Apple Now Able to Repair an iPhone 12 Pro's Cracked Rear Glass Without Replacing the Entire Device

[MacRumors]

Last month, MacRumors reported that Apple was introducing a new same-unit repair method for iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 models exhibiting certain issues that would typically require a whole-unit replacement. Now, we've learned that Apple has extended these same-unit repairs to the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Image Credit: EverythingApplePro​

Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers have access to a new "iPhone Rear System" part that is essentially an iPhone enclosure that includes all components except the display and rear camera. As of this week, this part is available for all four iPhone 12 models, according to an Apple memo obtained by MacRumors.

If a customer has an iPhone 12 Pro with cracked rear glass, for example, an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider is able to replace the entire rear portion of the device with the iPhone Rear System part, while retaining the customer's original display and rear camera. For this reason, the iPhone's display and rear camera must be free of damage or issues in order for the device to qualify for a same-unit repair.

iPhone 12 models may be eligible for a same-unit repair if they are unable to be powered on, or are experiencing issues with the logic board, Face ID system, or the enclosure of the device, such as cracked rear glass, according to Apple. The new repair method is said to be available in all countries and regions where iPhone 12 models are sold.

In its memo, Apple reiterated that this move supports the company's ongoing commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of every product it sells.

Article Link: Apple Now Able to Repair an iPhone 12 Pro's Cracked Rear Glass Without Replacing the Entire Device

 

[Jaro65]

Good. No need to replace the entire device if the only damaged part is the rear glass cover.

 

[dannyyankou]

Makes sense. You don’t get a new car if your muffler is broken.

 

[Metrosey]

That’s great, cheaper repairs then. Have they updated the website with the new prices yet?

 

[Brian Y]

About time. Shipping (and charging for) a whole new device is utterly ridiculous for something that can be easily repaired.

This has been going on far too long - especially with iPads. Back when I worked at the apple store I remember having to swap out and charge full-unit refurb prices for stupid stuff, like a blown speaker.

The horrible thing was I knew, deep down, that Apple would just take that unit back, swap out the speaker/casing, and send it back out as a refurb at full price, so instead of charging someone £10 for a speaker, they were basically buying a refurbished iPad.

 

[jk1221]

Makes sense. You don’t get a new car if your muffler is broken.

Stil costs more than a muffler.

The price is still a ripoff. Especially when they get all of the parts back. A few dollars of new glass and some employee time and repaying equipment cost; I get the economics of cost.

Surely not $550-600 worth though (and why the regular 12 is only $450 is odd- glass is glass and they get the internals back . It doesn't cost less in work).

$199, $250, and $299 across the line would STILL be more than fair for both sides. It should be half the cost that it is realistically.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Yay! This is very good. Now, lets get to scrubbing and nit picking shattered pieces of the frosted glass.

 

[ouimetnick]

Makes sense. You don’t get a new car if your muffler is broken.

No, you just need a new engine, transmission, suspension and chassis/frame. Hood, wheels, steering wheel, and seats swap right over though.

This won’t do much to reduce any carbon footprint.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Good for them. Hopefully any reasonable person just goes to a local shop for $100 instead of this $400-$600 robbery. And the local shop still has a lower carbon footprint than this new process.

 

[Jamalien]

Will they reduce the price corresponsingly. Ofc not. Also, why can't the repair technician swap out the logic board, the second most expensive component after the screen.


They've even designed it to be easy; unclipping more ribbon connectors and 3 screws surely isn't that much bother, especially when you're already asking a technician to go in to unclip & reroute all the rear camera ribbons, right?

 

[EricNau]

It sounds like they’re still replacing everything but the screen and camera. That might as well be the entire device, no?

When the back of my iPhone X cracked, I had to get the entire device replaced. Had they said, “but we can swap-in your old screen on this new device” would I have said yes? I don’t think so.

Maybe this is slightly better for the environment? But not nearly as good compared to replacing only the back glass, were that made possible.

 

[JMStearnsX2]

I would not call replacing the logic board "same unit repair", this sounds like it is just short of replacing everything anyway.

 

[Populus]

This is a good move, and a needed one if you ask me.
Now I wanna see those fees 🙃

If it's not too expensive (on the range of 49-99$) I might be brave enough to carry my next iPhone 12S/13/14 without a case.

 

[EricNau]

No, you just need a new engine, transmission and suspension. Hood, wheels, and seats swap right over though.

This won’t do much to reduce any carbon footprint.

Exactly. I don’t think Apple deserves any praise for this. If anything, it shows an ongoing commitment against repairability.

The headlines feel misleading too.

 

[Slainor]

Wow such Innovation.

 

[JulienBerthelot]

This is a good move, and a needed one if you ask me.
Now I wanna see those fees 🙃

If it's not too expensive (on the range of 49-99$) I might be brave enough to carry my next iPhone 12S/13/14 without a case.

They’re replacing everything except the screen and camera… I can assure you it’ll be like 50$ cheaper than before…

 

[Maconplasma]

Exactly. I don’t think Apple deserves any praise for this. If anything, it shows an ongoing commitment against repairability.

The headlines feel misleading too.

I don't think anyone here is saying Apple deserves praise but the fact that they are replacing only the damaged screen makes it easier for the customer so they don't have to go through the trouble of setting up a new phone.

 

[Akela_A]

Great to see they're trying to solve a problem they created in the first place.

If Apple moved back to an aluminium backplate like the iPhone 5, would anyone really complain? The slate black color was gorgeous. Yes wireless charging is an issue, but I'm sure a company the size of Apple could figure something out.

 

[Maconplasma]

Wow such Innovation.

I would say with the invention of the M1 that's 5 years of innovation right there and I haven't seen any other phone company put out anything innovative in the past 5 years over Apple replacing the iPhone glass. 🙄

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

From the photo, it literally looks like it got thrown at the ground from 100 feet, then ran over by a car.

 

[Populus]

They’re replacing everything except the screen and camera… I can assure you it’ll be like 50$ cheaper than before…

WHAT?? Oh my god this is not what I was expecting.

 

[joecomo]

This "repair" obviously means - replacing the whole phone except for the front-display and the camera unit.
Still strange, that they cannot just get a new glass cover for the back.

 

[redboxcar]

I'm curious if it'll still be the $99 charge under Apple Care (compared to the $29 front screen replacement). Have they stated the price?

 

[EricNau]

I don't think anyone here is saying Apple deserves praise but the fact that they are replacing only the damaged screen makes it easier for the customer so they don't have to go through the trouble of setting up a new phone.

You do though. You have to set it up as a new phone, because all the internals are new, despite only needing a new back.

So same hassle as a new phone, but now you don't get a new screen or camera.

 

[iMacDragon]

Great to see they're trying to solve a problem they created in the first place.

If Apple moved back to an aluminium backplate like the iPhone 5, would anyone really complain? The slate black color was gorgeous. Yes wireless charging is an issue, but I'm sure a company the size of Apple could figure something out.

I'm not sure what feat of physics they could work, inductive charging just isn't going to work effectively through a metal layer ( much as I would prefer metal back for durability in many ways )