Apple to Charge $279 for iPhone X Screen Repairs and $549 for Other Damage Outside of Warranty

[BondFancy]

Hmmmmm will be a tough decision. Personally never had an issue with my iPhone getting smashed, but I drop my phone a lot in a big bulky otterbox case. However, the 6s has neither a glass back nor wireless charging. Will using a bulky defender series render the wireless charging unusable (most likely yes)? If so, then apple payment plan will be the most likely option for me and a small sturdy case to allow for wireless charging.

Edit: Quick google says defender works with wireless charging. Time to wait for them to come out with the built in screen protection SKU. No AppleCare+ for me then.

 

[kemal]

This is an engineering and design epic failure.

 

[BigHonkingDeal]

If you buy the iPhone X without any type of insurance (Applecare or otherwise) I'd rather have you just give me your money, because you clearly have no problem just ****ing yourself over lol

Or... maybe know how to handle stuff with care. I probably bought 15 iPhones in the last 10 years between the wife & me, never had Apple care and only ones my wife cracked her screen.

Even if I have to pay $800.- for repair I would still be ahead.

 

[Olganech]

On the iPhone Upgrade plan, I pay an extra $90 to get an iPhone X. Since the phone is a month late, I've made 13, not 12, payments on the iPhone 7. So that's an extra $40. Then when the 2018 phones come around, I'll have made 11, not the minimum 12 payments to get a new phone. So they will tell me if I want to get the upgrade, I must make that 12th payment, $50. So in total, I'm out $90 I would not have been if the phone was not a month late.

You owed them that money anyway. They are just being nice to let you upgrade early anyway.

You do not own the phone until all payments are paid.

 

[macduke]

The back glass is fused to the metal frame around, so its replacing that whole piece taing the guts of the phone out.

But still, yes is is exorbitant when the 8 Plus with the same materials (per Apple's own keynote they mention that) is $399.

And before anyone says buh buh the parts are more expensive on the X; sure they are but you dont think Apple isn't repairing your broken phone and using it/selling it as a refurb? Apple isn't "losing" money after you pay them a few hundred bucks and using that device as a refurb by any means; even after repair costs. Probably making money on it in reality.

Well in that case it makes sense. I guess I was remembering back to the iPhone 4/4s, which required removing two screws, sliding the broken one out, sliding the new one in, and replacing the two screws. It literally takes about a minute to replace. Guess things are a lot more complicated nowadays with all the waterproofing.

I'll have AppleCare+ because I'm on the iPhone Upgrade Program, so I was thinking about not using a case because I love the look of the silver iPhone X with that stainless steel band. But now I'm worried about cracking the back. I also live kinda far from the nearest Apple Store, so there's a good chance I'd have to mail it in, which means I'd have to pay extra for a loaner iPhone X unless I want to get by on my wife's old iPhone 5 that is somewhere in storage.

 

[Glideslope]

But you wanted an iPhone X.

Yes. However, there are simply too many unknowns here. After iOS 11 and High Sierra quite honestly new Apple Tech concerns me these days. The 8+ is a fabulous device for those coming from a 6s or older.

If the X performs as intended I’ll definitely be in for Q4 2018. Not a chance before v.2

 

[grizzy]

Perhaps I’ll add AppleCare to my order. I’ve never purchased AppleCare before.

Apple exec 1 - "How can we make an additional $199 on top of the $1149 for the iPhone x?"

Apple exec 2 - "Just tell them this fragile item made of glass that they hold in their hand 365 days a year will now cost $250 to repair if they crack it."

Apple exec 1 - "Brilliant!"

 

[trifid]

So... who's going naked (no case) with the iPhone X?

 

[Puddled]

Is that $550 to replace a cracked back?

 

[stulaw11]

Is that $550 to replace a cracked back?

yup

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

It's too bad when buying an iPhone that the consumer has to make the same choices as when buying a high performance or luxury car -- "can I afford the repairs?". Welcome to the world of >$1000 phones.
[doublepost=1509117091][/doublepost]

Is that $550 to replace a cracked back?

What if you crack the back AND crack the screen at the same time? $550 or $830?

 

[Puddled]

yup

I have no idea why anyone would buy a phone which costs that much to fix a back panel. Thats insane.

 

[MisterMillz]

What the deuce, Apple? This is 14 types of crazy. First it was the phone itself, then rising AppleCare+ prices and now exorbitant figures for ow repair. Thought this would be the first year that I forgo AC+. Considering I was planning to hold onto this for 2+ years I guess I’m dropping another $199. I wish us apple customers would come together and vote with our wallets, but I know it won’t happen. Thus, my wallet is soon to be $1460 lighter lol

 

[RF9]

Or just buy a $30-$40 case.

Yup. Done. No guarantee but it helps 98%. Speck presidio clear.
The only time I busted a screen it was in a case with a tempered glass screen protector. Unlucky drop face down on the corner of a concrete step. 1% chandovong I guess
I also use a popsocket and never even drop it.

 

[Matthew.H]

It's too bad when buying an iPhone that the consumer has to make the same choices as when buying a high performance or luxury car -- "can I afford the repairs?". Welcome to the world of >$1000 phones.
[doublepost=1509117091][/doublepost]

What if you crack the back AND crack the screen at the same time? $550 or $830?

I would imagine a cracked back would just be a full device replacement so even if the front was cracked as well it will probably be $550.

