Separated Screen

[batmanners]

I have a Series 1 aluminum 42mm watch that I got in December 2016. Today I realized my watch wasn't connecting to my phone for the first time. After restarting the watch, I realized the bottom half of the screen is separated from the bezel.

Is this a symptom of the swelling battery issue I'm reading about? Is there a way to tell? The screen is still attached on the top end & still works, so don't want to pull it apart if I don't need to.

About a week ago I banged my watch on the granite kitchen counter. I didn't notice anything then as I was distracted by the scratch it left (screen didn't break thank God), but I didn't have any performance issues until today. The watch has felt hot sometimes after charging for the past few months. Could I still get it replaced under the extended warrantee or is it nearing time to give up my old reliable?

 

[SRASC]

I’m going to go with likely it’s a swelling battery. I had a Series 0 with the same issue.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

The bang on the kitchen counter may be unrelated. Based on the age of the watch and the display separation, it likely is battery swelling. Don't pull it apart - you might do damage that would then leave you responsible for the repair.

If the battery swelling continues the display may separate completely from the watch - then you'd be able to see the battery and judge whether it looks like it's puffed a bit (like a pillow). However, why wait? You can't use the watch in its current condition. Contact Apple and see what they have to say.

If there's no evidence of accidental damage (cracked/damaged display, dents in the metal near the display) then it's likely you'll be able to get it repaired for the cost of a battery replacement.

 

[44267547]

I have a Series 1 aluminum 42mm watch that I got in December 2016. Today I realized my watch wasn't connecting to my phone for the first time. After restarting the watch, I realized the bottom half of the screen is separated from the bezel.

Is this a symptom of the swelling battery issue I'm reading about? Is there a way to tell? The screen is still attached on the top end & still works, so don't want to pull it apart if I don't need to.

About a week ago I banged my watch on the granite kitchen counter. I didn't notice anything then as I was distracted by the scratch it left (screen didn't break thank God), but I didn't have any performance issues until today. The watch has felt hot sometimes after charging for the past few months. Could I still get it replaced under the extended warrantee or is it nearing time to give up my old reliable?

View attachment 944014

There is a plethora of empirical research indicating the Series one had plenty of issues of swollen battery’s. Given that your watch is almost 4 years old, there’s no doubt that’s exactly what’s going on here. At this point, I wouldn’t even attempt to have Apple repair/diagnose the issue and I would just move on to upgraded model. You’re wasting your time otherwise.

 

[Ferc Kast]

My series 1 screen entirely separated a month ago, seemingly out of the blue, after 3 years of use. When I looked up the potential repair cost, I ended up upgrading to the series 5 instead, which I gotta say is night and day difference on app load time.

 

[mikedop]

I've gotta go with the crowd on this one:

Definitely a swollen battery. Not worth fixing due to cost & age. Get a used Series 4/5 for a couple hundred bucks on eBay.

 

[01silver4]

/

 

[01silver4]

My series 2 SS that I gave to my daughter battery had swollen and separated from the body! I was told that this problem was addressed for series 4 and later model! this the second time that I have been burned buying SS Apple Watch as the apple care runs out the watches dies!! lol Don’t think one should buy apple watches with the hopes of them lasting a long time!! after applecare expires watch at least for me expires! .