Just how Water Resistant is the Series 2 Apple Watch?

[iammrdom]

Yesterday after wearing my Apple Watch to the pool, and having the blue water droplet appear on the screen, then turning the crown to clear the speaker - after finishing my swim, sounds coming out of the Apple Watch Series 2 sound distorted.

So I decided to start a chat with an AppleCare Representative to discuss a solution to the problem with the Apple Watch.

What came out of the conversation was that you need to apparently lock the Apple Watch with the 'droplet' function before swimming. Which I don't recall seeing in Apple Ad's for the Apple Watch Series 2 - at all. As I understand it, that feature is only for locking the screen anyway, so that the screen doesn't react to any contact with the touch screen while swimming.

What came out of it, I was charged an extra $99 (Australian pricing) for accidental damage... as well as a standard hold for the price of the watch, as I'd chosen the express replacement option - which is fine.

I am meant to get the $99 back if it's not deemed accidental damage, but really - I used my Apple Watch as was advertised on TV, I swam in a pool with my watch... it came out of the pool with water damage to the speaker and I'm being judged as guilty of accidental damage?! Not impressed to be honest.

Also, before the watch service could be initiated, the watch needed to be unpaired and removed from my devices - so while I wait (its been a day without an update from Apple) I've got a nice rectangle of aluminium thats unusable and my wait for the replacement continues.

**Update: Apple have now shipped the replacement Apple Watch, and it's on the way. Granted, by Australia Post - which is about the cheapest and slowest way of it getting here; but at least it's on the way.

 

[moxxham]

Was the sound that came out of the speaker from taking it out of the 'water drop' mode the sound that was distorted. Or was the notifications sounds etc. distorted after?

 

[iammrdom]

Was the sound that came out of the speaker from taking it out of the 'water drop' mode the sound that was distorted. Or was the notifications sounds etc. distorted after?

Notification sounds are distorted, I should have made that clearer.

 

[moxxham]

Notification sounds are distorted, I should have made that clearer.

Even when you use the water droplet feature to push the water out of the speaker, it doesn't always get all of it out. It can still be muffled, or distorted for a few hours after swimming until it dries out completely. You can even just swipe up on the watch face and use the feature again until its blown as much water out of the speaker as it can.

I use mine at the beach extremely frequently, in the pool, in the shower. It still happens to mine occasionally.
Whether yours did have an issue or not, I'm really not too sure haha. I wouldn't be concerned with it in the future though.

 

[iammrdom]

Even when you use the water droplet feature to push the water out of the speaker, it doesn't always get all of it out. It can still be muffled, or distorted for a few hours after swimming until it dries out completely. You can even just swipe up on the watch face and use the feature again until its blown as much water out of the speaker as it can.

I use mine at the beach extremely frequently, in the pool, in the shower. It still happens to mine occasionally.
Whether yours did have an issue or not, I'm really not too sure haha. I wouldn't be concerned with it in the future though.

Thing is, I followed all the instructions including tilting the watch to the side and wiping away excess water and leaving it in a well ventilated dry place overnight; the sounds were still distorted.

Bit disappointed with Apple, them assuming it was a problem I caused and that imho the Apple Watch Series 2 doesn't quite seem to be as water resistant as advertised on TV.

In the TV Ad, the stylish person didn't have their Watch send a notification and have it sound broken )

 

[moxxham]

Thing is, I followed all the instructions including tilting the watch to the side and wiping away excess water and leaving it in a well ventilated dry place overnight; the sounds were still distorted.

Bit disappointed with Apple, them assuming it was a problem I caused and that imho the Apple Watch Series 2 doesn't quite seem to be as water resistant as advertised on TV.

In the TV Ad, the stylish person didn't have their Watch send a notification and have it sound broken )

Sounds like you were unlucky and got a bit of a dud. Enjoy your new one though! Don't let this experience dishearten you. I love taking mine swimming, its great at tracking!

 

[iammrdom]

Sounds like you were unlucky and got a bit of a dud. Enjoy your new one though! Don't let this experience dishearten you. I love taking mine swimming, its great at tracking!

I think you're right. I upgraded from a Series 0 and while I didn't swim with it, I never took it off for showering and it never had a problem.

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

Yesterday after wearing my Apple Watch to the pool, and having the blue water droplet appear on the screen, then turning the crown to clear the speaker - after finishing my swim, sounds coming out of the Apple Watch Series 2 sound distorted.

So I decided to start a chat with an AppleCare Representative to discuss a solution to the problem with the Apple Watch.

What came out of the conversation was that you need to apparently lock the Apple Watch with the 'droplet' function before swimming. Which I don't recall seeing in Apple Ad's for the Apple Watch Series 2 - at all. As I understand it, that feature is only for locking the screen anyway, so that the screen doesn't react to any contact with the touch screen while swimming.

What came out of it, I was charged an extra $99 (Australian pricing) for accidental damage... as well as a standard hold for the price of the watch, as I'd chosen the express replacement option - which is fine.

