my S0 AW screen popped off.

[yanki01]

I wasn't doing anything but typing at work and it popped off. you can see the battery swelling so that was obviously the issue.

I purchased this one when best buy was having the crazy sale on the SS models in late 2016. I bought one for me and my wife. i also purchased apple care+ which expired about 4 months ago. her's was replaced when the back fell off - they replaced it with the same series 0 with no issues.

I quickly called Apple to discuss my options on this. the rep was helpful and offered $79 for a battery replacement but said they'll just replace the whole watch and not just the battery for $79. I know there was an extension on a repair program for the original apple watches on the screen popping off due to the battery swelling. i brought it up to the supervisor and she said don't worry - we'll replace it free of charge.

I should be mailing it back Monday and hope to have a new one by the end of the week. I did ask if it will be a series 0 or something different. the rep said it will be the exact same model. a bump in processor would be nice but for how i use it - the same would be just as good. shinny too.

I feel lost without my watch on.

 

[NJHitmen]

Same thing happened to me a few months ago. Front glass was suddenly just dangling off of the watch. I brought it into an Apple Store, and after a quick look, they agreed to replace it under their "quality program". Got a brand new S0, which I continue to use today. I've read some posts from folks that received a Series 1 replacement, so apparently that's possible...but, expect another S0.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Enjoy you new S1.

 

[EnglishPsycho]

Have you contemplated updating to a newer model?

 

[JT2002TJ]

My back popped off the day I got my S4. I called apple care, they had me bring it into my Apple store. They wanted to charge me, but after my complaints they offered to replace the watch. They replaced it with a S0. This was my 3rd replacement (I got my S0 on release day).

1st the AR coating came off in a spot (the 2nd week)
2nd wouldn't connect to wifi
3rd back popped off

Each time replaced with a S0.

 

[yanki01]

apple got the broken watch today - waiting on a replacement now.

Enjoy you new S1.

crossing my fingers for at least that minor spec bump. either way - i'll be glad to have a shinny new/refurb S0.

Have you contemplated updating to a newer model?

yeah but for what i use it for - I don't see the need. it's mainly for notifications. I'm a type 1 diabetic but still on old technology on my insulin pump. when my insurance allows it later in the year, i plan on upgrading pump/CGM so i may look into a newer one to benefit from some new features.

 

[44267547]

OP: In the least, they should be replacing your watch with a Series one, being that the first GEN watch is much more difficult to come across, and of course is no longer manufactured/and/or supported through watchOS. Some members have even received Series 2 for replacement watches.

 

[yanki01]

I thought that would be the case for when apple replaced my wife's 38mm stainless steel first gen in May of last year but they didn't. because I
some on here reported that they got upgraded during a repair.

hopefully after 10 months they've changed that and I'll be rewarded but I'll hold my hopes.

my replacement watch has shipped and will be delivered tomorrow. I'll report back then.

 

[yanki01]

recieved the watch today. model A1554. same as before.

 

[JT2002TJ]

recieved the watch today. model A1554. same as before.

Yeah, this is what the did for me too. I wonder if it was only the stores that replace with different models, maybe apple care has refurbished inventory.

 

[yanki01]

yeah that could be a possibility too. it would have been nice to get a bump in model but glad it was replaced for free either way.

 

[Kerry78]

Goodness I wouldn’t like to be wearing mine at the time if it did that did you get any marks on your wrist ? Did it get extremely hot ?

I’ve had my S0 a month or so now it was a secondhand buy it does have a few marks on it but I gotta admit I love it and I wish I ventured in getting one sooner cos there just so handy especially if your have a crap tight pouch for your iPhone that takes a while to pull out

 

[yanki01]

no marks. it was just the screen, not the bottom of the watch.

 

[sickoagb]

I’m in the same boat and they’ve taken my SS Apple Watch in for replacement. It appears that if your model is the Sport aluminium they will replace it with a Series 1 model, whereas us with the SS models get the same one in return.

 

[chadam]

My 42 Stainless Steel SO AW Sapphire screen popped off. Battery swelled from sitting on the apple charge it came with. Watch is immaculate. Went 3 different Apple Stores with it and they wanted to charge me big bucks to fix it. eventually, they offered to ship it out for $79. They tried to give me a sales pitch to get a new one. I would like them to replace it for me. Am I better of calling a particular group at apple or email? clearly there stores in Metro Boston didn't meet or exceed my expectations. I was bamboozled by the SS when it come out and enjoyed wearing it and recommending it to people and then the screen pops of? This wouldn't happen to low to mid end Swiss watch. Not a good look. Any recommendations on how would achieve satisfaction?

 

[DanielNTX]

Had an S0 38mm back pop off and brought it to the store and the store told me there's nothing they could do, call their support line. Called their support line and they said the store should have done something for me. Went back to the store and the store says Apple Support had more power than them. Called Apple Support back and got a different agent. He had to escalate it, but it cost me $99 to repair rather than $129.

 

[44267547]

My 42 Stainless Steel SO AW Sapphire screen popped off. Battery swelled from sitting on the apple charge it came with. Watch is immaculate. Went 3 different Apple Stores with it and they wanted to charge me big bucks to fix it. eventually, they offered to ship it out for $79. They tried to give me a sales pitch to get a new one. I would like them to replace it for me. Am I better of calling a particular group at apple or email? clearly there stores in Metro Boston didn't meet or exceed my expectations. I was bamboozled by the SS when it come out and enjoyed wearing it and recommending it to people and then the screen pops of? This wouldn't happen to low to mid end Swiss watch. Not a good look. Any recommendations on how would achieve satisfaction?

It’s not unusual for the first GEN watch to have the battery issue expanding. Obviously there was a warranty in place for that, but only was in effect for so long. I wouldn’t really compare your Swiss watch to a tech watch like the Apple Watch, mainly because the battery being used is from two different sources, where the battery in the Apple Watch is a cheap Chinese battery, which Apple seems to have rectified with the later models.

If you’re not satisfied with the service you received, then contact their customer service care for feedback.

 

[biron_richard]

I like to share my experience with my watch the Crystal pop out at 40,000 feet flying from Montreal to Vancouver on a dream liner airplane look like it was well pressurize and the wash didn’t show any sign of the battery inflation I resecured the watch display with some black silicone and hope for the best

 

[CjonesHouston]

AW3, AW5 Owner. My AW0 Screen just popped off today. The day after I got the AW5. On the phone with Apple Support. Trying to mail it to Apple. Hoping for a free repair. I haven’t been told of any cost yet. I guess that comes later.

 

[CarolG]

My aluminum Apple Watch 0 screen popped off. It was due to a known issue of battery expanding and popping off the screen. I had Apple Care at that time and they sent me a free Apple Watch Series 1. I kept that one until last fall when I ordered the Series 4. I now have the new Series 5. Not sure what Apple will do after all this time since Séries 0 came out, but it was definitely due to a known battery swelling defect. They told me that when I took it to the Apple Store to get it ‘fixed.’