Cracked my 4S; have Applecare. What to do?

[Maui19]

Today I dropped my (16g) 4S, and the back cracked. I have a screen protector on the back, so the damage is mostly cosmetic. I am due for an upgrade with ATT, so I was planning to trade this in for a 5S, thinking I would get the 5S for almost nothing due to the trade in credit. Now that the case is broken, I won't get nearly that much on the trade.

As far as I can tell, my options are:

1) Live with the phone as is

2) Pay $79 for the repair via Applecare and keep it

3) Pay $79 for the repair via Applecare and trade it in

4) Trade it in for a 5S as is (anyone have any idea what it's worth now?)

The 4S is really all the phone I need, but it would be nice to have a faster phone, fingerprint thingy and better camera.

Whaddya think?

 

[jaseone]

It should only be $49 for the replacement under AppleCare+ for a 4S unless you bought it just before or after the launch of the 5S, which I doubt.

I have a suspicion that they pay much less for a trade in if you've had a replacement under AppleCare+ as my 5 that I replaced once under AppleCare+ was only quoted $253 where my wife's 4S was $220, both in great condition. With that in mind I would get the 4S replaced/fixed under AppleCare+ and then either keep it or sell it and pay the full upgrade cost for the 5S.

EDIT: Was my 5 quoted at $253 not 5S

 

[freediverdude]

Option 5. Get it replaced for $49 under Applecare+ and sell it to a third party for $200+, then go get a 5S.

 

[T5BRICK]

I'm guessing that since the OP didn't say anything about Applecare+, they don't have it.

Either have it fixed and trade it in, or don't. Depends on what the quoted trade in prices are for a cracked vs non-cracked back.

 

[ucfgrad93]

The back on the 4/4S is easy enough to replace on your own. If you don't have Apple Care + then I would suggest this kit.

http://www.ifixit.com/iPhone-Parts/iPhone-4S-Rear-Glass-Panel/IF115-003

 

[Givmeabrek]

Apple will replace the 4S back for about $29. Simple to do.

 

[big samm]

Apple will replace the 4S back for about $29. Simple to do.

This ^

 

[CrAkD]

the 4s back is so easy to replace just order one and do it yourself. even apples $29 is too expensive. its 2 screws.

 

[Maui19]

Interesting. It is only $49 for accidental damage replacement/repair. It's $45 for the third party glass. I think Apple gets the nod on this one.

Thanks.

 

[Truefan31]

Fix it yourself, sell for 200+ go get the 5s

 

[Maui19]

Refurb is on the way. I may keep it or sell it. Not sure which yet.

 

[Joe323]

I'm in the same situation except I just got my phone back from AppleCare. I'd like to get the phone unlocked first though before selling it. I'm using a loaner phone now. Do I need to activate the Applecared iPhone first before having AT&T unlock it?

 

[silver8ack]

Use AppleCare then sell it.

Then come back here and complain about AppleCare costing $79 to replace because of schmucks doing that.

 

[thatoneguy82]

I don't know why people keep saying $79. That's clearly for the new iPhones. Logic will say that he's had AC+ for a while since he has a 4S and his contract says replacements cost $49. There's no way Apple can change that 2-year contract.

 

[iRobby]

Interesting. It is only $49 for accidental damage replacement/repair. It's $45 for the third party glass. I think Apple gets the nod on this one.

Thanks.

Today I dropped my (16g) 4S, and the back cracked. I have a screen protector on the back, so the damage is mostly cosmetic. I am due for an upgrade with ATT, so I was planning to trade this in for a 5S, thinking I would get the 5S for almost nothing due to the trade in credit. Now that the case is broken, I won't get nearly that much on the trade.

As far as I can tell, my options are:

1) Live with the phone as is

2) Pay $79 for the repair via Applecare and keep it

3) Pay $79 for the repair via Applecare and trade it in

4) Trade it in for a 5S as is (anyone have any idea what it's worth now?)

The 4S is really all the phone I need, but it would be nice to have a faster phone, fingerprint thingy and better camera.

Whaddya think?

The same thing happened to me and my White iPhone 4S 64GB. I went in to the Apple store and wanted to swap via AppleCare for $49. They wouldn't let me. They said AppleCare wouldn't approve a swap because repairing the glass would be $20 cheaper.

So, since my contract was up like you, I simply had them repair my back glass and then I traded it it in for my Gold iPhone 5S 64GB.
They gave me $205 for my iPhone 4S that was just repaired.

 

[Charadis]

As others have been saying, Apple can replace your 4s glass backplate at the Genius Bar in an Apple Store for only $29 (plus any applicable tax), and rest assured it is an official OEM part.

If you're grandfathered in for the old rate with AppleCare+, you could probably swap it in for a "new" refurb as well for only $30 more. Best of luck however you decide to proceed. Sent from my iPhone 5.

 

[Maui19]

I checked the trade in value. An undamaged 4S like mine gets $200. A 4S that is damaged like mine gets $66.

I'll be trading mine as soon as my local store gets the 5S in stock.