Apple Watch Sport screen scratched?

I think most people get it isn't covered under warranty. The gripe is that I've owned many, many watches and most are cheaper than the apple watch. None of them scratch this easily. Yes, they do make a big deal about the apple watch sport being resistant.

To keep the Sport collection models as light as possible, we used an aluminosilicate glass that’s especially resistant to scratches and impact. It’s fortified at the molecular level through ion exchange, with smaller ions being replaced by larger ones to create a surface layer far tougher than ordinary glass.

After paying $350 plus tax for a watch, I think people are disappointed, and rightly so, that it scratches much easier than much cheaper watches they own. My iPhones without this great glass and holding it in my pocket all day with who knows what, has never scratched this easy.

People are rightly frustrated...

Sigep739 wrote:

I think most people get it isn't covered under warranty. The gripe is that I've owned many, many watches and most are cheaper than the apple watch. None of them scratch this easily. Yes, they do make a big deal about the apple watch sport being resistant.

To keep the Sport collection models as light as possible, we used an aluminosilicate glass that’s especially resistant to scratches and impact. It’s fortified at the molecular level through ion exchange, with smaller ions being replaced by larger ones to create a surface layer far tougher than ordinary glass.

After paying $350 plus tax for a watch, I think people are disappointed, and rightly so, that it scratches much easier than much cheaper watches they own. My iPhones without this great glass and holding it in my pocket all day with who knows what, has never scratched this easy.

People are rightly frustrated...

Absolute, total nonsense. Baloney. You couldn’t be more wrong. Some of you have literally invented this meme about Apple devices and scratching more or less than other brands. Completely obsessive compulsive behavior. Try hiring a class action lawyer, a bunch of engineers, and proving your assertion and let’s see how you fare. Your allegations are scurrilous and libelous. Apple should sue you. A personal opinion is no better than your facts and you have none.

Well, I called apple support back to day and spoke to customer relations about my "scratch" and the people on this discussion that had their watches replaced.....and they are replacing it.🙂 I had 2 options given to me. 1. Replacement-free of charge, no warranty, or 2. Buy apple care even though it is past the 60 days, and they would cover the cost to replace my watch this time, which would have been 69 dollars. I am very happy with my experience and if it was not for this forum, I would have had to pay 229 dollars for the screen repair. With all of this being said, I advise all apple watch customers to protect your screen right away, which I am doing with my new watch, and/or get the apple care, it is only 49 dollars. I have LOTS of apple products and only have apple care on 1 i-pad, which was a gift. I take excellent care of all of my electronics and to this day, do NOT remember ever scratching the watch. Lesson learned, hope this helps any of the rest of you with ruined watches!!! P.S.-I called all around for an outside place to replace the screen, and I could NOT find anyone one who was doing it.

When my sport watch scratched within a day of owning it. that thing would pick up scratches for looking at it funny so I replaced it with the stainless model. Like any watch it's taken a few dings and bumps against walls and the like and it doesn't have a single scratch.

Unfortunately, I am also having this problem with my 42mm space gray sport Apple Watch. I bought it only one month and a half ago. What upsets me the most is the fact that these scratched appeared suddenly and too much easily (see attached picture). I know that the screen is not sapphire but I use iPhone since 3GS version and I never had such issues of scratches on screen's surface! Moreover, I expected more from a watch paid EURO 469,00! I live in Italy and I made a reservation to the Genius Bar of my nearest Apple store. I will let you know what they will reply and how (and IF) I will be able to resolve.

UPDATE:

I can confirm that the easy scratches on Apple Watch Sport really are an issue for Apple. It costed me a visit to the nearest Apple Store, many telephone calls to the support center, emails with pictures and explanations but finally, I successfully replaced my 42 mm space gray scratched with a brand new one! All for free! Apple made the replacement through UPS service. Delivery of new device to me in only two days (without strep and accessories) and return of the scratch one from my side (had to be within ten working days). Without any freight cost. Apple charged on my credit card the value of the watch as guarantee but after my quick return of the original scratched device, in one week they refunded the money. After this experience, I decided for my own to buy for my first time the Apple Care + insurance. Now I will protect the screen and I recommend to all of you to be very careful with your sport watch.

