Apple Launches iPhone 8 Logic Board Repair Program

[beanbaguk]

Granted there are issues but Apple does play well with customers and replaces faulty items fairly easily.

One of the great things being in the EU is our 2 year warranty period and beyond this, we also have our Sales of Goods act which dictates items should last a reasonable lifetime which is technically up to 6 years in the UK.

However to the moaners, I would place a good bet that most of you never used an old PC with an early hard disk or early replaceable RAM. This stuff was hideously unreliable!!! The fact that nowadays we create hardware and software with the reliability that we have is incredible! People forget the very recent past all to easily....

 

[pmau]

The fact that nowadays we create hardware and software with the reliability that we have is incredible! People forget the very recent past all to easily....

You do not consider that there always has been reliable server-grade hardware that would last for years.
Today it is about consumer products with a replacement cycle of two years.
It’s cheaper to offer replacements because the production has already consumed resources.
You just hand over something you would produce anyways.

If yields were lower and reliability would need to be better, the whole product line and release cycle would look different.

 

[nt5672]

When I rapidly press my volume buttons, my iPhone 8 restarts. Its serial number isn't on the list for this program, though.

Guess you have to buy a newer version to get one that works (or I guess I should say has different fatal bugs that will never be fixed.)
[doublepost=1535896251][/doublepost]

You do not consider that there always has been reliable server-grade hardware that would last for years.
Today it is about consumer products with a replacement cycle of two years.
. . . .

Yep I've found older server grade hardware for free or almost nothing with lots of life left, and no thermal throttling. Server grade hardware is designed to handle the heat generated by running full out. All of my mini's are being replaced by used server grade hardware at lower cost and longer remaining life than anything Apple produces.

The only drawback is the heat generated by slightly less efficient CPUs, however I live far enough north that I have to run the heater 6+ months out of the year anyway, so the extra heat is not a big problem (or cost) except for maybe 10 or 20 days per year.

 

[AppleFan910]

Like when they said our gpu's are not affected when every single other companies are and are repairing or replaced with a upgraded version? Months later they finally admit it. Repaired mine and didn't notice the optical out no longer works and can't burn a DVD. But since I didn't notice within 30 days they wouldn't fix what they broke.
First iPhone only half of the screen would respond to touch one month after the warranty was up. IPhone 3gs same except it was the entire screen.

After that every single phone and laptop I've had still works to this day, which are not Apple products.

You’re talking about computers and 7-8+ year old iPhones??? I highly doubt apple would basically tell you to kick rocks over that. Did you deal directly with Apple? Or your cell provider??

Every issue I’ve had with my iPhones, wait.... I’ve never actually had an issue with my 4, 6, or 7 Plus. Millions of people buying iPhones because apples reputation for customer service.

There’s no such thing as a smartphone or computer that doesn’t have design flaws or manufacture issues. They come up once in awhile. But the way Apple handles it is they go above and beyond for customers.
Not so much for other smartphone manufacturers
[doublepost=1535905976][/doublepost]

That's awesome
[doublepost=1535845278][/doublepost]

Do you remember how log it took Apple to admit that the Nvidia graphics chips were faulty? How about the butterfly keyboards? "Touch Disease"? I could go on, but maybe you'll see the pattern here...

Right. And Samsung or any other smartphone manufacturer has never had any issues with their devices. They all roll off the line perfect with no issues!!!!

Please don’t get me started. There have been way more issues with other android OEMS, but you just don’t hear about it because it’s not on such a large scale as Apple. Apple sells so many iPhones and the competition or lack there of, don’t.
[doublepost=1535907257][/doublepost]

Excellent customer service isn't blaming the user for a design flaw (You're holding it wrong).

Excellent customer service isn't making the customer to feel like an idiot when Apple themselves knows it's Apple's fault (touch disease, intentionally slowing down iPhones).

Excellent customer service isn't claiming there's no issue with a keyboard, making customers pay for the repair and then admitting to their mistake by adding a thin layer of silicone the next model in hopes of fixing the issue when in reality it does nothing of the sort.

Shall I continue?

