Apple Watch Series 9 and 6 failed after swimming with battery issues

jeroenB68 wrote:

Tnx for replying, indeed no AppleCare.. so no 'conditions of waranty' as it outside the 2years (EU) because for a US firm things like 'Reasonableness and equitableness' are often not part of their strategy.

Call me naive in trusting a company if they affirm its swimming options (and put an asking price to match it).

Apple says https://support.apple.com/en-us/109522

"Your Apple Watch is water resistant, but not waterproof. For example, you can wear and use your Apple Watch during activities such as ... walking in rain, and washing your hands. With Apple Watch Ultra, you can also participate in high-speed water sports and recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters."

Note the "water resistance" versus "water proof."

"Apple Watch Series 2 and later can be used for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or ocean, but you shouldn't use models other than Apple Watch Ultra or later for diving, water skiing, or other activities involving submersion below shallow depth"

The following may bear directly on your experiences:

"Water resistance isn't a permanent condition and can diminish over time. Apple Watch can't be rechecked or resealed for water resistance."

So Apple has warned the watches are not water proof and that long term, water resistance can diminish.

But with the second dead exactly around the same 2 year mark, in similar ways...

Sounds like that is about how long it took for the water seals to wear out. Apple also warns that exposure to a wide range of chemicals and substances can degrade the water resistance. Some pools have a variety of chemicals in them. But chlorine is well known for causing degradation of rubber gaskets that are used for water resistance. If you swim in pools with chlorine (or similar chemicals), the water resistance from watch gaskets will degrade more rapidly.

More info in: https://paul-rich.com/blogs/news/watch-water-resistance-explained?srsltid=AYCX9vKFMyShpuDxTd2-j_Jt1wmI09ALejYqKlUtgq_BFHjCiryN27qN

Because of this, I have never used my Apple watch (Series 11) for water activities, nor do I wear it in the shower, where in addition there is soap, shampoo, etc. I also take care to avoid having the watch exposed to lotions, sunblock, etc. These all degrade the seals.

Apple doesn't provide an exact time line but I would think regular use of an Apple watch for swimming might work for 2-3 years at best before the seals degrade. Many people plan to replace the watch at that interval anyway so for them this might not be an issue.

If you just want to measure the time to swim a certain distance (or a certain number of laps in a pool), I use inexpensive digital wrist watches (the Ironman is one model) for that, not the delicate smart watch. Those inexpensive digital watches cost $20-$50 and are much more rugged. I have never had one fail due to use in water and in fact they tend to need replacement when the battery runs out, after several years. I have replaced the batteries myself but it is very intricate and time consuming so I usually just obtain a new cheap digital watch at that point.

I would not go swimming with Watch unless I had AppleCare+

LD150 wrote:

Yes I never let mine get wet at all.

However I feel for the OP because Apple provide a swimming Workout - so they should be waterproof, yet you and I know Apple speaks with forked tongue on the subject.

I agree, Apple should not encourage use for swimming without warning more about degradation of seals over time. I do understand why no timeline for seal degradation is posted or documented because then people would depend on that when in fact there are many other variables in how the watch is used that factor in.

steve626 wrote:

I agree, Apple should not encourage use for swimming without warning more about degradation of seals over time.

Degradation of seals over time? I still swim with my Casio, bought 30 years ago. I changed the seal at the last battery change but it ran for over 20 years before that without the seals degrading. Apple should be encouraged to talk to Casio.

Tnx for replying, indeed no AppleCare.. so no 'conditions of waranty' as it outside the 2years (EU) because for a US firm things like 'Reasonableness and equitableness' are often not part of their strategy.

Call me naive in trusting a company if they affirm its swimming options (and put an asking price to match it).

And OK, when one Watch fails, that can happen,.. took my loss. But with the second dead exactly around the same 2 year mark, in similar ways... ough! That says something about either a false claim or lack of quality in my (old-fashioned/naive?) world...

jeroenB68 wrote:

...

And OK, when one Watch fails, that can happen,.. took my loss. But with the second dead exactly around the same 2 year mark, in similar ways... ough! That says something about either a false claim or lack of quality in my (old-fashioned/naive?) world...

or you are the common factor in the way you use it.

Yes I never let mine get wet at all.

However I feel for the OP because Apple provide a swimming Workout - so they should be waterproof, yet you and I know Apple speaks with forked tongue on the subject.

After modest swim practises in a normal pool - again no diving etc - and buying 'the most adviced' Watch for it, also according to most websites.. incl NYT, not getting any condescension of the shrugging helpdesk millennials after they examined a second melted Watch (roughly $700 total), at least one or two understanding reactions are much appreciated, so thank you!! ... Instead of getting a lecture of Apple-bots or worshippers, that I am stupid and should be aware of a fact in the small sections (differences of waterproof vs resistant etc.) which is not very well communicated, especially because it features a swimming-app... So again thanks for understanding