Apple Still Charging Customers Over $300 for iPhone 7 Microphone Defect Despite Previously Offering Free Repairs

[mrex]

I cant speak to the specific defect in this case. I am speaking generally to people who VOLUNTARILY CHOOSE TO NOT BUY EXTENDED WARRANTIES... and then complain when it has issues out of warranty.

eh, heh heh!! what a joke - are you serious? apple doesnt sell extended warranty (applecare) for iphones here where i live in europe - they never have sold, only for ipad, atv, macs and aw, but not for iphone.

 

[gavroche]

eh, heh heh!! what a joke - are you serious? apple doesnt sell extended warranty (applecare) for iphones here where i live in europe - they never have sold, only for ipad, atv, macs and aw, but not for iphone.

Don't ridicule my point as a joke because Apple doesn't sell a particular Warr nty on a particular jurisdiction. My point doesn't change, and is obviously a generalization not intended to cover every location and situation. you people amaze me... completely unable to see a point if it doesn't fit your exact factual situation.

 

[C DM]

Don't ridicule my point as a joke because Apple doesn't sell a particular Warr nty on a particular jurisdiction. My point doesn't change, and is obviously a generalization not intended to cover every location and situation. you people amaze me... completely unable to see a point if it doesn't fit your exact factual situation.

Might be that it doesn't quite fit all of this.

 

[ksec]

They sure should. You should see Canada's pricing from Apple. think Exchange + 5% across the board. Problem is, Canadians don't on average make 35% more than Americans (very similar cost of living and mean incomes). Yet Apple thinks they can use the exchange rate to prop up foreign margin rates in their US$ accounting.

we tend to talk a lot about Apple's prices as being high, even in US$. But the CAD pricing is pushing themselves out of the market.

That new $1100 MBA? $1,499 CAD
the iPhone Xs at 999? $1,379 CAD
iPad Pro at $799?, nope, actually $999 CAD
MacBook Pro 13 at 1,299? Nope, actually 1,729.. also, same price for the MacBook

then when you tack on 13% sales tax on top, then any extended warranties like Applecare, you're not walking out the door without spending 1500-2000 on the lowest end Apple offers.

Apple's international pricing is a mess.

I just wanted to add, actually I don't mind the US + Exchange rate pricing, so long as we get the same product and services as we do in US. But that is not the case. Maps is only ever good in US, Apple Watch ECG only in US. Apple Cash, Apple News, Apple Store Services Level, the list goes on and on. To make things worst US services level are dropping as well.

 

[The Game 161]

Neee to get you upgrade to a new phone

 

[Mhd0207]

This is the next bendgate thing. Apple knows this is a design flaw, yet they charge customers for it. The only reason they stopped the free repairs after 2 months is because they realised it wasn't a software bug after all and they know they will lose a lot of money if they keep replacing these phones for free. Took mine with the same issue 3 days ago to the Apple Store and the employee at the apple store admitted that but said he couldnt do a thing. I started a discussion group on the Apple website, but strangely enough everyone who answers in my discussion group and mentions 'loop disease' or 'hardware fault' gets there reaction deleted by the apple community admins. Looks like Apple doesn't want this to get spread. So done with this company.

 

[Gilligan's last elephant]

I started a discussion group on the Apple website, but strangely enough everyone who answers in my discussion group and mentions 'loop disease' or 'hardware fault' gets there reaction deleted by the apple community admins. Looks like Apple doesn't want this to get spread. So done with this company.

1984 got here eventually. Just a bit late

 

[mrex]

It's worth noting that a few customers have managed to argue their way to a free repair, but this is not the common result.

Apple has a track record of great customer service...

ehm... a great customer service when every customers arent treated equally?? some gets some dont - how? some who is good looking get a service, bad looking dont? i would rather call it ”a bad customer service that shouldnt exist”. every customers should be treated equally.