Lol. If apples customer service is bad, then whichever company you’re a fan of must be atrocious. There is no competition with Apples customer service/support. It’s not mass delusion on why they sell so many iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

You picked a handful of issues that Apple addressed and fixed. There is no such thing as a “perfect” smartphone, computer or tablet. Meaning no flaws, maybe a design issue they didn’t know about that comes up later. But the way they handle it and fix it is what keeps customers loyal to Apple.

 

[justperry]

Yep I've found older server grade hardware for free or almost nothing with lots of life left, and no thermal throttling. Server grade hardware is designed to handle the heat generated by running full out. All of my mini's are being replaced by used server grade hardware at lower cost and longer remaining life than anything Apple produces.

I read this part and it got me thinking, using a Mini at 5 Watts Idle or a server at what... 100+ Watts idle, but then came the....

The only drawback is the heat generated by slightly less efficient CPUs, however I live far enough north that I have to run the heater 6+ months out of the year anyway, so the extra heat is not a big problem (or cost) except for maybe 10 or 20 days per year.

...second part and you're good.

 

[evoga]

I purchased an iPhone 8 red a few weeks ago and I had constant freezing and other problems. I tried out the beta iOS 12 and still had the problems.

Purchased an iPhone X and now the problems have all disappeared. Also keeps open the apps in the background unlike the iPhone 8.

I hope they solve the problem for iPhone 8 users.

 

[4jasontv]

Well, that sucks for iPhone 8 owners. Apple had a full plate last year to scale though with 3 models. I didn’t buy my iPhone X until March of this year. It’s always best to wait out a bit.

I think you are basing this from a down time perspective, and from that angle your advice is good. Normally I’d say that’s what matters, but I’m not convinced it applies to all Apple hardware. Historically, Apple has been pretty good about replacing defects and since they typically don’t offer EOL discounts you get more value per device buy buying sooner rather than later. Assuming, of course, that you replace hardware before it fails.

 

[Woodcrest64]

Well, that sucks for iPhone 8 owners. Apple had a full plate last year to scale though with 3 models. I didn’t buy my iPhone X until March of this year. It’s always best to wait out a bit.

I just my iPhone X a month ago. I agree, best to wait until the kinks are ironed out.

 

[kjvmartin]

Correct. And Apple has the very best customer service and repair in the industry. Good of you to recognize.
[doublepost=1535752816][/doublepost]Very funny for those who try to cast this in a negative light. This is Apple taking care of it's customers. They do so better than any company in the industry.

Very best customer service keeps getting repeated, but it's one of those things that doesn't hold water like it used to.

I have had a terrible run in trying to get my MBP working right visit after visit, then they replaced it with a new one. With my new replacement: They had to send it out for a logic board and keyboard replacement. Wherever they sent it said there was nothing wrong with the logic board and returned it with a new keyboard. The store suggested sending it out immediately again for another week. I involved a manager who said they'd order the logic board for an overnight replacement done on site. It took about two weeks for the logic board to finally arrive. All the while I had to deal with graphic artifacts and flickering. Now the board is replaced. Due to transfer of the old policy, November 20, 2019 ends my AppleCare for this 2017 MBP. Genuinely nervous about it.

 

[macking104]

When I rapidly press my volume buttons, my iPhone 8 restarts. Its serial number isn't on the list for this program, though.

Isnt that the known method of force restarting the 8...

 

[Awesom-0]

You’re talking about computers and 7-8+ year old iPhones??? I highly doubt apple would basically tell you to kick rocks over that. Did you deal directly with Apple? Or your cell provider??

Every issue I’ve had with my iPhones, wait.... I’ve never actually had an issue with my 4, 6, or 7 Plus. Millions of people buying iPhones because apples reputation for customer service.

There’s no such thing as a smartphone or computer that doesn’t have design flaws or manufacture issues. They come up once in awhile. But the way Apple handles it is they go above and beyond for customers.
Not so much for other smartphone manufacturers
[doublepost=1535905976][/doublepost]
Right. And Samsung or any other smartphone manufacturer has never had any issues with their devices. They all roll off the line perfect with no issues!!!!

