK
I note that the screen has come apart from the bezel, rather than the whole screen falling off.

Take it to a Genius Bar if you can. I have experienced the same. They replaced it for free because they determined it was a manufacturing defect in the adhesive, relating to how the bezel and screen were now two components to facilitate the antenna, compared to the previous version which was a single piece.

More info: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-screen-issue.2104804/#post-25845978
 
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