apple watch sudden screen shatter

Ok so if you’re just tuning into my story. I called Apple and they told me to pay. I then when into Apple and they said it was free replacement. They shipped it to apple and they then emailed me telling me to pay, so I called Apple. The senior advisor said he would wave the fee just 1 time for me. So it’s getting fixed for free.

As a follow up, I was informed that my "product was ready" and to return to the store. When I got there, they informed me that they don't fix cracked screens (so, why did they "send it away a week earlier?) and they could offer me a new one (for another $300). I told them this was completely unacceptable (this being the 3rd watch I would have to buy), and the manager finally agreed to sell it to me for 1/2 price (I'm still angry about having to pay anything). Then, I asked him what precautions I should take in order to avoid this same problem (since I babied the thing to begin with). He strongly advised a case (like a bumper) AND a screen protector. I have now purchased both. The watch, which was big to begin with, looks a bit ridiculous, but I have no choice but to try to avoid this happening again. I would quickly move to a different product if this didn't have everything I want. I guess I'm now praying that a new Series 4 comes out with a solution, because this is not sustainable....

If the tech who examined your watch found evidence of damage caused by external impact, or the battery was within tolerance (or not) then that's what goes on the report. They don't get a bonus either way, they just do the job, write it up and move on to the next case.

There are two common causes for screens breaking, either external damage (usually impact) -or- internal pressure from a failing battery which has expanded to fill the space available. Both will have a characteristic appearance which will be very familiar to the examining technician.

As far as strength of the screen goes, common sense will tell you what happens if the screen gets impact damage, and with internal pressure from a failed battery the glass is unlikely to be stronger than the metal body so it is obvious where any failure will show up. The only way they can make the screen "not the weak point" is to increase thickness until it is stronger than the watch body, at which point the touch screen will probably be unusable and the watch will be much thicker, maybe double the existing size. The other option would be to switch to a plastic screen but I remember the screaming customers in the early days of smartphones demanding glass screens because plastic felt horrible and scratched easily. Only glass was acceptable, plastic was for third world and kiddie phones.

I’m having the same issue. I wore my watch into a pool for the first time ever a couple of weeks back. When I got out and sat on the longer I heard what could only be described as a fizzing sound and a pop..when I looked down I noticed that the glass had shattered ‘around’ the face. My watch was on my arm and I couldn’t believe what had happened. I’m a very careful person and never even wore the watch in the shower, but just took the chance with the pool as I needed it to tell the time.

I contacted Apple Online Care and showed them images of what happened and details of how it happened. They stated that they would fix it at no extra charge and that it was sill under warranty. Long story short..they said they’d ship a box out to me within 2-3 working days and it never came. 4 days later I contacted them and they said they had no parts and that’s why the box wasn’t shipped. So told me I could take it to a local Apple Store so they could send it off for me. Get to the store and I explain what happened, expecting them just to read their online notes from my Apple account and to ship my watch off..but alas..no, they tell me that I could be charged $225 plus tax to get it fixed. I then tell them about what Apple care have stated and they are no more interested. I received an email yesterday stating that my watch has ‘multiple screen cracks’ (which a person hard of sight could see that!!) with no explanation as to how this occurred. I feel really hard done by and am completely frustrated with Apple and their conflicting information both online and in store. I refuse to pay this money to get it fixed and I too will fight this case. I believe that there is a fault with the watch (since it was my first time using it in the water). Why can’t they just accept the fault. This was no ‘accident’ when it was attached to my arm!!!

I have also lodged a complaint with Martyn Lewis Resolver as they are independent and brilliant with customer complaints. Maybe we should all do this as I believe we have a case we can fight for against this conglomerate!!

Hi! Same thing here. Two apple watches bought in less than a month. One is up for repair but since in my country there is no official support for the watch (but official “Premium Resellers” al around) we have to travel abroad to get service. Is this even getting around to the tech guys? Yesterday Apple shares dropped 10 bucks a share. Anything to do with this? I sure miss olda fashioned Apple products that were built to last according to Steve Jobs standards. Makes me seroiusly reconsider (and I have been an apple consumer forverer) swithing to samsung.

I had similar but mine was malfunctioning/erractic a few days on and off, then just unresponsive, then began to overheat and was so hot I couldn’t hold it. I thought it was going to blow...sure enough when it was cooling down the screen had shattered. It even made a hot spot on the wooden dresser. Now they ask 317? To repair it when its notthe screen, it was the overheat that shattered the screen. All they see is a crack and handily, that voids all further communication. I have been dismissed and they didn’t even return my last call when promised as the technician has spoken/ruled - no further communication.yet no explanation as why the watch doesnt function only quoted screen repair.

This happened to me today as well. Noticed a small crack forming and on my way to the Apple store, I went to check the time and noticed the screen had completely shattered while it was on my wrist. The Apple "Genius" told me this was a result of physical abuse and wanted to see pictures of my watch before it shattered. I didn't take any because I was on my way to the store to show them the crack. Basically, I was told by the "Genius" it was my fault and I was lying. Apple support was no help. They said that to claim the repair under the defect recall, I had to take the watch to the store and have a "Genius" assess as to whether this was covered under the recall. Huh? I am supposed to go back to the same place that accused me of lying? Instead of Apple being concerned that their watch is shattering while someone is wearing it and being accountable for this defect, they are making it hard for someone to get the watch fixed.

You're welcome.

How did you get on- same has just happened to mine- randomly in corner and then a crack?

Mine shattered overnight sitting on the charger. Apple charged me a replacement fee.

Hi. This happened to me yesterday. When i took out my watch today, I saw the screen cracked at all the edges. It appears like it has been pushed from the inside. It's less than a week old.

That's exactly what happened to me except mine is totally shattered.

How much was charged?

Hi Tim this has just happened to my watch. Out of interest what Sydney Store did you go too?

Thanks