The Apple Watch is no exception to the company’s reputation for high-quality construction. However, because it is a wearable device, it is subjected to harsher environments than other types of technology. What’s more, because of the design of the smartwatch, the glass display protrudes from the body, so it can undoubtedly break during everyday use.
Here’s what you need to know if your Apple Watch’s screen has cracked and you want to know how to get it fixed.
Repair by Apple
Initially, what you need to know is that the glass display that has cracked will not be repaired by Apple. Instead, they will send you a brand-new or refurbished unit. The older watch’s parts will be used to refurbish other watches.
Also, Apple Watches are not repaired or replaced in stores. For any necessary repairs, the units are sent to a licensed repair facility. Before sending your Apple Watch in for repair, regardless of who sends it, make sure to back it up. Your smartwatch will be sent by mail to an authorized repair center even if you take it to an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Apple Store. Even if Apple is aware that the Apple Watch unit will be replaced, this is still the case.
Because of this Apple Watch repairs can take longer than those for iPhones and MacBooks.
Cost of Repair
Getting a crack fixed by an authorized service center can be costly because display repairs are not covered by Apple’s standard warranty terms. An Apple Watch out-of-warranty repair costs between $299 and $800 in the United States, depending on whether the model of the watch is Ceramic or Titanium. The Apple Watch SE’s repair costs, which range from $219 to $249, are a little bit lower.
If you own the Apple Watch Ultra, anticipate additional costs for any repairs. Apple estimates that a battery replacement will set you back $99, while an out-of-warranty screen repair will set you back $499 before taxes. On the Apple Support page, you can get an estimate for the Apple Watch model you have.
It would make more sense to purchase a new Apple Watch and recycle your old one in many cases of out-of-warranty repairs. If your Apple Watch is particularly old, for a small additional fee, you can upgrade to a more recent model. Apple offers a 90-day service guarantee on all repairs, or until the end of your standard Apple warranty or AppleCare coverage.
Repair with a Third-Party Repair Center
A third-party service provider can fix your cracked Apple Watch screen if you want to. In contrast to Apple, these service providers will only replace the broken display of your wearable rather than the entire device. Their charges will be undeniably more sensible than what Apple asks for an out-of-warranty fix.
However, there aren’t many third-party repair shops that will replace your cracked Apple Watch’s display, which can be an issue. This is because the procedure of repair is significantly more difficult than other Apple products. Apple’s decision to replace rather than repair damaged Apple Watch units is partly due to this.
On the off chance that you find an outsider store close to you that can supplant your Apple Watch’s glass, there’s no assurance that its water-safe rating will not be compromised a short time later. Additionally, the store might not provide a high-quality replacement, which could in the long run result in additional issues with reliability.
Your best option would be to decide based on the repair shop’s Google reviews. At last, the possibilities getting an Apple Watch fix that will fulfill Apple’s quality guidelines from an outsider supplier are thin.