I am meant to get the $99 back if it's not deemed accidental damage, but really - I used my Apple Watch as was advertised on TV, I swam in a pool with my watch... it came out of the pool with water damage to the speaker and I'm being judged as guilty of accidental damage?! Not impressed to be honest.

Also, before the watch service could be initiated, the watch needed to be unpaired and removed from my devices - so while I wait (its been a day without an update from Apple) I've got a nice rectangle of aluminium thats unusable and my wait for the replacement continues.

That's ********, I followed the whole Apple Watch 2 release conference and it doesn't say that anywhere. If they really want you to pay a fee, just say you did put it in "droplet" mode.

 

[iammrdom]

That's ********, I followed the whole Apple Watch 2 release conference and it doesn't say that anywhere. If they really want you to pay a fee, just say you did put it in "droplet" mode.

You're right. It's no where in the Ads, I think it's the AppleCare rep just trying to make $99 for themselves. And this is what impressed me the least with the whole warranty process.

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

Droplet mode has no effect on the waterproofing of the watch. All that is for is to lock the screen sometimes water can activate the sceen.

 

[iammrdom]

Droplet mode has no effect on the waterproofing of the watch. All that is for is to lock the screen sometimes water can activate the sceen.

That's how I understood it too, but the AppleCare consultant implied that the Droplet mode needed to be activated before swimming. Which I thought was rubbish.

 

[44267547]

Yesterday after wearing my Apple Watch to the pool, and having the blue water droplet appear on the screen, then turning the crown to clear the speaker - after finishing my swim, sounds coming out of the Apple Watch Series 2 sound distorted.

So I decided to start a chat with an AppleCare Representative to discuss a solution to the problem with the Apple Watch.

What came out of the conversation was that you need to apparently lock the Apple Watch with the 'droplet' function before swimming. Which I don't recall seeing in Apple Ad's for the Apple Watch Series 2 - at all. As I understand it, that feature is only for locking the screen anyway, so that the screen doesn't react to any contact with the touch screen while swimming.

What came out of it, I was charged an extra $99 (Australian pricing) for accidental damage... as well as a standard hold for the price of the watch, as I'd chosen the express replacement option - which is fine.

I am meant to get the $99 back if it's not deemed accidental damage, but really - I used my Apple Watch as was advertised on TV, I swam in a pool with my watch... it came out of the pool with water damage to the speaker and I'm being judged as guilty of accidental damage?! Not impressed to be honest.

Also, before the watch service could be initiated, the watch needed to be unpaired and removed from my devices - so while I wait (its been a day without an update from Apple) I've got a nice rectangle of aluminium thats unusable and my wait for the replacement continues.

**Update: Apple have now shipped the replacement Apple Watch, and it's on the way. Granted, by Australia Post - which is about the cheapest and slowest way of it getting here; but at least it's on the way.

At least your replacement watch is on the way. Glad it all worked out for you. But definitely a strange occurrence with your first Apple Watch.

 

[iammrdom]

At least your replacement watch is on the way. Glad it all worked out for you. But definitely a strange occurrence with your first Apple Watch.

I'm definitely not going to take the replacement swimming. I really want to avoid all the drama again, plus I've lost just a little bit of faith in Apple's advertising…

 

[44267547]

I'm definitely not going to take the replacement swimming. I really want to avoid all the drama again, plus I've lost just a little bit of faith in Apple's advertising…

Understandable. I haven't taken my Apple Watch swimming or submerged in water. But I have got it wet, and I have not had any issues.

 

[iammrdom]

Understandable. I haven't taken my Apple Watch swimming or submerged in water. But I have got it wet, and I have not had any issues.

As long as the whole incident is covered as warranty and not 'Physical Damage' which I guess would mean Apple keeps the $99… then I will quickly forget all the dramas.

Because in all honesty the Watch is in no way otherwise faulty and it's not damage I caused by misuse. I believed I was using the watch as intended and advertised.

 

[44267547]

As long as the whole incident is covered as warranty and not 'Physical Damage' which I guess would mean Apple keeps the $99… then I will quickly forget all the dramas.

Because in all honesty the Watch is in no way otherwise faulty and it's not damage I caused by misuse. I believed I was using the watch as intended and advertised.

I agree. Especially, the Apple Watch is rated for 50 m water resistant. Meaning, you can easily be submerged in water for long periods of time. Perhaps your watch was just faulty from the start.

 

[jamin00]

Must have been a dud. I have not swam with mine on yet but shower often with it, jacuzzi every morning and I even used it in the steam room and sauna before I realised that the last 2 you should not do by asking on here it's fine. Sometimes I lock the watch with the water droplet and sometimes I forget.

However, I always do the water droplet thing 2 or 3 times when I'm finished too just to make sure it's all out.

Glad you got a new one on the way and if Apple decide you were to blame and do not refund the $99 I would be very surprised and kicking up all kinds of stink but this MUST be highly unlikely?

