What you have Apple Watch After using it for a long time, the battery life becomes less and less. Apart from the option of buying a new model directly, I thought about spending 3,190 yuan to replace the battery to keep the existing Apple Watch for a few more years. However, when I sent it home for repair, it turned into the latest Apple Watch Series 11. Can you believe it?
Recently, some netizens shared their real experience on PTT. Originally, they just sent Apple Watch Series 6 to replace the battery. In the end, due to the prolonged waiting time and stock shortage, the product was replaced. Apple Take the initiative to upgrade to the new Apple Watch Series 11, and even the original maintenance fee will be refunded, and the warranty will be recalculated. It sounds like a story about getting an SSR, but really not everyone has a chance. What happened? Who might have the same luck? Keep reading!
Apple Watch 6 becomes Apple Watch 11 after replacing the battery? Netizens earn a whole set of free upgrades
If you also feel that the battery of your Apple Watch is fully charged every morning when you go out, but almost reaches the bottom in the afternoon, it may mean that the battery health is really about the same. A certain netizen is here PTT iOS boardHe shared that the battery of the Apple Watch 6 he had worn for several years had declined to 73%. He usually maintained the appearance like new. He thought that he could continue to use it by spending 3,190 yuan to replace the battery. Unexpectedly, a “mysterious upgrade plot” was triggered as soon as he sent it for repair.
He went to the Apple Xinyi A13 direct store for repair in November. After inspection, it was confirmed that there was no damage to the appearance and the loss was limited to the battery, so it met the repair conditions for battery replacement. According to the process, the watch will be sent to the Singapore repair center for processing, which usually takes about one to two weeks.
▲Image source: Apple
But this time I waited for a month. During this period, because there was not enough inventory of new Apple Watch 6 machines, the maintenance department simply notified me to upgrade to Apple Watch 11 for free. The 3,190 yuan that was originally expected to be paid to replace the battery was waived due to the upgrade, which is equivalent to a free replacement of a brand new watch, and it also comes with a one-year warranty. Netizens themselves laughed and said that this repair trip became an unboxing day.
▲Image source: PeterHu0827 (PTT)
What’s even more amazing is that after the article was posted, another user left a message saying that he had encountered a similar experience. He sent the Apple Watch 5 for repair, had to wait for a long time, and was short of materials, and was finally replaced with a new model. This is not the first time this kind of incident has happened, so why on earth would Apple do this?
The logic behind Apple Watch repair: Replacement replaces repair
Apple Watch has a compact structure and waterproof packaging, and the battery cannot be removed on site like a mobile phone. The so-called battery replacement is actually recycling the old watch and replacing it with a brand new watch, so there is a phenomenon of insufficient inventory and upgrading and replacement. In other words, when the repair center has enough inventory, you will get a watch of the same generation; if there is not enough inventory of the old model and you don’t want to delay it for too long, there may be “upward compatibility” and you can directly replace it with a newer generation.
▲Image source: iFixit
This is not a guarantee, but a “lucky event” that happens. If you want to copy this lucky case, you don’t have to spend money to get a new watch, but you must meet the following 3 conditions:
1. Battery health needs to be lower than 80%
Only when the battery is below 80% is the battery maintenance plan met. Otherwise, the entire machine has to be replaced at a paid price. The price rises to over NT$9,000, and upgrading may not be cost-effective.
2. The appearance must be intact
Screen cracks, frame bruises, and sensor damage are not acceptable. They will be reclassified to other repair categories and the cost will become higher. If you want to preserve the value, there is really a difference between wearing a film and a case.
3. The models sent for repair are just between “low inventory but not completely discontinued”
Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch Series 6 are currently in the sweet zone, as they are both old and still in the supply chain. If the Apple Watch Series 3 or Apple Watch Series 4 you are wearing is too old, repairs may be refused; if the Apple Watch Series 9 or Apple Watch Series 10 is too new, the inventory is usually sufficient and will not be upgraded.
It seems that if the conditions are met, you will have the opportunity to upgrade, but in fact, it has to be out of stock, wait too long, or the repair center has authorized a replacement. If any of the missing items are missing, you may directly get a new machine of the same model, so this case can only be said to be “unfortunate.”
Is it worth replacing the battery? a simple suggestion
If the battery of your Watch 5 or Watch 6 is about to expire and it looks beautiful, you can get a completely new watch by spending 3,190 yuan to replace the battery. It is actually very cost-effective to wait for another two or three years. Don’t deliberately scratch or break your watch because you want to upgrade it. Instead, you will be judged to have to pay a high maintenance fee, and you will not have a better chance of upgrading if it is worn out.
So the safest mentality is: “It’s great to be able to upgrade, but it’s not a loss if you don’t upgrade.”
Conclusion
If you have a story about turning your Apple Watch into a new watch, it’s really worth sharing. If you’re planning to send it in for repair, I wish you luck in getting the upgrade Easter egg. But no matter what the result is, repairing and replacing batteries is still a practical way to extend life and is also friendly to your wallet. After all, a watch that can accompany you longer is the most practical upgrade.
Source: KOCPC Chinese