 

[stulaw11]

I agree prob just the $550, they are swapping the device out at that point. They arent putting the guts of yours into a new shell in the back room.

 

[Niklas_nick]

Wrong.

For a BMW 2 Series: "So I called BMW in Memphis and they wanted to charge me 1,200$ in parts alone (glass + auto rain sensors + molding + glue kit + clips and spacers)...I didn't even find out how much the in house replacement service fee was after hearing that."

Im speaking of my local (German) prices and customs, where replacing a windshield on said BMW 5 series is about €390 at the large windshield repair chains (to be fair probably more at a BMW dealership. But again to be fair all german cars need to be insured in order to get registration, and most insurers take all or most of the repair costs for wind shields, even in the cheap contracts, so few people would have to actually pay more than €300 or most often €150).
iPhone X front repair is €321 and back is €611 here.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

I agree prob just the $550, they are swapping the device out at that point. They arent putting the guts of yours into a new shell in the back room.

But...but...I like my guts!

 

[ani4ani]

United Kingdom: £286 for screen repairs, £556 for other damage

So now Apple have moved away from dollar to pound which was bad enough, they are now suggesting that the exchange rate is so poor (inc VAT) that the cost is more for us UK folks than in dollars....ludicrous!

I know it's not hugely relevant and probably not a suitable solution for the majority here, but you can buy a brand new Galaxy S8 for £465 at the moment;. I know it is android etc, but it does put into perspective how ridiculous these repair prices are.

 

[canyonblue737]

well lets break it down...

$279 screen damage, $549 other damage
vs. paying $199 for AppleCare+ and if you have an issue $29 screen, $99 other

BUT... including the cost of AppleCare+ that means for your first damage you actually paid $228 for a screen, $398 for other damage... not that much of a difference vs. NOT buying AppleCare+.

IMHO AppleCare+ is only worth it if you think it is very likely you will have damage more than once in the one or two years you plan on owning the phone. I know I'm doomed now that I say this but I've now had 9 YEARS worth of iPhones BOTH for my wife and I and we have *never* had a damage claim. I'm sure it will happen but 9 years of NOT paying AppleCare buys a lot of fixes.

 

[ani4ani]

well lets break it down...

$279 screen damage, $549 other damage
vs. paying $199 for AppleCare+ and if you have an issue $29 screen, $99 other

BUT... including the cost of AppleCare+ that means for your first damage you actually paid $228 for a screen, $398 for other damage... not that much of a difference vs. NOT buying AppleCare+.

IMHO AppleCare+ is only worth it if you think it is very likely you will have damage more than once in the one or two years you plan on owning the phone. I know I'm doomed now that I say this but I've now had 9 YEARS worth of iPhones BOTH for my wife and I and we have *never* had a damage claim. I'm sure it will happen but 9 years of NOT paying AppleCare buys a lot of fixes.

This really puts it into perspective, i.e. insuring a device is supposed to be cheaper than repairing a device; Applecare basically is not the case and has never been.

 

[Puddled]

Honestly dont get how the tech community isnt on fire about the decision by apple to make the backs of the new iphones so difficult and expensive to repair. I dont understand why these things are not addressed by the reviewers (overviewers in reality) either.

Its nuts. Both from a design and user perspective.

These wont get fixed, outside of those dodgy downtown mobile phone repair shops with hooky parts. No one is going to spunk nr €700 to fix a smashed back. They will get a dbrand sticker on them and good luck.

 

[stulaw11]

well lets break it down...

$279 screen damage, $549 other damage
vs. paying $199 for AppleCare+ and if you have an issue $29 screen, $99 other

BUT... including the cost of AppleCare+ that means for your first damage you actually paid $228 for a screen, $398 for other damage... not that much of a difference vs. NOT buying AppleCare+.

IMHO AppleCare+ is only worth it if you think it is very likely you will have damage more than once in the one or two years you plan on owning the phone. I know I'm doomed now that I say this but I've now had 9 YEARS worth of iPhones BOTH for my wife and I and we have *never* had a damage claim. I'm sure it will happen but 9 years of NOT paying AppleCare buys a lot of fixes.

Right, but remember that is IF you keep the phone 2 years. Applecare can be cancelled after the 12 months and prorated, so you get 50% back or $99.50 minus the 10% cancellation charge of $9.95

Or if the 2018 devices are back on normal schedule in 11 months a bit more because you'll get back 13 months ($107.79 minus $10.78)

So you're really at worst only in for $110 plus $29 or $99

$140 is way less than $279 (half) and $210 is way way less than $550 (well under half).

any insurance in life is a gamble of never using it, but it seems like $110 isn't a huge gamble to lose.

 

[Will do good]

Buy your iphone with Citi credit card and your phone gets double manufacture warranty.

 

[ani4ani]

Right, but remember that is IF you keep the phone 2 years. Applecare can be cancelled after the 12 months and prorated, so you get 50% back or $99.50 minus the 10% cancellation charge of $9.95

Or if the 2018 devices are back on normal schedule in 11 months a bit more because you'll get back 13 months ($107.79 minus $10.78)

So you're really at worst only in for $110 plus $29 or $99

$140 is way less than $279 (half) and $210 is way way less than $550 (well under half).

any insurance in life is a gamble of never using it, but it seems like $110 isn't a huge gamble to lose.

Not sure what your suggesting here....make sure you drop your phone in the first year? or if you don't have Applecare in the second year, it costs half as much?