Other if my iPhone ends up at the bottom of the pool, does AppleCare+ try to repair it? or do they simply replace it with a refurbished phone?

[BlueMoose]

A family member's previous phone was a Samsung Galaxy S10 on Verizon. It was on Verizon's protection plan. She dropped it while walking away from a diving pool.(phone was in a bag and fell out, landed at the bottom of the 15-foot pool) The phone worked for a few more hours and then just died completely. After filing a claim over the phone, Verizon immediately shipped out a replacement certified refurbished Samsung S10 via overnight.(received the very next morning) The refurbished phone was in perfect condition... just as good as new, minus the new box. Although.... if I take into account the monthly fees for the protection plan plus the deductible, it made more sense to NOT have the protection plan and just buy a refurbished phone...

Now... I just bought her a new iPhone. I put it on AppleCare+ for now. (knock on wood)... if she drops it in the pool again, does AppleCare attempt to repair it? Or are they just like Verizon protection plan and send out refurbished phone as replacement? If that's that case, I might as well just cancel the AppleCare+ and buy a refurbished one if the worst happens?

Thanks!

 

[Apple_Robert]

With the phone being on AC+, the best thing to do is ask for Express Replacement should something like (or similar) that happen again. That way, she can get a Apple refurbished phone in 2 - 3 days and it will come in a plain white box and look new with a a new battery as well etc.

 

[fs454]

They replace the iPhone in full if it's damaged beyond front/rear glass repair. I don't see any situation where canceling Applecare+ and buying a refurbished phone is cheaper than just using AppleCare+ if you need it. Its like, $10 per month, right? And $99 service fee last I checked. The replacement phone appears 100% new with the only refurbished part being the logic board, and they don't do any sketchy stuff like Verizon's insurance plan which isn't technically an apple authorized service provider.

Would you prefer they try and revive a water damaged device? How does that make it any more desirable as a service?


Also, for what it's worth, a modern iPhone should be able to survive 20-30 minutes at the bottom of a pool with no ill effects, provided that the screen isn't cracked.

 

[KaliYoni]

I might as well just cancel the AppleCare+ and buy a refurbished one if the worst happens?

Also keep in mind the phone you need might not be available as a refurb at the time you want to buy it? Not only do stock levels of refurbs available to retail buyers vary, the 12 and 12 Mini have two models? If you want to ensure a quick replacement of a broken iPhone, AppleCare is the way to go (assuming you're also prepared to pay the $99 accidental damage fee)?

iPhone

Designed for Apple Intelligence. Discover the new iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Plus.

www.apple.com

 

[LFC2020]

No one is repairing a water damaged phone, you'll get a on the spot replacement.

 

[eyoungren]

If that's that case, I might as well just cancel the AppleCare+ and buy a refurbished one if the worst happens?

…AppleCare is the way to go (assuming you're also prepared to pay the $99 accidental damage fee)?

To add since OP may not be aware. Apple refers to replacement phones as remanufactured. The device replacement will have a new casing, a new battery and a new screen. All internal parts are tested and the entire device undergoes QA that tends to be more rigorous than the QA for new devices. You also get a 30 day warranty, extending your AC+ by 30 days if you still have it.

Other companies may or may not do the same.

PS. outside of warranty or AC+ Apple also offers the OoW (Out of Warranty) price, which is often half the cost of a new phone. So, even if you aren't covered if you turn your device in they will give you that price.