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Brad Smith

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 13, 2003
272
76
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Just received delivery of a Titanium Apple Watch Series 7. When attaching the included band, as well as multiple other sport bands I have, I get a lot of wobble/“play” in the band attachment to the watch. This is something I haven’t experienced on other watches, including my other Series 7. Has anyone dealt with this? Should I return the whole thing to the apple store and play the waiting game again?


 
I've done a little more testing, and it appears that it was just the two bands I tried... Others are far more secure. What are the odds that Apple would replace just the band? (One of the ones that the problem is occurring with is the included grey band that comes with the Titanium editions.) I really don't want to deal with returning/exchanging the whole thing.
 
I've done a little more testing, and it appears that it was just the two bands I tried... Others are far more secure. What are the odds that Apple would replace just the band? (One of the ones that the problem is occurring with is the included grey band that comes with the Titanium editions.) I really don't want to deal with returning/exchanging the whole thing.
Call them
 
The same type of post was shared with the ceramic models. Having had the series 3 and 5 ceramic some bands fits great and others well not so much. All my bands with a metal connection are, by far, more snug than any sport loop band.
 
Sadly they won’t send a replacement band. They insist that I have to mail them the entire watch and wait until they have stock to get a replacement.

That’s absurd. I’d ask to speak to a supervisor or go to an apple store and speak to a manager. You should absolutely not have to return the whole Watch because of a defective band.
 
I've done a little more testing, and it appears that it was just the two bands I tried... Others are far more secure. What are the odds that Apple would replace just the band? (One of the ones that the problem is occurring with is the included grey band that comes with the Titanium editions.) I really don't want to deal with returning/exchanging the whole thing.

Earlier this year I finally tried the included dark gray sport band from my S6 SBTi and had an issue where it wouldn't click in place on either side of the watch - all other bands worked fine.

Chat support told me I needed to call in - phone support was friendly but struggled to identify the correct band, suggested I go to a store in person.

At the store I demonstrated the issue and that it was specific to the one half of the one sport band. They were able to order a band for me, which I then picked up a few days later. While I did need to turn in the defective strap when picking up the new one, I did not need to exchange the watch. YMMV though.

See https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...k-into-slot-experiences-with-support.2307204/
 
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Earlier this year I finally tried the included dark gray sport band from my S6 SBTi and had an issue where it wouldn't click in place on either side of the watch - all other bands worked fine.

Chat support told me I needed to call in - phone support was friendly but struggled to identify the correct band, suggested I go to a store in person.

At the store I demonstrated the issue and that it was specific to the one half of the one sport band. They were able to order a band for me, which I then picked up a few days later. While I did need to turn in the defective strap when picking up the new one, I did not need to exchange the watch. YMMV though.

See https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...k-into-slot-experiences-with-support.2307204/
Thank you so much! That was helpful. My experience at the store mirrored yours. They ordered a replacement for the included grey band that I can pickup at the store when they receive it. They also replaced my out-of-return-window Starlight Sport Band that had a similar problem with a brand new one on the spot.

After multiple bad experiences with phone and chat support, the store was really helpful! I hope that the band they replace it with is the same color. We'll see what shows up!
 
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Got the replacement today. Looks to be the same color, but is “older”. It says 40mm on the underside instead of 41mm on the one that originally came with the Watch. Probably don’t have separate inventory of the new “size” band for replacement.
 
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I have this same problem with my titanium Series 7 with the included band. Only the top band wiggles, just like the OP. It moves enough to be concerning on mine.

My band also says 41mm, so I wonder if the included bands with the titanium edition this year have a defect on the top portion. My sport loop works fine.

I'm disappointed because I helped justify the crazy cost of this model because it came with an extra band, so I wouldn't buy more. I guess I'll debate on whether to send it back as I don't have an Apple store near me. It's a shame they can't replace only the band. I love this watch and it's only been 24 hours :)
 
I noticed this when I got my S7 SS, but it was just the top portion of the Abyss Blue band that did this. Went to the Apple Store and had the band swapped out but it was still pretty loose. All my other bands are fine. Maybe a bad batch of Sport Bands with poor connector specifications.
 
I have this on the included light gray sport band, with my AW7 nTi. Every other band is fine, but the shorter side of the sport band (the side with the single, large slot) will slide all the way through the watch connector slot without engaging. If you stop in the middle and move it back and forth a little, it will engage. ?
 
I ordered two different titanium apple watches with different bands. The first one had this issue so I checked the second band and it fit right. So there’s definitely variances and if it’s loose, request a replacement.
 
I ordered two different titanium apple watches with different bands. The first one had this issue so I checked the second band and it fit right. So there’s definitely variances and if it’s loose, request a replacement.
So, this a sport band issue? Are other bands affected? No need to return the watch, just swap the bands until a correct one is found?

My Ti is being delivered today and don’t want to pair it to my phone and get it set up if it will need to be returned …
 
I called Apple this morning and like others experienced above, I couldn't exchange the defective sports band that came in the watch box (dark gray band with the SBTI). They said I have to send it all back. It sounds like others have some luck if you have an Apple store nearby, but that's not the case for me. I talked to two reps on the phone for what it's worth.
 
I called Apple this morning and like others experienced above, I couldn't exchange the defective sports band that came in the watch box (dark gray band with the SBTI). They said I have to send it all back. It sounds like others have some luck if you have an Apple store nearby, but that's not the case for me. I talked to two reps on the phone for what it's worth.

That’s unacceptable, especially for edition models. What a dumb way to tarnish the experience. It should be easy for them to exchange just the band. That’s the same mistake the initially made with the solo loop bands. I guess fewer people buy editions, so they don’t mind irritating a smaller number of people??
 
You can add me to the list. Mine have an issue as well. It wiggle quite a bit and sometime doesn't latch properly.

Same natural Ti as OP
 
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