Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Screen problem with first generation apple watch sport
- Thread starter dgnr8
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It almost looks like the OLED display is fading or burning out. Is it difficult to read the display with the brightness turned up? Have you used The Watch around water?
THe problem is almost unnoticeable unless I'm in the calendar app with the white background.
No swimming or showering, but I wash my hands and have been in the rain. It's never been soaked or covered in water.
Yes, I probably have the same sort of screen damage... I've been dealing with Apple Support today, but they don't have anything to offer me except a $250 repair quote. Out of warranty, no water damage. It's been going on for a while, but I didn't really realize how bad it was until I loaded up an all-white image and viewed it in the photo app. I've attached a photo with that white JPG loaded to show the dark areas on the screen.
Strange. It must be some type of failure with the OLED display, almost as if it's slowly fading or growing darker. I would just replace it and not invest in repairing it.
I just uploaded a white image and mine is not as bad as yours. I went to the Apple Store and they didn't know what caused it.
They guessed water or too much pressure. Neither is the case.
I'm pissed that the watch has only lasted 1.4 years.
It's interesting that you have the ss and I have the sport and we have the same issue.
They guessed water or too much pressure. Neither is the case.
I'm pissed that the watch has only lasted 1.4 years.
It's interesting that you have the ss and I have the sport and we have the same issue.
That's what I'm wondering. I just asked in the popped off thread if they noticed changes in their screen before it popped off.
The problem is that the screen hasn't popped off so Apple won't fix it for free at this point.
[doublepost=1503521866][/doublepost]I honestly don't know, I assume they mean I press the screen too hard.
The problem is that the screen hasn't popped off so Apple won't fix it for free at this point.
[doublepost=1503521866][/doublepost]I honestly don't know, I assume they mean I press the screen too hard.
You could escalate your case to see what is causing the display to fail by sending in your Watch. But pressing to hard on the display seems unlikely, as the Apple has "Force Touch", so it naturally requires pressure to use various functions.
I changed my face to one with a photo and after a day that image is now burned into the white portion of the calendar. This is strange. Any luck with Apple?
I have screen burn in from the numerals on the watch face as well as a dead pixel on the right side of the screen - I know it's not the same problem, but does make me realise these aren't watches to keep for many years...
Most pieces of tech are replaced annually as it is or most upgrade well beyond before the lifespan of the Watch would last. But this is the first I have heard with someone experiencing burn in on their Apple Watch. Traditionally, to help with burn in or image retention, pixels dynamically shift the information accordingly from being stagnant.
I've used the Utility face every day since launch - so that's about 2.5 years of the same numerals being shown on and off hundreds of times a day. It's not obvious, but if you bring up the new flashlight in watchOS 4, you can see a faint ring of numbers in a circle.
Not a massive deal breaker, but just something that I thought was interesting. Will probably get a new watch this or next year, the battery on this is pretty shot too.
Apple replaced my series 0 for a series 1 for free. Called in, about 45 minutes on the phone. They received it through ups on September 29th and shipped a replacement the same day.
I was 9 months out of warranty, but they agreed it was still unacceptable.
I was 9 months out of warranty, but they agreed it was still unacceptable.
[doublepost=1510416209][/doublepost]I have the same problem, 4 months out of warranty+Applecare. Like most others here all Apple would do is charge $200 for a repair (or replace if not repairable) or have me buy a new watch with no trade-in or discount. I am not prepared to spend $400 on a watch every couple of years, so think it is goodbye Apple Watch. I have many Apple products and this is the first time they have not stood behind the product when there is an issue. Very disappointed.
OK, Apple came through - I called support and explained the situation. Since the screen had started to dim before the AppleCare ran out, but it did not get bad enough for me to take it to the Apple store for a few months, they agreed to cover the repair under the AppleCare coverage. I think this is fair - thank you Apple.
Took the failing Series 0 watch to the store Saturday, received a new Series 1 watch on Tuesday. Many thanks Apple.
Did you happen to have Apple Care? My wife's 38 MM SS has the same discoloration and I was getting ready to set up an appointment with the Genius Bar but if they just want me to pay $250 for a repair I'd probably be better off buying her a replacement of a newer generation. Problem with that is it would have to be aluminum instead of silver since I can't justify having to update a watch as much as a phone.
Based on responses here it doesn't appear there is a lot of love for the 1st generation 0 when it comes to defects like this outside of Apple warranty.
I had Apple Care for the second year of ownership, but this was beyond that, although I did tell the telephone support person that I had noticed the screen deterioration earlier but had not thought it serious enough to complain at the time. Then it got so much worse that I could not read the watch outdoors. Note that the genius bar was no help, but the phone support was.