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Screen popped off!

Mescagnus said:
Great to find this thread (even though the issue is not great)!

I just posted my battery swelling incident here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-–-battery-swelling-inside.2040611/
Click to expand...
Seems I'm not the only one!
I hope you get more luck with Apple, I gave up the battle and resorted in repairing it myself.
Here's a photo of the size difference between my expanded battery and the new battery.
Very clear to see why the screen did come off.
IMG_6980.JPG

[doublepost=1491499636][/doublepost]
willmtaylor said:
You've stated that Apple quoted you a charge, but this is obviously a manufacturing defect. Apple has been known to replace out of warranty phones and the like that have suffered from swollen batteries. Have you actually tried taking it into an Apple Retail Store?
Click to expand...
My nearest apple retail store is a good distance from me and after not having success with numerous contacts with apple support, I felt it would probably result in a wasted journey.
I did send my photos of the battery defect to apple support but probably saw it as I had removed the screen and tampered with it instead of taking my word for it that I found it popped off. I just got quoted the £206 service fee everytime and from what I've learnt for a series 0 original watch is ridiculous.
I've resulted in repairing the watch myself.
 
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Rosepod5 said:
Seems I'm not the only one!
I hope you get more luck with Apple, I gave up the battle and resorted in repairing it myself.
Here's a photo of the size difference between my expanded battery and the new battery.
Very clear to see why the screen did come off.
View attachment 695153
[doublepost=1491499636][/doublepost]
My nearest apple retail store is a good distance from me and after not having success with numerous contacts with apple support, I felt it would probably result in a wasted journey.
I did send my photos of the battery defect to apple support but probably saw it as I had removed the screen and tampered with it instead of taking my word for it that I found it popped off. I just got quoted the £206 service fee everytime and from what I've learnt for a series 0 original watch is ridiculous.
I've resulted in repairing the watch myself.
Click to expand...
Best of luck.
 
Rosepod5 said:
Seems I'm not the only one!
I hope you get more luck with Apple, I gave up the battle and resorted in repairing it myself.
Click to expand...

Thanks, let's see how Apple and my local repair center respond.

It'll be interesting to see if more of these cases with the original Apple Watch surface.

I should note that I've used only Apple chargers to charge the watch. Also, I haven't tampered with my watch, I'm simply keeping my eye on how the defect will progress. I'm keeping it now in a metallic box, in case it combusts :eek:

I'll gladly send my watch to Apple for inspection, if they want to have a closer look at the issue.

[EDIT] Safety: swelling watch in a box! Probably overkill, but better safe than sorry... Now if only I had a webcam to document the process (whatever happens) in real time... :D

IMG_3466.JPG
 
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Mescagnus said:
Thanks, let's see how Apple and my local repair center respond.

It'll be interesting to see if more of these cases with the original Apple Watch surface.

I should note that I've used only Apple chargers to charge the watch. Also, I haven't tampered with my watch, I'm simply keeping my eye on how the defect will progress. I'm keeping it now in a metallic box, in case it combusts :eek:

I'll gladly send my watch to Apple for inspection, if they want to have a closer look at the issue.

[EDIT] Safety: swelling watch in a box! Probably overkill, but better safe than sorry... Now if only I had a webcam to document the process (whatever happens) in real time... :D

View attachment 695155
Click to expand...

I think it really varies on how these situations occur. There are so many variables with the battery and being healthy. I think there is no definitive answer. Let us know what Apple decides to do.
 
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Mescagnus said:
Thanks, let's see how Apple and my local repair center respond.

It'll be interesting to see if more of these cases with the original Apple Watch surface.

I should note that I've used only Apple chargers to charge the watch. Also, I haven't tampered with my watch, I'm simply keeping my eye on how the defect will progress. I'm keeping it now in a metallic box, in case it combusts :eek:

I'll gladly send my watch to Apple for inspection, if they want to have a closer look at the issue.

