Apple extends free repairs for first-gen Apple Watch back covers to three years
Apple has quietly extended free repairs for separated back covers on the first-generation Apple Watch to three years, regardless of warranty coverage.
The change should apply to any first-gen model -- Sport, standard, Edition, or Hermes -- even if a previous warranty has expired. To arrange a repair, people must contact an Apple store, an authorized service provider, or else Apple's remote support staff.
People who have already paid for a back cover repair may be able to secure a refund by calling Apple Support.
The loose cover issue has been known since 2015. Among affected people, the part often appears to be separating when taking a Watch off its magnetic charger. The root cause is unknown, but one possibility is that Apple's manufacturer didn't use strong or sufficient glue.
The repair extension was earlier reported by MacRumors, and confirmed by AppleInsider sources.
Apple's Series 1 and 2 Watches, launched in late 2016, so far appear to be sturdier. The Series 1 is essentially a first-gen Watch with a faster processor, but the Series 2 includes additional upgrades, such as full waterproofing -- making it essential that the device stay sealed.
The change should apply to any first-gen model -- Sport, standard, Edition, or Hermes -- even if a previous warranty has expired. To arrange a repair, people must contact an Apple store, an authorized service provider, or else Apple's remote support staff.
People who have already paid for a back cover repair may be able to secure a refund by calling Apple Support.
The loose cover issue has been known since 2015. Among affected people, the part often appears to be separating when taking a Watch off its magnetic charger. The root cause is unknown, but one possibility is that Apple's manufacturer didn't use strong or sufficient glue.
The repair extension was earlier reported by MacRumors, and confirmed by AppleInsider sources.
Apple's Series 1 and 2 Watches, launched in late 2016, so far appear to be sturdier. The Series 1 is essentially a first-gen Watch with a faster processor, but the Series 2 includes additional upgrades, such as full waterproofing -- making it essential that the device stay sealed.
Comments
Just received a replacement Gen 1 after the watch battery expanded and popped the screen off the watch. They've extended the warranty for expanding battery issues for 3 years as well.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/03/02/apple-watch-saw-best-quarter-ever-with-46m-units-during-holidays-estimate-claims
Apple is almost certainly more profitable, given its strategy with other product lines, but we don't know - it doesn't break out Watch units or revenues in its quarterlies.
Since it is a year and a half old I figured I might as well replace the battery while it is open.
Unfortunately the battery and the adhesive gasket has been out of stock for quite a while at ifixit.com
OK, have fun with that...
"Before someone jumps on me - I am a big user of everything Apple has ever made" And that right there is where I lost my respect for you, and also along with the rest of your post. Only those who are insecure about what they are posting that people will see right thru their BS have to make this statement.
I had the Watch Series 0 (original) since launch day, loved it, even though was a bit slow at times, and it was NEVER a "play toy". I used it for transit navigation with Transit app, health with Strava, remote Camera using built-in app along with Camera+ and ProCam, Apple Pay ALL the time, amongst other usages. You calling it a "play toy" just made you look like an unknowledgeable bafoon.
When will even using Safari on your wrist ever make sense, much less the countless other things one does with a modern smartphone? I don't see it happening, yet my Watch is the first thing I put on every day and the last thing I take off. My iPhone can certainly do stuff my Watch can, but the Watch is indispensable in allowing me to save time and effort, and to maximize my efficiency every… single… day.
I still have a gen 1 and agreed the first watchOS was a work in progress, but subsequent OS updates have vastly improved usability and battery life.