I have a Apple Watch Series 5 GPS only thats been at 80% for months but the battery life is horrible. Getting worse. Once it drops below 80, I plan to take it to Apple for a battery replacement. Do they replace the battery or give me a refurbished unit?
US standard is $0 if you have AppleCare+ and $79 if you don’t, across the full range, but only as far back as the S2.
Add an extra $10 if you want the replacement shipped back to, it’s free to collect it at an Apple Store.
They charge more the older the model is. I just did this, I don’t have Apple Care, and it cost me around 20,000 yen (I’m in Japan). Don’t be surprised if it costs you over $100.
You do get a whole new refurbished unit though, which is nice.
They will give you a refurb unit.
Probably you will get a refurbished Apple Watch with a new battery
You take it in, they check it for other damage besides the battery and if there is none then they accept it for battery service.
You do get a refurb, but this is an Apple refurb so while the internals may have been used before, the case will be completely new and I distinguishable from an off the shelf item.
Would they care about an inch long scratch on the screen?