Totally agree with you..already got a scratch mark on my watch on the first week. rather than getting the care + insurance which is quite expensive, I was convinced by a friend to get a tempered glass protector with it.. She ordered for me from Jedi Shield ...loving it! at least no more scratches =)

I was given an Apple Watch for a birthday gift less than 2 weeks ago. After 1 week of wearing it, I noticed two small scratches on the watch. I chatted with Apple Support online, and they told me to bring it to an Apple store. I brought it to the store, and the employee said "I've had my Apple Watch since May and I haven't scratched it." He then told me there is nothing that can be done unless I want to pay at least $229, and it could be more. His advice to me was "Just deal with it and be more careful". As a lifelong Apple user (Macbook Air, Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, etc.) I am very disappointed with not only the Apple Watch, but the way the employees are treating their customers. It is really going to make me think twice before I buy another Apple product - which is a shame because I loved everything else about them.

<Edited by Host>

How we're you able to go about replacing your device at no cost? I have just spoken to Apple Support about the scratch across the screen of my Apple Watch SG (42MM) & they basically advised that my only option was for a 'Out of Warranty' cost - even after advising of this thread & the fact the device is advertised as scratch resistant 😟.

Is it possible Apple changed something with the screen? I have one of the new ones that where announce with the iPhone 6S (midnight blue with gold color aluminum) and got it Sept 28th and not one scratch yet. I don't have a screen protector and have bumped the screen on things a few times. Maybe some screens are more prone to scratches?

It's possible, but not an explanation. I have a first-day watch, worn every day - no scratches.

Maybe there are variations in quality, maybe I'm specially careful (not aware of it)

Interestingly Apple have significantly altered the wording advertised on their website. Notice previously the glass on the aluminium model was previously boasted as 'Scratch & Impact Resistant' on launch of the watch, these references have now been removed.

Before change -

After change -

Could this be a sign that the watches are not as scratch resistance as once thought?

<Link Edited by Host>

mine has little scratches to .. the 42mm space grey sport. the back with the censors seems way worse scratched..lol its so bad the heartrate meter wont work annymore its to blred ot de to scrasches im not verry hapy aboth my 469 ero watch being this bad after a few months of light usage

I got my midnight blue/gold face sport for my birthday on 10/3 and it already has several hairline scratches. It's upsetting since this watch seems to be more prone to scratches than my cheaper Michael Kors! I'll be going to the Apple store this week to hopefully get it replaced.

Other than the scratches that seem to appear just by looking at it, I really do like this watch!

So after 15 days of ownership, I noticed at work yesterday 5-6 very light scratches that are almost imperceptible except in certain light and angles (only 1 can be seen with iPhone 6 camera ;-). I found this thread and thanks to those posting!!! It helped me call today to Apple support over the phone. I spoke to a ******** who was awesome and helped me in having a new watch shipped to my house with only a small tax fee; I only have to ship the old one back. I was technically outside the 14 day return window today (16 days total) but he helped me out nonetheless.

Lesson 1: BUY THE APPLE PROTECTION PLAN!!! This watch is not cheap and you need that protection! If you can afford over $300 for a watch, you can afford an additional $69

Lesson 2: BUY A PROTECTOR/CASE; I bought a rugged Spigen case yesterday on Ebay for <$20 and should have it within a few days.

Lesson 3: NEVER TAKE APPLE PRODUCTS FOR GRANTED!!! It's amazing that this got damaged so easily and I'm not sure how. It has brushed the sides of my fridge, microwave, sink edges and that's about it. I'm in the Northeast and wearing long-sleeved shirts/jackets right now and so the element of damage/trauma right now is very minimal...at $399 a pop this watch should be more durable and lasting and clearly has its problems/weaknesses!

<Personal Information Edited by Host>

Hey there,

I so have the November 15 afternoon bought my Apple Watch sport, and the next day I realize I have a line on the bottom of the screen that crosses all this, as I look after my products apple better than my life, and I was the iShop that would mention the rayon happened because of me. if this is not a warranty or between options gives apple because my belt and also present a considerable wear and will have a month to watch apple.

Stay tuned to your comments.

Cheers