If you look closely at the watches in this video at 0:19, you'll see that some screens are totally flush and others have a ridge. Not good for Apple - having this manufacturing inconsistency.
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Series 4 screen not flush
- Thread starter Vegaspilot
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I’ll have to watch that video. Should be interesting. I’m happy to say that the second one I managed to pick up locally is perfect far as I can see and feel. All sides are smooth and the screen is even light areas. I kinda wish I’d kept the first storm grey sport loop though. I didn’t because I didn’t think I’d find another watch for a month. New one isn’t as good as the first, but oh well. Watch is good. 
Yeah it’s the water seal that bothers me too. I am calling apple as soon as I get to work to arrange a return. I might just have to reorder as it may be over a month before they get a replacement out
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So I just came back from the apple store and yeah they all seem pretty flush to me... I’m going to return mine tomorrow and hopefully pick up another one soon. Rather return it than trying to deal with warranty later or worse water damage that they don’t cover. So hopefully I can get one ASAP!
I think this is a big part of it. You likely would have a hundred more forum members who have this issue with a gap tolerance, but have never noticed until a thread is raised about it. The only real concern I can see is the water resistance, but Who knows how the end result depending on the severity of the gap. I checked over mine last night and I did not notice any inconsistencies with the display sitting Uneven. But nor would I have checked if I had not read this thread either.
Let’s us know but so far this seems “normal”that the bottom has a slip gap... I suspect it’s within tolerance
I’m sure water resistance has to do more with the internal seals than this slight gap
S4 SBSS 44mm (just got a hold of one last night) and I too have a slight but noticible with my fingertip lip/edge on the bottom of the display. Looking at it though, the display seems to be set evenly. Maybe it’s off by micrometers. I can somewhat feel the entire seam between the screen to the casing all around the watch. Like I am able to run my fingernail along the entire seam. Is that normal? This is my first SS AW. Thanks!
Mine is 44mm SBSS
Anyone think I have an issue based on my pics(first is too and second is bottom, third show how sapphire looks at bottom from another angle)...curious.
Again the SS has more of ridge all round vs the AL SG
44mm I have
I am trying to be realistic and not let my “ neurosis” and OCD over the top here.
I have the same thing. See my pic above. I can run my nail along the seam. Slightly more on the bottom.
I will not be swimming or showering in my watch. Unless pushed in spook or caught in a bad rain my water exposure will be minimal.
I clearly can’t be sure but if this slight difference is a water resistance issue I’m sure we would see a thread about AppleCare not covering water exposure they tout for the Watch... showering and swimming.
The question about water resistance comes down to what seal is critical. The screen flush issue here just does not seem logically to be wear the failure would occur but the “internal “(underneath) seam for the glass we can’t visualize
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From what I can see in your pictures, your case is minimal. The real question you should ask yourself, is this something that you can accept or not, if you can’t, then you should contact Apple, send your pictures to them and they will replace it.
If you don’t plan on swimming with your watch and rain likely isn’t that much of an issue that would affect the resistance in your situation, then perhaps you could simply overlook this if it’s possible, given your mindset.
Ok so I called Apple and they said that the screen should be flush on all 4 sides and that no lip should be present and I should have it replaced. Will be sending it back tomorrow. Apple have processed a new order for me which is currently showing as the 25th October. However I expect that to change as they said it will be a priority order
Wow thanks. Very interesting. May I ask who you spoke to, so I can get this done as well.
Was it AppleCare? General support?
Damn. More work now
I checked my S4 Silver SS and it has a slight ridge on the bottom edge that I can feel with a nail and can see if I look under a magnifying class. I checked my S2 which was an AC+ replacement a fortnight ago, and that has a ridge on all 4 sides..... goes to show how much it makes a difference to me.
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But surely rain and swimming affecting a watch certified to be rain and swim proof would trigger an automatic warranty replacement anyway?
Absolutely. Apple should replace the Apple Watch if it has an uneven display. Because it was never intended to be manufactured this way, and It could compromise the water resistance. If it was me, I would just go to an Apple store and have it returned or they can physically see what Is be referred to the display to in store.
That said, think about the many who will never even notice a slight gap variance with the display or will never even visit this thread without even knowing that their display is uneven.
I rang Apple support and spoke to a girl who said that watch should be replaced. She then put me through to returns/replacements and the girl was very apologetic and said that it must be replaced in case I take it in the water as there is no guarantee that its will be waterproof. She then arranged a replacement
Thank you
I just hate this buy return/ replace
Process
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The issue is would AppleCare claim is was misuse/abuse that led to water failure. Not sure how they determine water damage that is misuse. On phone they used to look for a red tab or something in the lightning port
There is no lightning port on a watch.....
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I’ll have to watch that video. Should be interesting. I’m happy to say that the second one I managed to pick up locally is perfect far as I can see and feel. All sides are smooth and the screen is even light areas. I kinda wish I’d kept the first storm grey sport loop though. I didn’t because I didn’t think I’d find another watch for a month. New one isn’t as good as the first, but oh well. Watch is good.
I did some testing last night on my watch and I think some of the lighting issues you describe are in fact down to transparency, the watch face you have selected, and the brightness of the screen. In different combinations I could get my list of apps to show the same grey gradient that you had, and also in different combinations make the grey completely solid with no gradient. So not 100% convinced you had a lighting issue.
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Thanks to the OP, Apple will have at least a "few" unexpected returns. Many people won't notice it at all... unless they check the MR forums 
I'll test my aw as soon as i get one though, hate to pay for something that has flaws from the get go.
I'll test my aw as soon as i get one though, hate to pay for something that has flaws from the get go.
I understand there’s no lightning port on watch. The question is how will they determine if water damage was due to miss use or abuse on watch
Do they call any type of water damage abuse and therefore there would be no coverage.
I doubt I’m going to go ahead and do a return and rebuy over this issue. If I return it it’s because it’s going back and I’m dissatisfied with quality control, if that’s even really an issue in this particular situation
I will say the 44mm SG aluminum version has a much smoother and flush appearance then stainless steel. But I really think this simply the SS cases vs AL(maybe easier to mold curves)
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Your last comment is the key. Which is why I believe this will be a non-issue with Warranty. This is clearly not isolated or even in frequent I think this is a common issue, again if it’s truly an issue.
Given the small sample size here and the number of people noticing it, I suspect it’s within the normal tolerances and issues in their manufacturing process.
May not make it right or appropriate but This does not appear to be isolated or in frequent.
Again the sample size is small but it’s random
Sorry, misread re the lightning port. However even with the phone it's now waterproof, so not sure how that would work.
[doublepost=1537964945][/doublepost]For reference, I've just taken one for the team and run my series 4 under the shower, and it's not had any adverse effect, despite the slight ridge of the screen at the bottom. I did spend at least 60 seconds concentrating the water flow on the bottom edge too.