I've had this case since November and within the first week this happened:
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Might have been a drop, I can't remember. I was disheartened, the thing was brand new. But whatever, I just forgot about it.
This morning, another drop while walking the cat--this time on cement:
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This one, unfortunately is a problem. There is some skeletal plastic that is very rigid and from the impact the plastic is now ragged and sharp. (iPhone remains free of visible damage)
Apple will not replace the case. I was honest and said the damage was due to falls. They looked at these same photos.
They said this simply wouldn't be covered by the warranty.
I went through four levels of support, two chat and two on the phone before I had some guy who literally sounded like Tim Cook. This final persons was patient but wouldn't budge. They seemed to suggest I might have more luck getting someone at the Apple store to replace it.
On one hand, I get it--I dropped the phone. On the other hand:
- The case cost $50, its a premium product, it should handle falls exceptionally well and if for some reason it doesn't, it should be a small thing to replace.
- If the product is designed to protect against "normal" falls and during a fall is damaged in a way that makes it reasonably unfit for use, have I used this product incorrectly?
- If I am using the case wrong, what is the purpose of the case?
- The iPhone 12 Pro is on the iPhone upgrade program and is covered by Apple Care+.
- It is $29 to replace the entire screen due to a fall on cement. I will be returning this phone to apple at the end of the year for my annual upgrade I've done for many years now in exchange for the 13.
- Doesn't Apple want the iPhone to be always be protected in one of their own cases so it is in the best possible shape for refurbished sale?
- Why would Apple not extend some kind of leniency or major replacement subsidy on their own case to Apple Care+ users if it reduces the likelihood of having to perform a highly-subsidized screen replacement?
- This shouldn't matter, but I have a universe of Apple products. I don't know if I'm a whale or not, but I'd guess I'm in some smaller percentage of users with vast buy-in to the Apple ecosystem. APMs, XDR Pro, AW, Homepods, etc
- All of this equipment should be easily seen to be attached to my Apple ID. Why doesn't Apple support its a customer as bought in as I am with a little leeway on this relatively minor, low cost to handle support request? Am I being tested for my loyalty in some way?
- I've bought two magsafe chargers and the magsafe wallet attachment.
- A magsafe case is sort of required to protect the phone and buy in to this new direction for iPhone.
- I'd presume Apple would want to provide extra incentive to try and like magsafe. Like idk, maybe going overboard to make sure early adopters are very well taken care of.