Apple (AAPL.O) customer service teams received a memo this week stating that the company will no longer replace out-of-warranty models, including Apple Watch Series 6. This decision comes as part of a broader move by the tech giant, which announced on Monday the temporary halt of sales for its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in the U.S. The pause is linked to an ongoing patent dispute concerning the technology responsible for the blood oxygen feature on these devices, rendering both models currently unavailable on Apple’s U.S. website.
According to a report by Bloomberg News on Thursday, the memo informed Apple’s customer service teams that if a customer presents an out-of-warranty issue, such as a broken screen, the company will no longer replace or repair the affected model. Instead, Apple will continue to offer assistance that can be addressed through software solutions, such as reinstalling the operating system.
This decision may impact users relying on Apple’s customer service for hardware-related issues, especially those with out-of-warranty Apple Watch Series 6 models. The move to suspend sales of certain smartwatch models and the subsequent restriction on hardware replacements underscore the broader challenges Apple faces in navigating patent disputes and maintaining customer service standards. As Apple adjusts its approach to address these issues, users and industry observers are likely to closely monitor any further developments and their implications for the company’s product support policies.