Please don’t get me started. There have been way more issues with other android OEMS, but you just don’t hear about it because it’s not on such a large scale as Apple. Apple sells so many iPhones and the competition or lack there of, don’t.
[doublepost=1535907257][/doublepost]
Lol. If apples customer service is bad, then whichever company you’re a fan of must be atrocious. There is no competition with Apples customer service/support. It’s not mass delusion on why they sell so many iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

You picked a handful of issues that Apple addressed and fixed. There is no such thing as a “perfect” smartphone, computer or tablet. Meaning no flaws, maybe a design issue they didn’t know about that comes up later. But the way they handle it and fix it is what keeps customers loyal to Apple.

Dealt with Apple because yes the GPU did fry on the mbp 1 month past the warranty and luckily they admitted that they were affected after most everyone else.

And I'm speaking from personal experience on my last Apple purchases where all of them failed.

And even then I was waiting for a Mac Pro refresh for the Nehalem architecture but 6 months after still no updated Mac Pro so I switched to windows and built my own.

Been waiting on a Mac Mini refresh since forever as well. I liked Osx, but this is insane.

I was just pointing out they wouldn't fix what they broke and not going to keep calling them over and over again hoping they change their mind or something.

I literally gave the mbp away after that. Was no guarantee the new gpu wouldn't die again and they would only replace it once.

If their customer service is so great I didn't see that. But good thing because it's likely needed.

Cant tell you about customer service on my computers or phones since then from other companies. Never needed it, oh I did have a WD hdd fail after 4 years under warranty. I didn't have to call anyone or setup an appointment. Sent it in and got another back in double the capacity free.

 

[Naraxus]

But the way they handle it and fix it is what keeps customers loyal to Apple.

Correction, Apple's lock-in strategy is what keeps people tied into the ecosystem and your assertion that Apple addressed those issues is laughable. The way they "handle it" and "fix it" is to blame everybody but Apple first and admit to their mistake later (if they ever do). Why do you think Apple's caved when people have brought lawsuit after lawsuit against them?

Those above are just some of the examples. Shall I cite more for you?

 

[Awesom-0]

Granted there are issues but Apple does play well with customers and replaces faulty items fairly easily.

One of the great things being in the EU is our 2 year warranty period and beyond this, we also have our Sales of Goods act which dictates items should last a reasonable lifetime which is technically up to 6 years in the UK.

However to the moaners, I would place a good bet that most of you never used an old PC with an early hard disk or early replaceable RAM. This stuff was hideously unreliable!!! The fact that nowadays we create hardware and software with the reliability that we have is incredible! People forget the very recent past all to easily....

I still have a working pentium 4, replaced hdd and gpu fan, have a pentium 75 still oddly enough everything still works on it, amd semprom with an actual ATI all in wonder that works in it (which it's not supposed to back then). That's what I still have around I know that works.

That's my oldest stuff I have access to, all works last I cared to check. Just had to keep fans and heatsinks cleaned and replace a hdd or fan once in a while.

Newer things I've had as far as issues are the same and redo thermal paste. Oh had a cooler master water cooler leak, first one they released. And no damage from it, went back to air cooling.

Being able to easily service your own things is nice it seems. Especially with things that often fail or just need cleaning.

 

[nt5672]

If Apple had to repair more of their own stuff, we'd have less glue and more screws.

 

[joueboy]

But Apple don’t fix logic board. They rather instead sell you a replacement iPhone or tell you to upgrade.

 

[AppleFan910]

Correction, Apple's lock-in strategy is what keeps people tied into the ecosystem and your assertion that Apple addressed those issues is laughable. The way they "handle it" and "fix it" is to blame everybody but Apple first and admit to their mistake later (if they ever do). Why do you think Apple's caved when people have brought lawsuit after lawsuit against them?

Those above are just some of the examples. Shall I cite more for you?

Lol oh yeah I bet you’re gonna quote me the latest class action lawsuit over throttling.

Total 76 defendants.

Lol. And Apple doesn’t “lock” anyone in. That’s like saying someone is forced to buy Apple? Really?
People invest in Apple because of the ecosystem. Mac, iPad, iPhone, watch..... seamless integration. All I’ve hear, is any issues with iPhones that Apple finds out about, they fix it. Offer discounted services, etc.
[doublepost=1535940571][/doublepost]

A useful link but still there will be people who praise Apple for fixing the issues rather than criticising them for making machines that don't work properly. They often call out other companies that have issues to dodge Apple's own and ignore the fact that Apple produces a very limited set of devices and still gets it wrong too often.

