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Series 3 stainless screen popped off

lordofthereef

lordofthereef

macrumors G5
Original poster
Nov 29, 2011
13,161
3,721
Boston, MA
I am trying to see what my options are. My wife's 38mm stainless series 3 screen popped off a few days ago. Nothing is cracked, you wouldn't know anything is wrong at all if not for the screen bouncing up and down. Obviously it is out of commission for now.

Apparently there's a recall for this issue, however it's applicable to the aluminum bodies only. Apple wants $400... fair or not, with how these things depreciate, I feel like if that's my only option, we are better off selling for parts.

We found an open box stainless 44mm series 5 at Best Buy for $240. So we went and picked that up, however she feels that it's too big on her wrist, though she's giving it a week. Worst case, I'll upgrade my stainless series 3 to that one since I felt the value was beyond excellent.

Anyway, do we have any options here? I know there are kiosks in malls (or used to be LOL I don't know that I've been to a mall for about a year now) that will fix stuff. Would they just reapply glue? Would they want to put a whole new screen on? She's not super worried about the water-proofing, but it obviously needs some form of seal in there as the only thing holding the screen to the body are the cables BD0A11A1-9DE5-4652-9171-3BAE0F817442.jpeg.
 
Are you sure that's not battery swelling causing the issue. If so you will never be able to fix it properly without replacing it. But I think your second option of keeping the new watch for yourself and handing off your watch to be a great idea.
 
If you’re handy, get a battery from ifixit along with a new screen adhesive seal and replace it yourself.. There are videos on YouTube that show the process
 
firedept said:
Are you sure that's not battery swelling causing the issue. If so you will never be able to fix it properly without replacing it. But I think your second option of keeping the new watch for yourself and handing off your watch to be a great idea.
Click to expand...
I don't really know for sure. I can say that the screen sits flush without much effort. The tension on the cables looks to be what holds it up.
 
BugeyeSTI said:
If you’re handy, get a battery from ifixit along with a new screen adhesive seal and replace it yourself.. There are videos on YouTube that show the process
Click to expand...
I saw those. I guess I was hoping that maybe some repair ships do adhesive only. Seems a shame to replace the screen entirely. Are these typically sapphire glass? That's the selling point of stainless for us. I wouldn't dump $160 into this if I can get a brand. We aluminum for a bit more. But maybe if it's sapphire I'd consider it.
 
lordofthereef said:
I saw those. I guess I was hoping that maybe some repair ships do adhesive only. Seems a shame to replace the screen entirely. Are these typically sapphire glass? That's the selling point of stainless for us. I wouldn't dump $160 into this if I can get a brand. We aluminum for a bit more. But maybe if it's sapphire I'd consider it.
Click to expand...
The screen doesn’t need to be replaced.. The battery has swelled enough to pop the screen off so by replacing the battery and the adhesive that holds the screen on it will be fixed.. You reuse your original screen
www.ifixit.com

Apple Watch (38 mm Series 3 Cellular) Battery

Replace a 279 mAh battery compatible with Apple Watch 38 mm Series 3 Cellular Models A1890, A1860, and A1889. 1.07 Watt Hours (Wh). 3.82 Volts (V). Battery model A1848. Installation adhesive included.
www.ifixit.com www.ifixit.com
 
Last edited:
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BugeyeSTI said:
The screen doesn’t need to be replaced.. The battery has swelled enough to pop the screen off so by replacing the battery and the adhesive that holds the screen on it will be fixed.. You reuse your original screen
www.ifixit.com

Apple Watch (38 mm Series 3 Cellular) Battery

Replace a 279 mAh battery compatible with Apple Watch 38 mm Series 3 Cellular Models A1890, A1860, and A1889. 1.07 Watt Hours (Wh). 3.82 Volts (V). Battery model A1848. Installation adhesive included.
www.ifixit.com www.ifixit.com
Click to expand...
Awesome. Thank you. I might give this a go.
 
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If your battery is swollen, take it to apple! For 3Y from the date of purchase, they should replace it for free! For anything beyond, they charge 79$ for a battery replacement.

I handed in mine for a battery replacement
 
I might try replacing the battery. But I am nervous about invest more money that could go towards a new watch. I really want to stick with Apple but I might downgrade back to a fitbit.
 
ritheshmn said:
If your battery is swollen, take it to apple! For 3Y from the date of purchase, they should replace it for free! For anything beyond, they charge 79$ for a battery replacement.

I handed in mine for a battery replacement
Click to expand...
They won't honor replacing a Series 3. I called Apple Support and they would not replace mines. They said since it was outside the 12 months warranty, I would have to purchase a new one. I also tried making an appointment with a in store specialist and they were no help. It really sucks to pay $400 for a watch to stop working less than 3 years later. my 3 yrs is up 5 days.
 
appletoy said:
They won't honor replacing a Series 3. I called Apple Support and they would not replace mines. They said since it was outside the 12 months warranty, I would have to purchase a new one. I also tried making an appointment with a in store specialist and they were no help. It really sucks to pay $400 for a watch to stop working less than 3 years later. my 3 yrs is up 5 days.
Click to expand...