 

[Amcbain17]

This is the next bendgate thing. Apple knows this is a design flaw, yet they charge customers for it. The only reason they stopped the free repairs after 2 months is because they realised it wasn't a software bug after all and they know they will lose a lot of money if they keep replacing these phones for free. Took mine with the same issue 3 days ago to the Apple Store and the employee at the apple store admitted that but said he couldnt do a thing. I started a discussion group on the Apple website, but strangely enough everyone who answers in my discussion group and mentions 'loop disease' or 'hardware fault' gets there reaction deleted by the apple community admins. Looks like Apple doesn't want this to get spread. So done with this company.

They have gone out of their way to delete all of my posts and comments involving this issue. They even went as far as banning me for a month for talking about it. Check out this petition:
https://www.change.org/p/apple-tell...ty-to-downgrade-ios-software-on-apple-devices

 

[embryo]

My son is having this issue with his iPhone 7 as well. It was already replaced once while under warranty for a separate issue. Since this one is out of warranty they won't replace it. They offered to sell me a new/refurbished one, but I refused. I have reported this problem to the Better Business Bureau to get the standard "you are not under warranty" response from Apple. I "appealed" and got the same response, and then BBB said sorry, we can't do anything. I also reported the issue to my State Attorney General to get the same response from Apple. You should all do the same, if only to annoy Apple and make them take the time to respond to you. And perhaps the BBB would see the issue and make Apple do something. Regardless, Apple has really disappointed me, but I am basically tethered to their product line, so... Luckily my son doesn't really talk the phone, haha. He will need to soon, however, so I guess I am stuck buying one of their new stupid expensive phones.

 

[mtneer]

<....>
It's worth noting that a few customers have managed to argue their way to a free repair, but this is not the common result.
Apple has a track record of great customer service,<...>

Oh the irony..... I cant believe the editor let this go!

 

[C DM]

Oh the irony..... I cant believe the editor let this go!

And then there's the whole part there:

"It's worth noting that a few customers have managed to argue their way to a free repair, but this is not the common result.

Apple has a track record of great customer service, and it offers several different public repair programs for hardware issues on various products, but it appears to be leaving customers in the dust here for reasons unclear. We'd love to hear Apple's side of the situation if the company chooses to respond."

 

[melsuejoe]

They have gone out of their way to delete all of my posts and comments involving this issue. They even went as far as banning me for a month for talking about it. Check out this petition:
https://www.change.org/p/apple-tell...ty-to-downgrade-ios-software-on-apple-devices

Alex, I don't think that this is a software issue. I've read up on it and it's apparently an audio IC problem (that has been dubbed "loop disease"). Nonetheless, Apple is failing to acknowledge a hardware issue on the motherboard. I have written on their developer's feedback page and plan to write a letter, a HAND WRITTEN LETTER, to their corporate offices. This is ridiculous.

This is the next bendgate thing. Apple knows this is a design flaw, yet they charge customers for it. The only reason they stopped the free repairs after 2 months is because they realised it wasn't a software bug after all and they know they will lose a lot of money if they keep replacing these phones for free. Took mine with the same issue 3 days ago to the Apple Store and the employee at the apple store admitted that but said he couldnt do a thing. I started a discussion group on the Apple website, but strangely enough everyone who answers in my discussion group and mentions 'loop disease' or 'hardware fault' gets there reaction deleted by the apple community admins. Looks like Apple doesn't want this to get spread. So done with this company.

Is there no way to collect names of users that this has affected and go to their corporate offices with the list?!
[doublepost=1550656963][/doublepost]

My son is having this issue with his iPhone 7 as well. It was already replaced once while under warranty for a separate issue. Since this one is out of warranty they won't replace it. They offered to sell me a new/refurbished one, but I refused. I have reported this problem to the Better Business Bureau to get the standard "you are not under warranty" response from Apple. I "appealed" and got the same response, and then BBB said sorry, we can't do anything. I also reported the issue to my State Attorney General to get the same response from Apple. You should all do the same, if only to annoy Apple and make them take the time to respond to you. And perhaps the BBB would see the issue and make Apple do something. Regardless, Apple has really disappointed me, but I am basically tethered to their product line, so... Luckily my son doesn't really talk the phone, haha. He will need to soon, however, so I guess I am stuck buying one of their new stupid expensive phones.

