New in OS X: Get MacRumors Push Notifications on your Mac

Resubscribe Now Close

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

Monday May 6, 2019 10:15 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
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.


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 Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 5
Tag: GSX
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
[ 16 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

(View all)

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

Rating: 15 Votes
Avatar
jml12286
2 weeks 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
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
IRockThat828pScreen
2 weeks ago

I want my S4 watch replaced with an S0 :mad:

Care to explain why?
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
pdaholic
2 weeks 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.
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
Baerok
2 weeks 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.
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
jaredlipsitz
2 weeks 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?
Rating: 1 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]