Some Apple Watch Series 2 Repairs May Qualify for Series 3 Replacement Until Further Notice

[MacRumors]

Until further notice, repairs of 38mm aluminum Apple Watch Series 2 models will be fulfilled with equivalent Series 3 models due to a temporary shortage of unspecified parts, according to an internal document shared with Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers today.

The internal document, obtained by MacRumors, reminds technicians that Series 3 models require an iPhone compatible with watchOS 4 or later. Apple instructs technicians to notify iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c customers of their option to upgrade their iPhone to resolve this incompatibility.

If a customer is unable to accept the substitute Series 3 model, Apple says they can contact Apple support to request a refund.

Apple has offered similar Apple Watch repair substitutions in the past due to parts shortages, providing some lucky customers with an upgrade to a newer generation of the device at a fraction of the brand new price, but we obviously do not recommend abusing this temporary good-will policy.

To initiate a repair, head to the Get Support page on Apple's website and book an appointment with an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. We cannot guarantee that all locations will acknowledge existence of this internal policy, especially given it has no firm end date, so your mileage may vary.

Article Link: Some Apple Watch Series 2 Repairs May Qualify for Series 3 Replacement Until Further Notice

 

[technole]

Apple has made radical changes from S2 to S3 and even to S4 that it kind of makes sense over time as they run out of parts supply that it’s best to move on.

They did it with S0, just replacing those with S1. Also a radical upgrade.

 

[Unity451]

[*Me with my fully-functioning Series 2 Apple Watch with Apple Care*]

 

[benshive]

I want my S4 watch replaced with an S0

 

[magicschoolbus]

Time to smash your watches

Kidding aside this is a pretty significant upgrade.

 

[IRockThat828pScreen]

I want my S4 watch replaced with an S0

Care to explain why?

 

[benshive]

Care to explain why?

0 is a cooler number than 4

 

[Baerok]

Apple has made radical changes from S2 to S3 and even to S4 that it kind of makes sense over time as they run out of parts supply that it’s best to move on.

They did it with S0, just replacing those with S1. Also a radical upgrade.

That’s true, but let’s don’t forget that Apple switched to much less durable composite back in Series 3 from ceramic one in Series 2 (just in an aluminum variant). That counts as a downgrade.

 

[pdaholic]

Do you guys really feel the series 2 is a significant upgrade over the 3? I have a series 2 and have been debating getting a series 4 (versus waiting for the 5). I’ve got $36 that I can apply to a purchase at B&H photo that I have to use by July.

Wondering if the newer models are faster/better at simple things like dictating a reply to a text, making a reminder, even switching songs.

 

[ersan191]

I really don’t think this stuff like this should be posted, you’ll get people intentionally breaking their watches.

 

[infiniteentropy]

How does this square with Tim Cook's reputation as a master of supply chains? This would seem to be a major point against said reputation.

 

[pdaholic]

Just got that email from B&H photo regarding their new policy for taxes...that was motivation to purchase it now! Series 4 here on Friday.

 

[nicho]

How does this square with Tim Cook's reputation as a master of supply chains? This would seem to be a major point against said reputation.

Unless the new parts are cheaper than old parts.

 

[jml12286]

Do you guys really feel the series 2 is a significant upgrade over the 3? I have a series 2 and have been debating getting a series 4 (versus waiting for the 5). I’ve got $36 that I can apply to a purchase at B&H photo that I have to use by July.

Wondering if the newer models are faster/better at simple things like dictating a reply to a text, making a reminder, even switching songs.

Just switched to a series 4 from a series 2, and it is so much more usable. No more waiting 5 secs to open up a text, and siri is actually usable. The screen size is also nice. Went from 38mm to 40mm. Its the first time my watch actually feel the same like using my phone

 

[jaredlipsitz]

How does this square with Tim Cook's reputation as a master of supply chains? This would seem to be a major point against said reputation.

I’ll tell you how. Very well. Firstly, this is probably cheaper for Apple than permanently building in additional latency into their supply chain. Secondly, the customer gets a better device. Where’s the problem?

 

[vmistery]

My 42mm s2 has a crack in the screen but to be honest for the price of a repair even if the 42mm was included in this this I’d rather wait it out and get the s5 as it still works.

 

[kyleh22]

How does this square with Tim Cook's reputation as a master of supply chains? This would seem to be a major point against said reputation.

It may be cheaper to produce Gen 3's in high volume than Gen 2 parts in a low volume. The gen upcoming 5 may be so much better than Gen 3's that Apple is not worried about cannibalizing future sales by offering a gen 3 upgrade.

That said, with a company the size of Apple, the CEO would be extremely removed from parts supply on a single legacy product line.