Just how much more "lenient" is Apple towards AppleCare + purchasers?

If it's under warranty: no more or less likely than an iPhone ot covered under AppleCare+. Except you get an extra year.

If this damaged: Sure! For 50 bucks.

 

New policy is $199 flat rate to replace any broken iphone (cracked, etc) with an identical refurb model. Verified in the SoHo NYC store yesterday, when I replaced my shattered 4S that is out of warranty and never had applecare of any kind.

 

199 for the 4S....229 for the 5. my friend had to get his iPhone 5 replaced and it was 229

 

Thank you, good to know.

 

Did you have to renew your contract after paying the $229 replacement fee?

 

No. Hardware only

 

Rates are posted on Apple's site. Click on "Warranty & Service Pricing" and then "My phone is not eligible..."
http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=servicefaq&geo=United_States&product=iphone

Your contract is on your service -- not the device.

 

Yeah. I wouldn't have been able to tell it apart from one that was 100% brand new.