They call you a hater (as I have been today) for criticising. That's a typical Apple fanboy straw man but they know very little of the people they attack. We have many Apple devices and despite all the issues, I'd still really like an iMac and a new iPad Pro.
[doublepost=1535790973][/doublepost]

My mistake. I meant multitouch -

https://www.apple.com/uk/support/iphone6plus-multitouch/

I've seen this come and go on my own phone but I have NOT 'dropped multiple times on a hard surface and then incurring further stress on the device.'.

Said the anti-Apple fandroid posting Apple hate, on an Apple fan website.

‍♂️

 

[WarHeadz]

Is it ever not a 'small percentage'?

If it weren’t a “small percentage” people would catch on after a few generations and stop buying them. The vast majority of users have never had a defective iPhone.
[doublepost=1535941899][/doublepost]

But Apple don’t fix logic board. They rather instead sell you a replacement iPhone or tell you to upgrade.

They’re literally fixing the logic boards right now. That’s the whole topic of this thread.

 

[pratikindia]

When it's Apple's fault, they should replace it with a non defective one. It's not customer's fault. My 2011 MacBook Pro had a faulty GPU and it failed just after 2 years. Apple repaired it for free, but with the same faulty one which would fail after 2/3 years. You pay $3000 and your machine wold be a brick without your fault. That's what I don't like.

 

[charlituna]

I have an iPhone 7. Am I affected by this and should I go to the Apple Store right now to get my phone repaired?

no you should NOT go to the apple store to get your iPhone 7 fixed under a repair program for the iPhone 8
[doublepost=1535947607][/doublepost]

But Apple don’t fix logic board. They rather instead sell you a replacement iPhone or tell you to upgrade.

actually Apple has been doing logic board repairs on phones for a couple of years now. its just not done 'while you wait' in the stores because they can't be built to the needed requirements. so they are sent to a repair center and they will give you a loaner phone.

 

[Hater]

You give them a broken phone and give you a refurb.

your broken phone is then broken down into bits, has it's onboard memory flashed at a low level (new IEMI, serial etc) and then goes into a new chassis with a new battery and given to the next person as a refurb.

When it's Apple's fault, they should replace it with a non defective one. It's not customer's fault. My 2011 MacBook Pro had a faulty GPU and it failed just after 2 years. Apple repaired it for free, but with the same faulty one which would fail after 2/3 years. You pay $3000 and your machine wold be a brick without your fault. That's what I don't like.

They should have replaced the logic board with one that was non susceptible to the same fault. I know with the 2011's they just replaced the broken board with the same revision that was susceptible though, happened to me as well

 

[ckhris1613]

First I've heard of it. Of course, these things tend to get blown out of proportion.

Peoples phones are not working, yeah its blown out of proportion. Hopefully ur phone will screw up too.

 

[joeblow7777]

Peoples phones are not working, yeah its blown out of proportion. Hopefully ur phone will screw up too.

Wow. A bit touchy...
No need to make it personal and wish for my phone to fail!

Of course it’s a big deal to the small minority it affects, but that’s my point, these issues get a lot of attention in the tech community even though very few users are affected compared to the millions who are out there.

 

[Substance90]

The cynic in me says the "repair" program will be actually about just replacing logic boards with the exact same model with the exact same flaws.

 

[JackieInCo]

I purchased an iPhone 8 red a few weeks ago and I had constant freezing and other problems. I tried out the beta iOS 12 and still had the problems.

Purchased an iPhone X and now the problems have all disappeared. Also keeps open the apps in the background unlike the iPhone 8.

I hope they solve the problem for iPhone 8 users.

Supposedly, this problem only affected phones sold before April. I bought my 8+ in April 8 and have had no problems. Mine is factory unlocked.

 

[Ma2k5]

The cynic in me says the "repair" program will be actually about just replacing logic boards with the exact same model with the exact same flaws.

This is what Apple has done historically, but in this case, it seems like there was actually a dodgy batch rather than it affecting all models inherently.