[EDIT] Safety: swelling watch in a box! Probably overkill, but better safe than sorry... Now if only I had a webcam to document the process (whatever happens) in real time... :D

View attachment 695155
Click to expand...
I too had only ever used the genuine apple charger and also immaculate with no damage.
I never tampered with my watch until now
Apple wouldn't even allow me to send mine off without paying the £206 service fee. Regardless if they admit their defect, they expected the payment upfront and then obviously refund it if they agree their issue.
A price I was not willing to pay.
My battery was bursting pretty bad which had completely lifted the screen off my watch.
Be sure to let us know how you get on!
 
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Julien said:
Here you go people, Battery University knows just about all there is to know about batteries.

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/archive/pouch_cell_small_but_not_trouble_free
Click to expand...

Interesting reading.

This, I guess, applies here: "Gas buildup on subsequent charges is minimal; nevertheless, when designing the battery compartment for pouch cells, provision must be made to allow for some expansion."

I have no idea how tightly packed the insides of an Apple Watch are, but in any case, the battery in my watch has become bloated beyond the tolerance of the enclosure.

Too bad the watch cannot pass gas :D
"Did I hear your Apple Watch just fart?" :p

(Humor helps!)

It's kind of interesting to monitor how bloated the battery will get.
 
The response from the local Authorised Apple Service Provider was to bring the watch in, and by their initial estimate of the problem, Apple will repair the watch free of charge.

They have been given the same information of the fault that I posted here in my thread.

I will take the watch to the service provider on Monday.

By all accounts, it appears that Apple is handling the situation in the customer's best interest, which is what I've always trusted Apple to do.
 
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Mescagnus said:
The response from the local Authorised Apple Service Provider was to bring the watch in, and by their initial estimate of the problem, Apple will repair the watch free of charge.

They have been given the same information of the fault that I posted here in my thread.

I will take the watch to the service provider on Monday.

By all accounts, it appears that Apple is handling the situation in the customer's best interest, which is what I've always trusted Apple to do.
Click to expand...
Glad you have hopefully resolved it.
I paid £9 for a new battery which has been very successful (currently wearing the watch now).
Would have cost me more than that on petrol to travel to and from me nearest Apple Retailer which was my reasoning in repairing it myself.
I would just like to note prior to this I have owned an iPhone from the very beginning and any issues I have had during warranty, Apple have reacted amazingly.
My partner also an iPhone user will also praise Apple for their service.
My issue has not deterred me away from Apple, just a shame it happened and expected the battery to last longer than it did.
Just one of them things.
 
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Mescagnus said:
The response from the local Authorised Apple Service Provider was to bring the watch in, and by their initial estimate of the problem, Apple will repair the watch free of charge.

They have been given the same information of the fault that I posted here in my thread.

I will take the watch to the service provider on Monday.

By all accounts, it appears that Apple is handling the situation in the customer's best interest, which is what I've always trusted Apple to do.
Click to expand...

Excellent. And Apple is standing behind their product. Sometimes they don't repair it and might replace it with a warranty replacement. Either way, you're covered.
 
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Some credit card companies double the manufacturers warranty of products bought with their card, so that may be another option to get it fixed.
 
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cobracnvt said:
Some credit card companies double the manufacturers warranty of products bought with their card, so that may be another option to get it fixed.
Click to expand...

This is true. All the terms and conditions are more stringent and are not applicable in every situation with credit cards. I always invite somebody to check with their credit card company first before they invest and and have an understanding of what is covered.
 
I bought my Apple Watch SS May 2015. Screen detached March 2016, replaced under warranty. Screen detached on warranty replacement Oct 2016, replaced under AppleCare for free. Screen detached on that warranty replacement Apr 2017, also replaced under AppleCare for free (got it yesterday). I treat the watch carefully, haven't banged it on anything. Warranty replacement was in store and sent away to get fixed. AppleCare replacements were by phone and they took a cc and sent me a new one and I sent the old one back in the box the new one came in. My Applecare is over May 2017 so am a bit worried.

Something is wrong here with this watch design. I am waiting for the S3 watches this fall, hope my latest watch lasts that long. Didn't notice any battery swelling on any of my watches. Screen fit back in place easily, the glue just wasn't sticking any more. Off warranty, if Apple refuses a free repair, I guess I'll have to try re-glueing it myself. Watch continued to work with the screen detached in all cases, I used transparent tape to hold screen in place waiting for replacements. Still very annoying.

