If you want to replace the screen of your Apple Watch, you will need to take it apart in order to replace the glass. The glass on the Apple Watch consists of an OLED display and a fused glass digitizer. The first thing you need to do is remove the battery. You can then replace the screen of the Apple Watch by following the instructions that come with the watch.
Ion-X glass
The Apple Watch sport uses a new hardened glass, called “Ion-X glass.” This glass is very similar to Corning Gorilla Glass, and is made to be scratch-resistant. While it may look like any other piece of glass, it’s actually a form of sapphire, a mineral with a Mohs hardness of nine. The test revealed that while sapphire is scratch-resistant, it’s not indestructible. The test included using a knife, a key, and steel wool.
The sapphire crystal and Ion-X glass used in Apple Watch displays are both extremely scratch-resistant and strong. Consumer Reports conducted a test on the hardness of these materials, and they found that Ion-X glass was the most scratch-resistant, although sapphire glass is slightly stronger.
Apple chose Ion-X glass over sapphire for the screen on the Apple Watch Sport. This material is harder to scratch, but it is also lighter and stronger. However, it’s not completely scratch-resistant and it is more likely to break during an impact. In addition to Ion-X glass, the Apple Watch Sport also has Sapphire Crystal screens.
The Ion-X glass on the Apple Watch Sport is also significantly stronger than sapphire, and this may be sufficient for most users in day-to-day use. This glass has much higher sensitivities than sapphire, making it the better choice for people concerned with scratches.
Apple Watch’s sapphire-like sapphire crystal has the same properties as ion-X glass, but sapphire is more expensive, harder to scratch and 67% heavier. Using a tempered glass screen protector can prevent scratching and prevent damage to the sapphire glass.
Although Apple Watch series 5 models are made of sapphire glass, the base models are still equipped with less rigid Ion-X glass. Sapphire screens are reserved for special edition models and LTE-capable models. Choosing an Ion-X replacement screen is a wise decision if you want to avoid costly repairs or replace a screen with a broken digitizer.
Apple Watch screen replacement kits can cost between $5 and $50. Do-it-yourself kits are cheaper but risky and can cause more damage to your watch. Also, DIY Apple Watch screen replacement may void your warranty and insurance. Inexperienced people may also find the replacement process difficult. The procedure for replacing an Apple Watch screen varies depending on model, but most are similar.
Apple claims that Apple Watch Sport’s sapphire glass screen is unbreakable, and it is the most durable glass available. The only downside is that the sapphire crystal is prone to scratches. In order to replace the screen on an Apple Watch, you should keep it safe from scratches by cleaning it regularly. It can be difficult to replace the glass if the sapphire is damaged, but it is not impossible to repair the unit.
Apple does not recommend cleaning your watch with abrasive products or polishing it with abrasives. Both actions may damage the coating and scratch the display. It is also advisable to use a screen protector to reduce the appearance of scratch marks and provide some protection against future damage.
Apple doesn’t cover the cost of replacing the Apple Watch screen. The replacement is much more expensive. If you are concerned about the price, you can consider purchasing AppleCare+. The service costs a small amount of money, and will provide you with peace of mind. Moreover, AppleCare+ covers the costs of repairs that are outside the warranty period.
Sapphire crystal
There are two types of crystal used to make Apple Watch screens: sapphire and mineral. Sapphire is stronger than mineral, and is coated with an anti-reflection coating (AR). Scratches on sapphire crystal are not easily polished out, and therefore must be replaced. However, mineral crystals are easier to maintain and replace when necessary.
While both types are tough, they are not created equal. The sapphire crystal is stronger than the Ion-X glass used in the Steel Edition, and can be more difficult to damage than the former. It also costs more. If you’re planning to replace the screen on your Apple Watch, make sure you know what kind of screen you want.
The sapphire glass screen is also more durable. This material will survive more falls than the Ion-X display. However, there are a few exceptions. For example, if you accidentally drop your Apple Watch 5 series on the floor, it will probably hit something. In that case, you’ll likely end up hitting the entire display instead of just the glass casing.
Apple uses sapphire screens in its stainless steel and titanium watches. A sapphire Apple Watch can cost upwards of $500. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 series has a sapphire screen. Sapphire is a hard material and is more scratch resistant than Gorilla Glass. This means it’s not possible to crack sapphire while using it.
Plastic crystals are a cheaper alternative. Sapphire is more durable, but is more expensive. A plastic crystal can scratch but is less likely to shatter. Despite their low cost, they can be repaired by using polishing machines. In most cases, though, the plastic crystal can only be polished.
Although Apple Watch screens are very sturdy, they can be scratched. Some models have sapphire crystal glass, while cheaper ones have aluminum and Ion-X glass. The cost of repairing a broken screen will depend on the type of glass and how badly it’s damaged. The cost varies from $50 for an acrylic glass to $200 for a sapphire crystal.