Did you take the three year Applecare?
 
appletoy said:
They won't honor replacing a Series 3. I called Apple Support and they would not replace mines. They said since it was outside the 12 months warranty, I would have to purchase a new one. I also tried making an appointment with a in store specialist and they were no help. It really sucks to pay $400 for a watch to stop working less than 3 years later. my 3 yrs is up 5 days.
Click to expand...
Purchase a new battery and screen adhesive and fix it yourself. The hard part is removing the screen which is already done. There are many YouTube videos showing the repair, just take your time.. Not sure your watch model # but the kit is cheap and comes with everything necessary.

www.ifixit.com

Apple Watch (42 mm Series 3 GPS) Battery

Replace a 342 mAh battery compatible with the 42 mm GPS model Series 3 Apple Watch Model A1859. 1.31 Watt Hours (Wh). 3.82 Volts (V). Battery model A1875.
www.ifixit.com www.ifixit.com
 
BugeyeSTI said:
Purchase a new battery and screen adhesive and fix it yourself. The hard part is removing the screen which is already done. There are many YouTube videos showing the repair, just take your time.. Not sure your watch model # but the kit is cheap and comes with everything necessary.

www.ifixit.com

Apple Watch (42 mm Series 3 GPS) Battery

Replace a 342 mAh battery compatible with the 42 mm GPS model Series 3 Apple Watch Model A1859. 1.31 Watt Hours (Wh). 3.82 Volts (V). Battery model A1875.
www.ifixit.com www.ifixit.com
Click to expand...
BugeyeSTI said:
Purchase a new battery and screen adhesive and fix it yourself. The hard part is removing the screen which is already done. There are many YouTube videos showing the repair, just take your time.. Not sure your watch model # but the kit is cheap and comes with everything necessary.

www.ifixit.com

Apple Watch (42 mm Series 3 GPS) Battery

Replace a 342 mAh battery compatible with the 42 mm GPS model Series 3 Apple Watch Model A1859. 1.31 Watt Hours (Wh). 3.82 Volts (V). Battery model A1875.
www.ifixit.com www.ifixit.com
Click to expand...

I have a series 3 (GPS+Cellular) 44mm. I’m going do the battery replacement. I don’t want to pay for another watch when this one was working fine until the screen popped off. I’ll also share that I had no issue until I took off the case. The case was old and I was going to replace it. I’ll definitely get a new case before I replace the battery. I’ll try to remember to come back to let this thread know how the battery replacement goes.
 
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Hey! I am sorry to find this post too late.

I bought mi AWS3 Stainless Steel in January 2018 with Apple Care+.

It got broken first time in 2019 during the summer, I went to a swimming pool and the AWS3 became unresponsive after getting into water. It was strange because I swim two-three times per week and it didn't happen before. I got a replacement unit for my first AWS3.

Last winter, I had same problem at my AWS3 SS in January. I took it to Apple and they offered me a "battery replacement" for 89€. The screen popped off of the watch. Problem is that the glass is broken. I mean, it is not suitable to glue the screen because it is not really unglued, it is broken. The glue is ok and a part of the glass is still attached to the watch, but the glass is broken... perfectly squared and it seems that the screen is ok, just unglued, but it is not. You will need a screen+battery replacement. Also if you glue this, the AW won't be waterproof anymore.

The strange thing is that now, less than six months later, my AWS3 is again broken at the screen and it will pop off in several days. I can see a crack around the bottom part of the watch reaching the middle on each side, I suppose it will pop off again in 2-3 days. I went to apple because I thought I will be covered by the "six-month" guarantee they offer on every repair but they told me that in this case the problem is different, so the battery is not swollen. I was surprised because they didn't open the watch or test it or anything... So in reality they didn't know.

Finally they agreed to send the watch to the central repair station to check if the battery is swollen or not, in case it is they will cover and repair it for free, in case it is not, they will call me with the resolution and price they offer to repair the watch.

Long story short, to me, this quality campaign also applies to AW SS models, but Apple didn't published it, maybe because the number of AW sold in SS is fewer than the ones in aluminium, but due to my experience, this is happening on every model, including the Stainless Steel models.

I am also angry because I had to pay 89€ on the last repair and now, again, I don't know if Apple is going to cover when it is clear that the problem is a manufacturing one and also recognized by the company for the aluminium models.

Apple Service Program status - Apple Support

Apple Service Program status
support.apple.com

We will see what happens this time with mine :) I am also a bit disappointed with this AWS3, I had the first model and it lasted more than three years. With AWS3 I bought the SS version because it was supposed to be stronger and, the first one lasted 18 months, the second one another 18 months, and the third one just 5 months. Lets see if I will have a fourth AWS3 ;)

BR!

ISO
 
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