I know if the screen cracks you can pay $29 but if I am OCD and want a new condition iPhone, if I pay the $99 fee, would they send me a brand new replacement with screen and battery replaced? If so I would think it is worth paying the extra $70.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone X How does AppleCare+ work if I drop my iPhone X completely?
- Thread starter Kendo
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I've been given the option to pay the $99 before when I said I was in a hurry at the store and couldn't wait hours for the screen repair.
Also, if the back glass happens to break in a drop, the full phone gets replaced in that case as well.
The problem is replacement devices are refurbished. Cosmetically, they are new because they receive a new battery and outer shell. But other components including the display, camera, and logic board are from salvage. Those components could come from a previously waterlogged iPhone. Or it could be from an open box return.
If you've treated your phone well and know the condition, replacement parts are preferable to a replacement unit.
Are you truly OCD (meaning you've been diagnosed and are being treated for the condition), or are you just using the term to describe a general dislike of less than perfect?
I'm asking because you have to realize that if Apple replaces your iPhone they aren't going to go open a brand new box. They are going to go and grab one of the white box remanufactured devices.
Remanufactured devices are devices that have been returned to Apple, given a new screen, a new casing and a new battery. But ALL of the other parts are not replaced - as long as they pass inspection.
You can squawk about it all you want, but Apple will NOT open a new box for you.
So, functionally, you are going to get the equivalent of what you get with a screen replacement - only someone other than you will have used it first.
So…are you really OCD? 'Cause if you are, now that I've told you this, it's going to bother the hell out of you.
Last edited:
Great post. In terms of OCD, I guess not so much that I need them to open a brand new retail box (which you confirmed won't be happening) but enough where I would cringe every time I looked at a beat up iPhone.
Imagine I am riding a bike and the phone falls out of my pocket and tumbles over and over repeatedly. Only the front screen is cracked, the back is intact, but all of the edges around the aluminum band are scratched and dented to hell and back and my battery is already at 87% capacity. In those situations I would very much rather have a refurbished $99 replacement than my original phone with my original parts (A11, camera, used battery) but a brand new screen installed.
I'd rather go that route too.
It's also been my experience that replacements are often of better durability than the device they replace. So, there is that (maybe).
In any case, your AC+ warranty gets additional time added to it because Apple gives you a 6 month warranty on the replacement.
What’s the problem with the “refurbished” devices?
I mean, there’s only so many iPhones with some failed part that can be otherwise repaired.
I don’t think water damaged components would be used at all, those phones would probably go straight to the trash can.
TBH I think there’s a healthy mix of repaired phones, open box returned devices, and brand new phones that are used to complete that stock. They won’t explain what is what because it (a) wouldnt make a difference anyway and (b) to not make anyone promises.
I mean, there’s only so many iPhones with some failed part that can be otherwise repaired.
I don’t think water damaged components would be used at all, those phones would probably go straight to the trash can.
TBH I think there’s a healthy mix of repaired phones, open box returned devices, and brand new phones that are used to complete that stock. They won’t explain what is what because it (a) wouldnt make a difference anyway and (b) to not make anyone promises.
when 1 of my daughters cracked her screen they just replaced the whole phone for $29
ive seen them do just that but i think it was due to the customer causing a scene and them wanting the customer out of the store
it sucks because she got what he wanted due to his inappropriate actions
Even if you have AppleCare Plus and you take it to the apple store to have them looked it, they will want to go with the repair route instead of replacing the whole unit. There are some exceptions to this, such as water damage, if the casing was bent, etc. But if it's just screen crack, they'll just repair the screen. YMMV depending on who you see, however, doesn't hurt to ask them if you can just pay $99 instead and get the whole unit replaced.
I had AppleCare Plus on my 6 Plus at the time and screen cracked and the aluminum casing showed some damage from dropping the phone. Originally tech specialist just want to have the screen repaired, being that I didn't like the damaged casing, I asked if they could just do the whole unit replacement. Tech was reluctant at first and I explained to him at some point that I spilled soda on my phone accidentally (which was true, phone still worked fine though), so he decided to replace the whole unit it instead.
.
I had AppleCare Plus on my 6 Plus at the time and screen cracked and the aluminum casing showed some damage from dropping the phone. Originally tech specialist just want to have the screen repaired, being that I didn't like the damaged casing, I asked if they could just do the whole unit replacement. Tech was reluctant at first and I explained to him at some point that I spilled soda on my phone accidentally (which was true, phone still worked fine though), so he decided to replace the whole unit it instead.
.