Apple Watch 3 Display ‘Edge Stripes’ Issue Acknowledged by Apple

According to an internal Apple memo obtained by the folks over at MacRumors, Apple has acknowledged that select Apple Watch Series 3 models with GPS have an issue causing “edge stripes” to appear on the display after time (as shown above). The memo, which has been distributed to Genius Bars and Apple Authorized Service Providers, says the issue should be treated like any other Apple Watch repair.

Since the issue appears to be a manufacturing defect, the repair should be free under Apple’s standard one-year limited warranty policy. Apple’s memo, obtained by MacRumors, identifies GPS models as being affected and not cellular models. The difference could be the result of LTE models having a different display assembly with an integrated antenna. 

In order to verify that the issue exists on a particular Apple Watch, Genius Bar and Apple Authorized Service Provider employees will ask the customers to rub their finger on the display to allow smearing to appear. In case no edge stripes are seen, Apple’s instructions are to clean the display and have the customer breathe on the display edge to create humidity. 

Although it sounds like the edge stripes may appear as a result of moisture collecting under the display, Apple’s memo does not confirm what the underlying issue is.

Have you noticed any edge stripes on your Apple Watch Series 3 display?