New(?): Apple officially doing free replacements for hairline cracks?

[mrat93]

With the new AppleCare plan announced today, I was curious to see what the repair costs are for AVP. Is this new?:

As far as I’m aware, Apple hasn’t officially acknowledged the hairline crack issue, and it has typically been something they charge to repair/replace. But this seems to imply that they’re doing free replacements for anybody, with or without AppleCare.

 

[axantas]

It was discussed a while ago. They do it for free without Apple Care as well. Initially they charged about 800$ - but apparently Apple acknowledged a design flaw - silently.

 

[mrat93]

It was discussed a while ago. They do it for free without Apple Care as well. Initially they charged about 800$ - but apparently Apple acknowledged a design flaw - silently.

Another thing that I think is unique... It covers out-of-warranty devices as well.

I wonder if it was better PR-wise to make it free, no questions asked, rather than having a replacement program for a 1st gen product.