Edit to add: My latest replacement has intermittently non-functional side buttons. Another AppleCare replacement on the way.
 
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I have the same issue with my apple watch. Bought it 15 months ago and the screen popped up. Looks like the battery is swelling up. Called apple and they said it would be $200 to fix it even though its a manufacturing defect.
 
For the people in the thread with the bulging batteries, did you leave your watch on the charger for a long period of time after the watch reached 100% charged? I'm wondering if the Apple charger is over charging these watches and causing the problem.
 
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cobracnvt said:
For the people in the thread with the bulging batteries, did you leave your watch on the charger for a long period of time after the watch reached 100% charged? I'm wondering if the Apple charger is over charging these watches and causing the problem.
Click to expand...
I already posted what the problem is. Just look up to post #31. Link: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/screen-popped-off.2039870/page-2#post-24472845

Problem: http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/archive/pouch_cell_small_but_not_trouble_free
 
cobracnvt said:
For the people in the thread with the bulging batteries, did you leave your watch on the charger for a long period of time after the watch reached 100% charged? I'm wondering if the Apple charger is over charging these watches and causing the problem.
Click to expand...

From my understanding, the Apple Watch charger cannot over Charge and uses trickle charging similar to the iPad and iPhone when nearing 100%. Also, the Apple Watch charger uses circuitry to prevent any over charging, which can be charged for longer durations when not in use or next to the bedside for Night stand Mode, etc.
 
Julien said:
I already posted what the problem is. Just look up to post #31. Link: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/screen-popped-off.2039870/page-2#post-24472845

Problem: http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/archive/pouch_cell_small_but_not_trouble_free
Click to expand...
Yes, I saw your earlier post.

I was just curious to see if the people that have experienced the issue usually left their watch on the charger. Overcharging can cause the batteries to expand. I assume Apple has circuitry to protect from over charging.
 
cobracnvt said:
Yes, I saw your earlier post.

I was just curious to see if the people that have experienced the issue usually left their watch on the charger. Overcharging can cause the batteries to expand. I assume Apple has circuitry to protect from over charging.
Click to expand...
ALL lit-ion batteries MUST have charging protection. Lit-ion batters are NOT like a solid gas can. They are more like a ballon. If you keep adding energy they will take it until they explode. Also it is misnomer to call the cord a charger. ALL lit-ion chargers are and must built into the device next to the battery. If the charger is defective it can overcharge. This is a rare occurrence with quality chargers (and Apple uses quality chargers). So that is NOT the problem here. It is simply the pouch lit-ion battery design.
 
cobracnvt said:
Yes, I saw your earlier post.

I was just curious to see if the people that have experienced the issue usually left their watch on the charger. Overcharging can cause the batteries to expand. I assume Apple has circuitry to protect from over charging.
Click to expand...

I just answered your response to this exact answer in Post #42.
 
cobracnvt said:
For the people in the thread with the bulging batteries, did you leave your watch on the charger for a long period of time after the watch reached 100% charged? I'm wondering if the Apple charger is over charging these watches and causing the problem.
Click to expand...

My use case has been to charge the watch overnight and then use it all day. Battery has usually about 40-50% of charge left at the end of the day.

My watch is currently at Apple service. I have not been informed of any changes to their initial response, which was that the fault will be serviced free of charge. I was very explicit that if any charges should incure, I want be notified about it beforehand.

I can get a brand new original series 42mm SS Apple Watch, with a new watch band, for 379.00 from an Apple reseller. It would come with full warranty, so paying ~200.00 for the repair is not an option I am willing to take.

I should have the serviced watch back next week – Easter is causing the process to take a couple of extra days.
 
In conclusion to the issue with my Apple Watch, I received the replacement watch today – with 3 months of new, extra warranty. Restoring the new watch from backup now.

Very smooth operation with Apple Service. I'm happy to have the watch on my wrist again!

I hope this encourages other people, who might encounter the same issue.
 
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