Today as I was rebuilding my home after the devastation that Sandy caused, my i5 slipped out of my pocket and was left with 1 hairline crack going diagonally across the entire screen. I made an appointment at my local Genius Bar and went right away. I do not have AppleCare+. They told me that since it was a hairline crack it was covered under Apple Warranty. If it had been a spider crack then I would've had to pay for a new phone. I also asked about the new i5 I would be receiving and he said that it was brand new and NOT refurbished. So basically, I walked out of the Apple Store with a brand new replacement iPhone 5 free of charge.
Is this the usual protocol? I thought any sort of damage, especially without applecare, would incur a fee?
Is this the usual protocol? I thought any sort of damage, especially without applecare, would incur a fee?