Some Apple Watch Series 2 Repairs May Qualify for Series 3 Replacement Until Further Notice

Until further notice, repairs of 38mm aluminum Apple Watch Series 2 models will be fulfilled with equivalent Series 3 models due to a temporary shortage of unspecified parts, according to an internal document shared with Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers today.

38mm series 2
The internal document, obtained by MacRumors, reminds technicians that Series 3 models require an iPhone compatible with watchOS 4 or later. Apple instructs technicians to notify ‌iPhone‌ 5 and ‌iPhone‌ 5c customers of their option to upgrade their ‌iPhone‌ to resolve this incompatibility.

If a customer is unable to accept the substitute Series 3 model, Apple says they can contact Apple support to request a refund.

Apple has offered similar Apple Watch repair substitutions in the past due to parts shortages, providing some lucky customers with an upgrade to a newer generation of the device at a fraction of the brand new price, but we obviously do not recommend abusing this temporary good-will policy.

To initiate a repair, head to the Get Support page on Apple's website and book an appointment with an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. We cannot guarantee that all locations will acknowledge existence of this internal policy, especially given it has no firm end date, so your mileage may vary.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9
Tag: GSX
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Top Rated Comments

Unity451 Avatar
65 months ago
[*Me with my fully-functioning Series 2 Apple Watch with Apple Care*]

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jml12286 Avatar
65 months ago
Do you guys really feel the series 2 is a significant upgrade over the 3? I have a series 2 and have been debating getting a series 4 (versus waiting for the 5). I’ve got $36 that I can apply to a purchase at B&H photo that I have to use by July.

Wondering if the newer models are faster/better at simple things like dictating a reply to a text, making a reminder, even switching songs.
Just switched to a series 4 from a series 2, and it is so much more usable. No more waiting 5 secs to open up a text, and siri is actually usable. The screen size is also nice. Went from 38mm to 40mm. Its the first time my watch actually feel the same like using my phone
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jaredlipsitz Avatar
65 months ago
How does this square with Tim Cook's reputation as a master of supply chains? This would seem to be a major point against said reputation.
I’ll tell you how. Very well. Firstly, this is probably cheaper for Apple than permanently building in additional latency into their supply chain. Secondly, the customer gets a better device. Where’s the problem?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IRockThat828pScreen Avatar
65 months ago
I want my S4 watch replaced with an S0 :mad:
Care to explain why?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Baerok Avatar
65 months ago
Apple has made radical changes from S2 to S3 and even to S4 that it kind of makes sense over time as they run out of parts supply that it’s best to move on.

They did it with S0, just replacing those with S1. Also a radical upgrade.
That’s true, but let’s don’t forget that Apple switched to much less durable composite back in Series 3 from ceramic one in Series 2 (just in an aluminum variant). That counts as a downgrade.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pdaholic Avatar
65 months ago
Just got that email from B&H photo regarding their new policy for taxes...that was motivation to purchase it now! Series 4 here on Friday.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Event Rumors: iPad Pro With M4 Chip and New Apple Pencil With Haptic Feedback

Sunday April 28, 2024 6:19 am PDT by
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman outlined some of the new products he expects Apple to announce at its "Let Loose" event on May 7. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. First, Gurman now believes there is a "strong possibility" that the upcoming iPad Pro models will be equipped with Apple's next-generation M4 chip, rather than the M3 chip that...
iOS 18 General Notes Feature 2

iOS 18 Rumored to 'Overhaul' Notes, Mail, Photos, and Fitness Apps

Sunday April 28, 2024 6:44 am PDT by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said that iOS 18 will "overhaul" many of Apple's built-in apps, including Notes, Mail, Photos, and Fitness. Gurman did not reveal any specific new features planned for these apps. It was previously rumored that the Notes app will gain support for displaying more math equations, and a built-in option to record voice memos, but this is the first time we have...
iPad Pro OLED Feature 2

Apple to Use 'Best OLED Panels on the Market' for Upcoming iPad Pro

Monday April 29, 2024 10:04 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming iPad Pro models will feature "by far the best OLED tablet panels on the market," according to Display Supply Chain Consultants. Set to be announced on May 7, the OLED iPad Pro models will feature LTPO (a more power efficient form of OLED), a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, and a tandem stack and glass thinning that will bring "ultra-thin and light displays" that support high...
maxresdefault

Apple Announces 'Let Loose' Event on May 7 Amid Rumors of New iPads

Tuesday April 23, 2024 7:11 am PDT by
Apple has announced it will be holding a special event on Tuesday, May 7 at 7 a.m. Pacific Time (10 a.m. Eastern Time), with a live stream to be available on Apple.com and on YouTube as usual. The event invitation has a tagline of "Let Loose" and shows an artistic render of an Apple Pencil, suggesting that iPads will be a focus of the event. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more ...
iOS 18 Siri Integrated Feature

iOS 18 Rumored to Add These 10 New Features to Your iPhone

Wednesday April 24, 2024 2:05 pm PDT by
Apple is set to unveil iOS 18 during its WWDC keynote on June 10, so the software update is a little over six weeks away from being announced. Below, we recap rumored features and changes planned for the iPhone with iOS 18. iOS 18 will reportedly be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history, with new ChatGPT-inspired generative AI features, a more customizable Home Screen, and much more....
top stories 27apr2024

Top Stories: Apple Announces 'Let Loose' Event With New iPads and More Expected

Saturday April 27, 2024 6:00 am PDT by
New iPads are coming, and Apple is holding a virtual event to introduce them! While it appears likely to be a relatively short video event, we should be seeing new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, some new accessories, and perhaps some additional surprises. Other Apple news and rumors this week included word that Apple is FINALLY planning to introduce a native Calculator app for the iPad later...