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Severe iPhone repair needed - what are my options?

T

throwbookatface

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 30, 2009
34
0
Hey guys,

Simple question - my 16gb 3GS iPhone is broken. I ran over it with a go-kart by accident after having it for 2 months! It fell out of pocket on one lap, ran over it the next lap while trying to find it :( It doesn't just need a simple screen replacement though:

  • Screen shattered.
  • The LCD is broken too (it turns on, but just shows white, and there is a small missing part where you can see the iPhone internals too, so I'd definitely need the new digitizer).
  • It can take calls and I can answer by swiping, but the microphone doesn't work as the person calling can't hear my voice
  • The bottom speaker/ringer doesn't work
  • The ear/phone speaker doesn't work, so essentially, no sound works on the phone

I got an offer to sell the broken shell to a guy for $150. I'm using a buddy's jailbroken 2G Edge iPhone for now, and I hate it. Since I only had the phone for 2 months, I don't qualify for an upgrade yet under AT&T so a new 16gb 3GS would cost me $400 with a contract extension (ouch).

Is it possible/worth it to repair my crushed iPhone's screen, LCD digitizer, mirophone, and 2 speakers, or should I just take the $150 and put it toward getting a new model, either another $400 3GS or Apple's next iPhone, whenever it may come out?

I appreciate any feedback. I realize there are a lot of these threads but since the damage seems so extensive and unique in my case I thought it might be reasonable to post my diagnostics and seek people's opinions. Thanks!
 
throwbookatface said:
Do you think they'd be willing to do that even if I don't qualify for the upgrade yet?
Click to expand...

Their replacement program has nothing to do with your contract with At&t.

Also, I thought you were going to say you were hit with a green shell, then slipped on a banana peel, then ran over the phone. Would have been more awesome.
 
That at least would have been a better story to tell. Instead, my phone was in my side pocket instead of my pants pocket, so a hard right turn (and my stupidity) meant that it flew out with intertia. I ran over it on the next lap, and I'm sure other people did too.

I made a Genius appointment for this evening, I'll post back with results. If it's too expensive, I'll sell it to the guy who buys broken iphones and save up for the next-gen phone.
 
throwbookatface said:
Do you think they'd be willing to do that even if I don't qualify for the upgrade yet?
Click to expand...

It has nothing to do with that, since this would be an Out of Warranty replacement. However, I'm not sure if your damage is not too much for them to give you the replacement. I'll try to find the link that states the conditions for replacement and post here unless someone beats me to it.

http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/service/faq/#warranty7

Out-of-Warranty Service
If you own an iPhone that is ineligible for warranty service but is eligible for Out-of-Warranty (OOW) Service, Apple will replace your iPhone with a new or refurbished iPhone for the Out-of-Warranty Service fee listed below.

iPhone 3GS Out-of-Warranty Service
16GB & 32GB $199

iPhone 3G Out-of-Warranty Service
8GB, 16GB $199
Original iPhone Out-of-Warranty Service
4GB, 8GB & 16GB $199

*All fees are in US dollars and exclude applicable taxes

For example, an iPhone that has failed due to damage or liquid damage is eligible for Out-of-Warranty service. However, certain damage is ineligible for OOW service, including catastrophic damage, such as the device separating into multiple pieces, and inoperability caused by unauthorized modifications.
Click to expand...

The bold is mine. So, it all depends on whether the Genius thinks you do not have catastrophic damage.
 
I am very interested to know how this turns out for you. I can totally see something even more absurd happening to me someday.

Good Luck!
 
If this was in the UK, I could fix it for 180-200 dollars. Think 150 is a bit cheap - if the circuit board is good and not damaged it is worth alot more than that for parts.

Regards

Spencer
 
Sorry to hear that man, take it to Apple they will replace it under their "program". :) By the way, I learned my lesson the hard way, NEVER take your cell phone with you to an amusement park or go-kart track unless you wear TIGHT fitting jeans where it will tightly stay in your pocket. I lost my Motorola Q at a go-kart track.. and of course, it was never turned back in to lost and found.... Fortunately, i Had an extra one on hand that Verizon had shipped me.. And then 3 months later I got my iphone! :)
 
Also did you buy your iPhone with a credit card? If so check to see if you have any buyer protection built in. With American Express for example you have 90 days of protection in case of damage. I unfortunately dropped my 3gs in the toilet about a month after I got it. I got the $199 out of warranty replacement from Apple & then filed my claim with AMEX. Took a few weeks but they reimbursed me for the replacement.
 
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