They destroy their own phone first though as cosmetic only damage does not fulfil the requirements of an AC+ replacement. It isn’t hard to crack the screen or glass back by dropping it a few times on the ground.People have literally been doing this for years. They’ll get a replacement right before the new phones come out so they can get maximum resale value. I’ve seen it mentioned multiple times over the years.
Are you an Apple employee? I feel like you’re policing this thread hard for some reason. Yet it also feels like you haven’t actually used AppleCare+.They destroy their own phone first though as cosmetic only damage does not fulfil the requirements of an AC+ replacement. It isn’t hard to crack the screen or glass back by dropping it a few times on the ground.
Very immoral though as they are essentially committing fraud.
I have never used AppleCare+ because I always use a case and screen protector with my iPhones. I am pointing out the T&Cs on Apple’s own website along with comments made by users on this forum.Are you an Apple employee? I feel like you’re policing this thread hard for some reason. Yet it also feels like you haven’t actually used AppleCare+.
I’ve had it for years and only had to use it once so far. But the process was simple, seamless, and hassle-free. Even for my barely-damaged with minor scuffs, fully functional phone.
With a fall you can't be sure the screen protector actually helps at all. If it breaks it doesn't mean the glass would have too, some of these protector manufacturers make claims that I don't know where they come from. Testing this would require a controlled identical drop repeated many times with and without the protector and then checking if that protector actually made a significant difference over hundreds of drops. And then you gotta do that from various angles and even if the results show a difference, that result is only valid for that one particular protector on that particular iPhone model.
I slightly doubt any such accessoires manufacturer does that kind of testing, just think about the amount of broken iPhones they'd go through. Even if they claimed to have tested it, who knows if they really have. So all the claims that these screen protectors do anything more than prevent scratches I just can't take seriously.
About not wanting to use AC+... on the off-chance that I really smash the screen the replacement fee of $29 is so very low that I don't even worry about it. You are already paying for AC+! Usually you get the phone back within one week, I have an older SE in the drawer if that ever happens.
I understand not ever wanting to use insurance for things like your house burning down, obviously you'll hopefully never have to use insurance like that. Or totalling a car. These are all major headaches. A smashed iPhone screen is a 5 minute walk to an Apple Store for me, that's merely a small inconvenience.
I don't want to spend $999 on a flagship phone with high quality materials and great looking finish only to hide that away to protect it.
but you should use the case anywayI bought a new iPhone 15 Pro and the guy at the store suggested I get AppleCare+, so I did since I learned it can be paid monthly. From what it sounds like, if any physical damage happens to the phone, I can get it fixed or replaced. With that, is it worth using a case at all? Seems like I can appreciate the design of the phone without a case since I have AppleCare+. Curious what others do.
My 13PM screen protector was shattered in a corner like half an inch and 2 other corners were falling apart for a year until I got the 15 P. Didn't mind at all, but if would have been the real screen I would have been in deep depression 😅Strangely enough, when I get a scratch on my screen protector I can tolerate it for quite a while (which I think is because I know I can just get rid of it by changing the screen protector).
Very immoral though as they are essentially committing fraud.
If you torch your own car and claim it on your insurance, you should get a payout after paying a deductible however it is still fraud as you’re claiming out of false pretences.Not really since you're paying your deductible anyway. Also I'm pretty sure Apple knows very well that people are doing it as their statistics surely show the increased amount of cases during launch day, yet they even upped the amount of accidental damage repairs from 2x to unlimited...
Is it morally questionable due to unnecessary creation of waste and logistics? Probably. Can it be considered "fraud"? No.
Applecare+ does cover damage that is accidental, cosmetic or under warranty. The former two with a deductible (Applecare Regular does not), BUT you are only allowed two repair cases within a 12 month period, so it is not bottomless. Plus, depending on part availability and speed of service, getting it repaired can range from a couple hours to DAYS without your device, or a lender in hand.
So best to avoid the cost of money and time altogether with a case and screen protector. Not to mention the gas and time it will take to get the device into the store, check-in, and pick up. All of this most likely happening on a week day during or after work.

Ouch. That fast? That’s one reason I can’t go caseless.Going to try caseless and see how it goes. Only have had my Blue PM for a little over 24 hours and the bare titanium is already starting to show
My blue titanium is caseless and flawless. I know it won’t be forever, though. But so far so good!Ouch. That fast? That’s one reason I can’t go caseless.
Yeah. I'm not sure if it came like this but it's literally just been in a pocket or resting on the magsafe wallet on a table.Ouch. That fast? That’s one reason I can’t go caseless.
I understand that. When I sold my previous iPhone to someone I inspected it carefully and took photos, and suddenly there were scratches visible. But when I actually looked at the screen when it's turned on they were invisible. Never managed to get scratches that are visible with the screen on.I don't use a case but I can't bring myself to ditch the screen protector because while I don't mind scratches anywhere else, even the smallest of scratches on my screen drives me crazy to the extent I can't use the device any more (which I know is completely irrational but as humans, we're not always rational!).
Same and monthly allows you to keep the AC for as long as you own the phone.I pay monthly, but that's because I tend to trade in every year 😅
I think the difference is that the iPod was usually just in the pocket. While I have like 7-8h screen time daily on my iPhone.I'm not sure when we as consumers became obsessed about maintaining devices in pristine condition - I remember the days of the shiny backed iPods that looked like they'd been attacked by a scotchbrite pad 5 minutes after unboxing them and no-one cared