Good news for Apple Watch Series 2 owners: Apple has revised its service policy, introducing a clause that entitles 42mm variants to a free repair.
But there’s a (big) caveat: the gratis maintenance service is in place strictly for devices suffering from battery issues, according to a leaked internal document.
Apple specified in the memo that units unable to power on, or experiencing hardware defects, as a result of battery swelling are eligible for the free repair.
“A swollen battery can prevent an Apple Watch from switching on or cause the screen to separate from the unit’s frame,” notes digital outlet MacRumors.
It’s an issue that’s plagued Apple Watches ever since the introduction of the first model, known as the Apple Watch Series 1, back in April 2015 – three years ago.
The updated policy does not apply to the Apple Watch Series 1 or Series 3.
Eligibility is limited to 42mm-sized Apple Watch Series 2 models, including Edition, Hermès, Nike+ and Sport variants, pending a visual-mechanical inspection.
Related: iPhone X
“Apple has determined that under certain conditions, some Series 2 devices may not power on or they may experience an expanded battery,” wrote the firm.
“Apple will service eligible devices free of charge,” it added.
Customers have three years from the original date of purchase to take advantage of the free repair, after which they’ll have to pay for the service (£82.44 in the UK).
Will you be taking advantage of Apple’s revised service agreement? Let us know over on Facebook or Twitter @TrustedReviews.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.