Screen cracked. But screen is loose at upper left corner. Will Apple replace it?

[cathyy]

Okay so shortly after I got my phone, I noticed it was loose in the upper left hand corner and sometimes I'd be able to press it back into place. But I wasn't able to replicate the issue so I didn't get it changed.

Fast forward a few months, I dropped my phone and cracked the screen. No AppleCare+ so I'm outta luck.

However I just remembered that my screen is defective in the upper left hand corner. Is there any chance that Apple would replace my screen for free due to that defect?

 

[alphaod]

It's not likely, but you can try.

The issue is now they'll say the screen is loose because you dropped it. Should have replaced the screen when you got it.

 

[iConnected]

The only way to find out is to take it in and ask.

First they'd need to be able to see the upper left defect that you describe.

Assuming they can, they'd next need to satisfy themselves that it is a manufacturing defect instead of having been caused when you dropped the phone.

Even if that's what they conclude, there may have been a fix for your original problem that didn't involve replacing the whole screen.

You'll just have to ask, I'm afraid.

Good luck!

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Actually, you may have a better chance than I first thought:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1850806/

 

[rgarjr]

They see the crack and likely voids the issue with the loose screen.

 

[Jtludwig]

The door on my new car didn't work right when I picked it up at the dealership.

Before I could get it fixed, I crashed the car and the door was damaged. Will the dealership fix it under warranty?

 

[iConnected]

Sorry - I've read some more (including the other posts here) and it definitely looks like you're stuck with paying for an out of warranty repair.

On the plus side, the cost of that repair is likely not dissimilar to what you would have paid for AppleCare+ and an accidental damage claim excess / deductible. Perhaps even cheaper.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Okay so shortly after I got my phone, I noticed it was loose in the upper left hand corner and sometimes I'd be able to press it back into place. But I wasn't able to replicate the issue so I didn't get it changed.

Fast forward a few months, I dropped my phone and cracked the screen. No AppleCare+ so I'm outta luck.

However I just remembered that my screen is defective in the upper left hand corner. Is there any chance that Apple would replace my screen for free due to that defect?

It would be good will from Apple to fix it at no charge but I highly doubt it.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[iConnected]

The door on my new car didn't work right when I picked it up at the dealership.

Before I could get it fixed, I crashed the car and the door was damaged. Will the dealership fix it under warranty?

I guess that would depend on whether the original problem was still demonstrably evident as not having been caused by your subsequent damage. And on the terms of the warranty. And on your country's laws.

eg if there was a known design flaw with your door hinge and the whole door would have been eligible for replacement before you added accidental damage - then perhaps yes, they still would.

 

[BigInDallas]

I guess that would depend on whether the original problem was still demonstrably evident as not having been caused by your subsequent damage. And on the terms of the warranty. And on your country's laws.

eg if there was a known design flaw with your door hinge and the whole door would have been eligible for replacement before you added accidental damage - then perhaps yes, they still would.

Or its just a smart ass answer

 

[maflynn]

As others stated, its not likely because they'll infer that the looseness was a result of the drop. From their perspective, they'll not be able to discern a pre-existing condition due to the damage to the screen.

 

[iConnected]

As others stated, its not likely because they'll infer that the looseness was a result of the drop. From their perspective, they'll not be able to discern a pre-existing condition due to the damage to the screen.

For the avoidance of any doubt, I agree - as I learned since my early post, it seems certain that any kind of accidental damage has voided Apple's warranty.

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Or its just a smart ass answer

Do you mean I'm being a smart ass? Or am I misunderstanding?

My answer about the hypothetical car warranty is a separate matter.

Cars get recalled all the time for faults of one kind or another. If you put a scratch, dent or whatever on something that was already eligible for replacement, it's highly unlikely to exempt the dealer or manufacturer from replacing the part.

 

[Brian Y]

For the avoidance of any doubt, I agree - as I learned since my early post, it seems certain that any kind of accidental damage has voided Apple's warranty.

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Do you mean I'm being a smart ass? Or am I misunderstanding?

My answer about the hypothetical car warranty is a separate matter.

Cars get recalled all the time for faults of one kind or another. If you put a scratch, dent or whatever on something that was already eligible for replacement, it's highly unlikely to exempt the dealer or manufacturer from replacing the part.

A small scratch, yes, in the same way that a scratch in his screen wouldn't stop apple replacing a loose screen.

If the part on a car was completely damaged, they would not honour it. If Apple do it, it will be as a gesture of goodwill, not because they have to. The only time that would be different is if the recalled part caused the damage or the accident which caused the damage. I think we can safely assume that a loose screen didn't cause him to drop it.

 

[iConnected]

A small scratch, yes, in the same way that a scratch in his screen wouldn't stop apple replacing a loose screen.

If the part on a car was completely damaged, they would not honour it. If Apple do it, it will be as a gesture of goodwill, not because they have to. The only time that would be different is if the recalled part caused the damage or the accident which caused the damage. I think we can safely assume that a loose screen didn't cause him to drop it.

I think we're at cross purposes here.

The original car question was, unfortunately, a bad choice as a comparable situation.

It's much easier with something that has big parts (like a car) to have both an original defect and subsequent damage that are easily discernible from each other and where cause and effect for each might be capable of being easily proven.

To stretch the point, you could, for example, have a mis-assembled door hinge (which may be a common, known fault) on one side of a door and a bullet hole on the other side. I'd be amazed if the bullet hole exempted the manufacturer from replacing the door to remedy their original manufacturing defect. Also, a warranty for a car has entirely different terms than a warranty for an iPhone.

Like I said, the car was just a bad choice of example.

I have already said that I agree with the most important point: the OP's iPhone will not be fixed for free unless Apple does so as a goodwill gesture.

 

[Rugburn]

I dropped my iPhone and it had a hairline crack. After awhile it bothered me enough that I decided to splurge and get the screen replaced. (I do not have apple care)

Went to the Apple Store and was offered a replacement (refurbished I'm sure) immediately or wait to have it repaired. Other than the screen, it was in excellent condition.

As luck would have it, I had backed it up about 3 days before, so I took the shiny new replacement phone.

So, if I were you, I'd make plans to repair the screen. Cost is $109. (I think that's fair). If you get lucky maybe they'll surprise you with a free replacement too.

 

[byrdjr222]

I had the issue with my screen being loose, called apple and they shipped me a new one the next day. I think that since the loose screen is a known issue and many people have had problems, you may have been luck than you think. Just have to go ask and see if they will help you out. If you catch the right person on the right day then you may be in luck.