Isn't there a way for us to ban together to cause more waves? I think they need to see that this is a problem that is affecting thousands of users!! I was told to write a HAND WRITTEN LETTER to their corporate offices and to write to their developers (but I doubt I'll get a reply for either of them). We need to do something as a collective group for something that is a physical defect with the audio IC and motherboard of these versions...
[doublepost=1550659958][/doublepost]

What does that have to do with something that is basically along the lines of a design defect or a manufacturing flaw?

gavroche doesn't see it has a manufacturer's flaw, but it obviously is if it is affecting a large amount of users. I am looking into starting a class action suit for this loop disease...
[doublepost=1550660081][/doublepost]

I just feel there is a lot of bellyaching over a phone. It’s life, and I accept that all electronics are bound to fail sooner rather than later. I’ve been an Apple customer most of my life, and have mostly positive experiences.

If we don’t like Apple’s build quality or service, let’s switch to another brand and vote with our wallets. All of the complaining, blog posts, and class action lawsuits in the world will ever mean more than falling sales.

Also, a recall on a vehicle is different, because that’s a safety concern.

Honestly, many Apple users are going to switch devices (most probably me, too)... and they couldn't give a rat tush.
[doublepost=1550660118][/doublepost]

And with all that there are still such things as manufacturer defects or design flaws that do get recalls (even beyond safety) or some type of repair programs. It's not all just one extreme or another, there's plenty in-between as well.

Yup, 1000000000% correct

 

[dbassy]

This is not an OS problem. It is hardware, and requires the U3101 audio IC to be replaced along with a C12 jumper. I know, because the company I work for does them every single day, regardless of OS. If it was an OS issue, a fix could be issued, but it's not.

The only solution is to replace the IC and do the jumper to ensure it doesn't happen again. Apple do not have the ability to do this quickly and at large scale, so they would rather overcharge the customer than admit the real fault which would cause them to be sued.

Hi HacKage

I’m from Australia. What kind of store would be able to repair “U3101 audio IC” is this something you could DIY?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ilikewhey]

Hi HacKage

I’m from Australia. What kind of store would be able to repair “U3101 audio IC” is this something you could DIY?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

DIY not recommend it, good chance you need one of these microscope and a soldering tool with FLUX. its best you take it to a non apple repair shop cause if its an apple authorized they cannot fix it, apple's policy force them to follow the same policy as apple store.

 

[dbassy]

DIY not recommend it, good chance you need one of these microscope and a soldering tool with FLUX. its best you take it to a non apple repair shop cause if its an apple authorized they cannot fix it, apple's policy force them to follow the same policy as apple store.

Thanks for your feedback. How much could you expect to pay for a non apple repair shop to fix it?

 

[ilikewhey]

Thanks for your feedback. How much could you expect to pay for a non apple repair shop to fix it?

i actually helped my friend with her iphone 7 that won't charge, the chip that responsible for charging was fried and apple was gonna charge her 350 for replacement, the tech repair shop analysized it under the microscope and found that chip was responsible, so he desoldered the chip and replaced it, 30 dollars, 50 dollars for the service, so in total 80 before tax. took him 30 mins, would've been quicker if he didn't have other things to do.

 

[kingwest]

Got mine replaced around September in Toronto.
They did run a couple of tests, showed Mic failure and initially were going to charge me but ended up being free.

Which location did you went to?

 

[Ungibbed]

I’m rather surprised that I didn’t see this before. Then again, I didn’t use my iPhone 7 very long. It was a temporary device and kept as a backup phone for my family should any phone get broken or lost.

It still works great last time I updated it to iOS 13.3 with no issues.