Apple Watch issues
Author
Discussion

stanwan

Original Poster:

1,993 posts

257 months

Monday 9th September 2019
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Hi all, a bit of a rant...

I've owned an Apple Watch series 4 for about a month and it's developed an issue with the Screen being unresponsive to Force Touch and the battery running down rapidly (3 hours max life).

I did try and escalate this via Customer Services at the oxygen store - As soon as I mentioned I had been near water, they stated that the warranty was invalid and that the watch cannot be used near water, swimming etc. They seemed more interested in pushing the insurance even though I haven't used the watch for anything other that what Apple claim it is suitable for (running, light swim etc) and certainly no deep water activity. I don't think Centerparcs has anywhere I can get to 50m depth...

The CS agent kept emphasising that the watch is water resistant and not waterproof. I tried in vain to explain that there are no such thing as waterproof watches and that they are ISO rated to certain conditions. She also tried to imply that the damage wasn't truly accidental and may not be covered by the damage insurance either...

It's a complete farce!

Hashtaggggg

2,381 posts

100 months

Monday 9th September 2019
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did you follow the water procedure?

when I purchased mine I took the view that water could cause a problem so I take it off

stanwan

Original Poster:

1,993 posts

257 months

Monday 9th September 2019
quotequote all
Hashtaggggg said:
did you follow the water procedure?

when I purchased mine I took the view that water could cause a problem so I take it off
Every time. The literature suggests it doesn't increase sealing of the watch - it merely locks the screen and vibrates water out of the speakers - there are no active seals.

Even Diver's watches are not rated waterproof - apparently the term was dropped after1960....

Hashtaggggg

2,381 posts

100 months

tumble dryer

2,393 posts

158 months

Monday 9th September 2019
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The best explanation I've ever come across of what water resistant / waterproof actually means, as described by a watch designer, maker and real PH'r, Lorne.

https://marinechronometer.co.uk/index.php/technica...

stanwan

Original Poster:

1,993 posts

257 months

Monday 9th September 2019
quotequote all
tumble dryer said:
The best explanation I've ever come across of what water resistant / waterproof actually means, as described by a watch designer, maker and real PH'r, Lorne.

https://marinechronometer.co.uk/index.php/technica...
Thanks for the link - I've escalated a complaint with the oxygen shop. I'm annoyed at the misleading advice and their insistence on (falsely) claiming on insurance what I regard to be a product issue - it either works as claimed and advertised or it doesn't...

[http]https://www.apple.com/uk/apple-watch-series-4/workout[/http]

Jakg

4,062 posts

199 months

Monday 9th September 2019
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For reference I've recently started swimming and done about 10 sessions with my Series 3. Besides feeling a bit bizarre it still works fine!

It would be daft to sell a watch that even has a "swimming workout" and a "water mode" if you shouldn't use it in the water.

tim0409

5,975 posts

190 months

Tuesday 10th September 2019
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I have an Apple Watch 4 and use it to track swimming every other day; it's designed and sold to be waterproof and used for swimming so I'm not sure why you are getting the response. I take you bought it from O2? (I've never heard it been referred to as the Oxygen store before hence the question) - we don't you bypass them and contact Apple support and either send it in or make an appointment at an Apple Store; I'm sure they will replace it.

Jamesgt

851 posts

264 months

Tuesday 10th September 2019
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I have a first gen watch and swam with it a lot. No issues. I also have an iPhone XS which suffered water damage from a tiny amount of water. I took it to an Apple store and paid to swap it out. Agent told me he’s never seen a watch in for water damage. Anyway, none of that is useful to you. I’d just take it to another shop and hope they have no record of your conversation on file or you get lucky at the Genius Bar.

Jamesgt

851 posts

264 months

Tuesday 10th September 2019
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Oh, and I had a recent issue with battery drain. It seemed like the camera connection to the phone was still open. It could be a simple software issue with yours. When I reset my watch it made no difference, probably as I restored from backup. Battery issue started when I used the camera app on my phone. I opened the app up and closed it. Problem sorted.

stanwan

Original Poster:

1,993 posts

257 months

Friday 13th September 2019
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Jamesgt said:
Oh, and I had a recent issue with battery drain. It seemed like the camera connection to the phone was still open. It could be a simple software issue with yours. When I reset my watch it made no difference, probably as I restored from backup. Battery issue started when I used the camera app on my phone. I opened the app up and closed it. Problem sorted.
They tried a diagnostic at the apple store and the watch wouldn't respond at all. I also set it on flight mode the entire day with no use - it was almost out of charge after 8 hours.

O2 have also cemented their stance in an email following my complaint about after sales handling - they insist that the hardware cannot be used in any environment that could allow moisture to enter i.e. swimming, rain, excessive sweating etc. making it effectively useless!!!

Jakg

4,062 posts

199 months

Friday 13th September 2019
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stanwan said:
O2 have also cemented their stance in an email following my complaint about after sales handling - they insist that the hardware cannot be used in any environment that could allow moisture to enter i.e. swimming, rain, excessive sweating etc. making it effectively useless!!!
Apple themselves disagree - https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT205000

"Apple Watch Series 2, Apple Watch Series 3, and Apple Watch Series 4 may be used for shallow water activities like swimming in a pool or ocean"

ladderino

728 posts

170 months

Saturday 14th September 2019
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This sounds more like the retailer giving you the run around than anything else - I'd book an appointment at an Apple Store if you can and they should be able to assist.

I've used mine swimming many times without any issues. The waterproof mode is simply to lock the screen, and a sound is emitted when taking it out to clear and residual water in the speaker port.

Piginapoke

6,075 posts

216 months

Saturday 14th September 2019
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Swim and shower with my series 4 all the time- no problems at all.

ecsrobin

18,687 posts

196 months

Saturday 14th September 2019
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You really need to be dealing with Apple with this issue they are superb (Although like anything your attitude to them will impact their reaction to the problem).

stanwan

Original Poster:

1,993 posts

257 months

Sunday 15th September 2019
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ecsrobin said:
You really need to be dealing with Apple with this issue they are superb (Although like anything your attitude to them will impact their reaction to the problem).
The watch is with Apple Store - should hopefully have it back or a replacement in the next few days. I might even consider purchasing a series 5, but not via O2...