Is This Due to “Bulging Battery”?

[perezr10]

I still have an old Series 0 Apple Watch laying around the house which I was going to hand down to my 14 year old son. So I pulled it out of a drawer to set it up when I noticed that the screen popped loose on one side. I figured it was ready for the trash heap since it’s really not worth $249 which is what Apple charges to repair.

However, I vaguely remembered something about Apple extending to 3 years the warranty repairs on bulging batteries. When I searched this forum to find out more info, I was inundated with threads about unhappy watch owners reporting that Apple denied their screen replacement saying that it was normal wear.

Which leads me to my question. Without sending my watch back to Apple is there any way to tell if my screen popped loose due to a swelling battery? The watch still seems to work good and even has great battery life.

Was there also an adhesive issue with these watches that wasn’t covered?

 

[QquegChristian]

I know the back fell off of my SS series0 a few months ago but I was working outside at night around mosquitoes and had been covering my arms in different repellants. I think some kind of citrus oil all-natural repellent ate through the adhesive on the watch. It also melted the $150 Apple leather band to my skin.

I just superglued the back back onto the watch.

 

[user1234]

Can’t you look into the crack and see if something has pushed it out?

 

[Shark5150]

Yep. My series 0 did the same. Apple gladly replaced with a series 1. No questions asked. Just happened a few months ago.

 

[Newtons Apple]

If the battery is rounded like a “pillow” chances are the battery swelled and popped your screen out.

 

[perezr10]

Can’t you look into the crack and see if something has pushed it out?

Well, I called Apple and they are sending me a box to ship them the watch. They will do a diagnosis to see what the problem is. I was afraid if I pulled the screen off any further, that they’d say it was user-caused damage.

What has me worried is that the customer service rep on the phone had no idea what I was talking about when I mentioned that Apple had extended the warranty for bulging batteries. He kept repeating that my watch was out of the 1-year warranty and the Apple Watch technicians would give me a quote for repair. I’m hoping that at least the techs will be aware that if it’s due to swelling battery that they’ll offer a free repair or replacement.
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If the battery is rounded like a “pillow” chances are the battery swelled and popped your screen out.

Thanks, I may just pry the screen back and shine a flashlight in there.

 

[44267547]

If the battery looks like it’s swollen or puffy with the battery pouch at all, then that indeed is a defective battery. You would still be covered under the three year warranty with a replacement watch. (Likely a Series 1 or 2).

 

[Xarthan]

If they do replace it, it would be a series 2 if they don't have any series 0 left (series 1 didn't have a stainless steel models and I don't think apple would replace SS with Aluminum)

 

[Newtons Apple]

Well, I called Apple and they are sending me a box to ship them the watch. They will do a diagnosis to see what the problem is. I was afraid if I pulled the screen off any further, that they’d say it was user-caused damage.

What has me worried is that the customer service rep on the phone had no idea what I was talking about when I mentioned that Apple had extended the warranty for bulging batteries. He kept repeating that my watch was out of the 1-year warranty and the Apple Watch technicians would give me a quote for repair. I’m hoping that at least the techs will be aware that if it’s due to swelling battery that they’ll offer a free repair or replacement.
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Thanks, I may just pry the screen back and shine a flashlight in there.

If you can you need to take a picture of the battery.

 

[perezr10]

Yup, the battery looks like a plump little pillow.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Yup, the battery looks like a plump little pillow.

I would take an image and print a copy to include with the watch so Apple knows you saw an expanded battery

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Yep. My series 0 did the same. Apple gladly replaced with a series 1. No questions asked. Just happened a few months ago.

Gee, they shipped mine off and I got a 0 back... that was updated to iOS 11 and I was at 10 at the time due to 2 apps. I handed it to my daughter while I tried to find app replacements. Then my phone got replaced due to a screwup during a battery replacement, and it was on iOS 11 and so I was just screwed... and took the watch back! Lol

 

[ZipZap]

I am shocked they would ship a watch with a potential battery issue like this...

 

[user1234]

I am shocked they would ship a watch with a potential battery issue like this...

Lithium batteries can be tricky to get right. They need to be manufactured just right, and they need to be managed just right. Remember the Samsung Galaxy Note 7? Or the big Sony battery recall 10 or so years ago after laptops caught fire? The important thing is how it’s handled when it happens.

This is why I never charge unattanded (that includes at night while asleep).