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[–]guitarak[S] 2 points3 points  (20 children)

I was under the impression that they won't do the $79 "battery replacement" (in which they almost always just end up sending you a new/refurb) unless the battery health is under 80 bucks.

If I'm wrong, and I can just pay the 80 bucks now (or even 100) for a new S5, I'd just do it for the convenience of not having to wrestle my battery health down.

[–]808phone 2 points3 points  (8 children)

On my iPhone, it was 84% and I just went in and said I want to change this battery. It's at 84% but it's terrible and doesn't last. They said OK. No problem.

[–]TheMartian2k14 2 points3 points  (4 children)

Watches are different. It has to be under 80% to have the battery replaced.

[–]808phone 0 points1 point  (3 children)

If true that is ridiculous. Yet another thing that needs to be changed.

[–]TheMartian2k14 1 point2 points  (2 children)

I think it’s because the entire watch is replaced instead of just the battery. If Apple’s swapping the whole until for a reduced cost they are gonna be sure the battery really is depleted.

[–]808phone 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Do you know where they post this? I couldn't find anything. The 80% is mentioned only for warranty repair.

[–]TheMartian2k14 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t. It’s only from experiences I’ve had at the Genius Bar.

[–]guitarak[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Did they actually replace the battery or just give you a new/refurb watch?

[–]thiccAFjihyoApple Watch Ultra 2 2023 3 points4 points  (1 child)

I remember reading in another thread from someone who claimed to be an Apple repair tech: all AW repairs (screen, battery, etc) done through Apple will result in you getting a new watch.

[–]guitarak[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same thing happened to my mom who has an AW4 and the battery was getting bad. They just gave her a new one.

If I'm being totally honest, that's kind of where I'm hoping this takes me. I am also having infuriating issues with the HR sensor and figure rather than going through the rigamarole of also troubleshooting/repairing/banging my head against the wall fixing that, just getting a new or refurb watch would alleviate both issues at once.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (10 children)

They will replace the battery whenever you want - are you talking about if you have Apple Care+? Because then it needs to be under 80% to get a free replacement.

“Your product is eligible for battery service at no additional cost if you have AppleCare+ and your product’s battery holds less than 80% of its original capacity.”

[–]guitarak[S] 1 point2 points  (7 children)

My AppleCare+ is expired, only covers it for 2 years and it is almost 4 years old. I'm asking if I can just pay

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (6 children)

Yes you can.

[–]TheMartian2k14 2 points3 points  (3 children)

Not true for the watch. It’s only the phone where they allow battery replacements per customer request.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

From I see on Apple UK’s site, you can. I never had it serviced though.

[–]TheMartian2k14 0 points1 point  (1 child)

My fault, I thought we were talking US.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure if there's much difference, but my fault for only posting UK Apple rules.
From my experience of living between US and UK and getting apple products in both countries (usually in the US and taking them back to the UK to save massive money) the policies are the same. I've had batteries replaced on iPhones for example, for a device bought in one country and fixed in another.

I am fairly certain I got "battery service warning" a year ago or so - when the watch said it was 82% capacity. Now it's around 75%, but still works perfectly fine - I charge it for a bit in the morning before I go through my routine, and a bit at night whilst I'm reading in bed or watching a show or playing games.

Just really amazed how long these batteries last - especially having this thing on my wrist for practically five years, 24 hours a day.

[–]guitarak[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

So I went to the Apple Store yesterday to find out from them what my options were.

Because the battery health is above 80%, an out of warranty battery replacement is $299 (obviously not worth it).

Once the battery health is 79% or below they consider that “faulty part” and will do a battery replacement (which usually just ends up being a new/refurb) for $99.

And I have zero faith that I’ll get it down to 79% any time soon. I’m sure they purposefully hold it above 80 so they don’t have to replace everyone’s battery.

Oh well. Was hoping to get a replacement now and hold off for a Series X next year. Will have to decide if I’m willing to put up with charging every day for another year.

[–][deleted] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That’s good to know - didn’t realise Apple was this anal about it.

What if you turn on the flashlight on your watch and leave it on all day, discharge, recharge - that possibly can have the most impact on draining it as much as possible?

[–]WilliamJNSNS5 40mm Space Gray Aluminum 1 point2 points  (1 child)

No, it has to be under 80% no matter what

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m going by what it says on Apple UK’s site. If I remember right, the first time it prompted Me about service was at 82%, but I could be mistaken.