 

[iammrdom]

It's been 'de-banded' and ready to go to the service centre.

Added pictures just to show that, I hadn't in any way damaged the watch.


[doublepost=1485501730][/doublepost]

Must have been a dud. I have not swam with mine on yet but shower often with it, jacuzzi every morning and I even used it in the steam room and sauna before I realised that the last 2 you should not do by asking on here it's fine. Sometimes I lock the watch with the water droplet and sometimes I forget.

However, I always do the water droplet thing 2 or 3 times when I'm finished too just to make sure it's all out.

Glad you got a new one on the way and if Apple decide you were to blame and do not refund the $99 I would be very surprised and kicking up all kinds of stink but this MUST be highly unlikely?

I know it's 'only' $99, but still... especially since I know that it was nothing that I did willingly.

Anyway, I reckon you're right. Maybe this one was a 'monday' or a 'friday' watch and the replacement will restore my belief in the Apple Watch.

 

[Beards]

It's been 'de-banded' and ready to go to the service centre.

Added pictures just to show that, I hadn't in any way damaged the watch.

View attachment 685776 View attachment 685777
[doublepost=1485501730][/doublepost]

I know it's 'only' $99, but still... especially since I know that it was nothing that I did willingly.

Anyway, I reckon you're right. Maybe this one was a 'monday' or a 'friday' watch and the replacement will restore my belief in the Apple Watch.

I think you are taking this $99 payment a little too easy. If it were me I would be having a hissing fit with Apple if they expected me to pay for something which sounds like a defective watch.
Get them to prove it was your carelessness that caused the watch to malfunction:- forgetting to lock the screen does not count as carelessness.

 

[iammrdom]

I think you are taking this $99 payment a little too easy. If it were me I would be having a hissing fit with Apple if they expected me to pay for something which sounds like a defective watch.
Get them to prove it was your carelessness that caused the watch to malfunction:- forgetting to lock the screen does not count as carelessness.

I got upset at the charge and let the AppleCare person know about it... I wasn't rude about it, but made sure it was all documented and kept the chat transcript.

*******@me.com

done... but this whole process is leaving a very sour taste in my mouth

Misty

I do certainly apologize if you are feeling that way but, the repair was setup as it should be. Your account Notes have been well documented. And, you will get your replacement.

...


Misty

I'm not sure what you mean by that but your account has been clearly noted to inspect the watch for manufacturer’s defect and refund any and all money if that is the case.




*******@me.com

including the $99?


Misty

I can setup the repair again and delete the current repair. But, it will take longer as we won't be able to use the Express Replacement Service.


Misty

Yes including the $99

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

It's been 'de-banded' and ready to go to the service centre.

Added pictures just to show that, I hadn't in any way damaged the watch.

View attachment 685776 View attachment 685777
[doublepost=1485501730][/doublepost]

I know it's 'only' $99, but still... especially since I know that it was nothing that I did willingly.

Anyway, I reckon you're right. Maybe this one was a 'monday' or a 'friday' watch and the replacement will restore my belief in the Apple Watch.

Don't say its only 99$, think how many BigMac trio you can get with that money!!!

 

[iammrdom]

Don't say its only 99$, think how many BigMac trio you can get with that money!!!

I needed a laugh, but you're right. Although I prefer Hungry Jacks (Burger King - in America). I've worked at McDonalds you see, and I saw how it's made. Yeah no thanks.

 

[jaypr]

Even when you use the water droplet feature to push the water out of the speaker, it doesn't always get all of it out. It can still be muffled, or distorted for a few hours after swimming until it dries out completely. You can even just swipe up on the watch face and use the feature again until its blown as much water out of the speaker as it can.

Exactly this.

I also rinse mine off in the shower after swimming too. I've been swimming with mine quite a bit. I usually do a mile in the pool and have clocked up over 30 miles swimming so far and have not had any issues whatsoever.

I does sound like the posters watch was faulty and should have been replaced for free. The series 2 watch is marketed at swimmers people should not be scared of using it in the water.

 

[iammrdom]

Exactly this.

I also rinse mine off in the shower after swimming too. I've been swimming with mine quite a bit. I usually do a mile in the pool and have clocked up over 30 miles swimming so far and have not had any issues whatsoever.

I does sound like the posters watch was faulty and should have been replaced for free. The series 2 watch is marketed at swimmers people should not be scared of using it in the water.

Cheers for the words of support.

I have taken up swimming for fitness and bought the Nike Series 2 Apple Watch to encourage me. So I felt very disappointed by AppleCare's approach… I'll post back with how the whole saga tours out.

 

[Kyle76]

I highly doubt you will be expected to pay for the replacement. Once inspected, Apple will see there was no abuse and refund your $99. A hassle for sure, but no product is perfect. Defects sometimes slip through. I would absolutely use your replacement for swimming. You've paid for a premium product and that functionality. Do not let this experience hamper your intended use of it.