As Apple is charging over $300 to replace the screen on the stainless steel Watch, I had the idea of looking on eBay for iCloud locked watches to take the screen from. Those iCloud locked devices are almost all Sport models, around $150. I was wondering if they are compatible so I can save some money. Thanks!
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Will an Apple Watch Sport Screen Work on an SS Model?
- Thread starter MacCubed
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I don't think anyone here has actually replaced a screen themselves to know. May I ask why you didn't spend $75 for AppleCare on a $700 Apple watch?
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I would assume it can be done, since internally the watches are the same. The only difference is the display material (IonX vs Sapphire) and the casing. I'd much rather pay to get it replaced by Apple, but that's because I'm bad with mechanical things and would probably screw it up 
I wasn't thinking at the time of purchase, I thought that it would be a lot more durable than it was.... I practically tapped it into a metal door frame and it cracked
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The donor watch would be an iCloud locked one and therefore probably never work again
I would rather pay Apple too, but don't want to pay $300.... The one thing I'm worried about if I repair it though, is if water resistance would still be present.I would assume it can be done, since internally the watches are the same. The only difference is the display material (IonX vs Sapphire) and the casing. I'd much rather pay to get it replaced by Apple, but that's because I'm bad with mechanical things and would probably screw it up
There is absolutely no guarantee if you go the DIY way that the Watch will work afterwards - at all.
Look at this: https://de.ifixit.com/Guide/Apple+Watch+Screen+Replacement/41082
ifixit.com says: difficult
And this: https://de.ifixit.com/Guide/Apple+Watch+Adhesive+Replacement/41083
ifixit.com says: moderate
Unless you're a world famous neurosurgeon I would highly recommend not to do it yourself. Pay the money, let the pros do the job and file it under lesson learned.
Look at this: https://de.ifixit.com/Guide/Apple+Watch+Screen+Replacement/41082
ifixit.com says: difficult
And this: https://de.ifixit.com/Guide/Apple+Watch+Adhesive+Replacement/41083
ifixit.com says: moderate
Unless you're a world famous neurosurgeon I would highly recommend not to do it yourself. Pay the money, let the pros do the job and file it under lesson learned.
The important bit was the end of the sentence. If you're going to take yours apart to try to "fix" it, you might as well just throw it out the window and buy a new one now. The odds are already stacked against you, spending $150 on top of that doesn't seem wise!
Unless you are more than 75% confident that you would be successful, then it does not make sense to go rogue. Here is a simple mathematical illustration.
Sport Screen Replacement Cost $150
Probability of Failure 25%
Cost of Failure $600
Net cost of failure $150
Total Sport Replacement Cost $300
Apple Replacement $300
Probability of Failure 0%
Cost of Failure $600
Net cost of failure $0
Total Apple Replacement Cost $300
Sport Screen Replacement Cost $150
Probability of Failure 25%
Cost of Failure $600
Net cost of failure $150
Total Sport Replacement Cost $300
Apple Replacement $300
Probability of Failure 0%
Cost of Failure $600
Net cost of failure $0
Total Apple Replacement Cost $300
The thing is that I have done numerous Mac, iPhone, iPod, etc. repairs over the past few years, and have even brought totally dead devices back. I'm just concerned that either the screen won't work, or I do in fact break the water resistant capabilities of the watch
as things get smaller, they get more intricate.
i've not read about *any* successful diy repairs to apple watch. a mac, this aint.
someone can feel free to correct me if i'm wrong, but i'm pretty sure i read apple ships refurbs for screen replacements rather than actually replacing the screen?
It sounds like maybe you cracked the crystal, not the screen itself. Does the screen still come on? If it does you probably just need to replace the sapphire crystal and I don't think it would be a good idea to try and swap it with the glass crystal from a Sport model. Although I don't know if those are two separate parts or one complete assembly...
Ah didn't realize they are one part. I agree with everyone else best let Apple repair it.