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Who is getting Apple Care on their current phone?
- Thread starter TXCraig
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Good move . . . often when you pass on Applecare something bad happens. I think of it as insurance
For those of you that have had Apple Care replace your iPhone over the last year - can you tell me what was actually wrong with the phone, what happened? Was it software related and it became unresponsive? Did you crack your screen by having it in your pocket and sitting down? I'm just wondering under what circumstances Apple will replace the phone at no charge vs. saying whatever damage is not covered (I'm assuming sending it through the wash isn't covered...)
I'm going to be one lining up for my iPhone 3G, and I know I have a year to get the Apple Care protection, but really trying to see what the situations are that the phone would break and what Apple would cover. Real world examples rather than trying to decipher the legal jargon within the Apple Care contract, you know.
I'm going to be one lining up for my iPhone 3G, and I know I have a year to get the Apple Care protection, but really trying to see what the situations are that the phone would break and what Apple would cover. Real world examples rather than trying to decipher the legal jargon within the Apple Care contract, you know.
My first phone lasted about 6 months and top half of the screen was not responsive to touch. They replaced the phone at the apple store. About 2 months later, the WiFi radio went out and the phone could no longer see WiFi access points. Apple again replaced my phone. Each time the Apple store reloaded the phone to verify it was NOT a software problem.
Non of these problems were cause my any kind of mis-handling on my part. It just stopped working.
Non of these problems were cause my any kind of mis-handling on my part. It just stopped working.
I went through two iPhones for screen issues (bubbles in the glass and a lot of stuck pixels). They were replaced without incident. But seeing friends go through headaches involving expensive repair costs for their uncovered Macs, I bought AppleCare a few days ago, just in case. Even if it's something that may be partly my fault, at least I'll have the "well, I bought the extra protection" argument and if not, AppleCare adds to the resale value if I decide to dump it and go 3G.
Basically if the malfunction is not due to abuse or misuse it should be covered under the warranty. If you submerge it in water, drop it, throw it, step on it, sit on it, run over it with your car, drop it from an airborne amusement ride . . . . well you get the idea, in all likelihood it will not be covered and you may have to pay for repairs or a replacement phone
You may want to call Apple or drop by your local Apple Store for a more accurate answer.
Cost?
What does Apple Care cost for the iPhone? I tried checking Apple's site, but it has been taken down as a product offering. (Probably waiting for 7/11 to bring it back up.)
What does Apple Care cost for the iPhone? I tried checking Apple's site, but it has been taken down as a product offering. (Probably waiting for 7/11 to bring it back up.)
I wonder how this would work with the 3G? Would they only reimburse for the amount you originally charged on your AmEx or the cost "no matter what" for a replacement? I'm just thinking of the situation where you buy it for the subsidized price, but a replacement might cost you the full "no contract" price. I fear it might be the former (I'm a pessimist) but sounds awesome if it's the latter.
I've had my iPhone replaced twice as well, both times without any resistance from the Geniuses. The first time was due to my particular phone not liking the software update (I think it was 1.1.2) and acting all wonky. It started dropping calls, quitting applications, speakerphone not working, etc. (software problem).
The second time was about 3 months ago, I noticed there was a faint bright line (barely noticeable) that ran from the top of the screen to the bottom. I sort-of mentioned it in the midst of conversation when I was visiting the store and they quickly got me hooked up with an appointment to show the Genius. It took him a while to see it, but after he caught a glimpse of it, he told me they'd replace it, no problems. Turned out it was screen burn-in (hardware problem).
Since I've already had to use the warranty, I think I'm going to give in and buy the Applecare for the next year.
On the flipside, I had a friend who was fishing his keys out of his pocket and dropped his iPhone down a flight of concrete stairs. Of course, he cracked his screen and Applecare wouldn't cover that. I can't remember the exact price, but I know they told him it would be well over $200 to replace just the screen. (Ouch right?)
The second time was about 3 months ago, I noticed there was a faint bright line (barely noticeable) that ran from the top of the screen to the bottom. I sort-of mentioned it in the midst of conversation when I was visiting the store and they quickly got me hooked up with an appointment to show the Genius. It took him a while to see it, but after he caught a glimpse of it, he told me they'd replace it, no problems. Turned out it was screen burn-in (hardware problem).
Since I've already had to use the warranty, I think I'm going to give in and buy the Applecare for the next year.
On the flipside, I had a friend who was fishing his keys out of his pocket and dropped his iPhone down a flight of concrete stairs. Of course, he cracked his screen and Applecare wouldn't cover that. I can't remember the exact price, but I know they told him it would be well over $200 to replace just the screen. (Ouch right?)
That's great information, thanks for the answers there. I will probably wind up getting it (maybe not at first, but within the first year). Then again, maybe I'll only have the phone a year and they will come out with the iPhone Video next year that will have the wished-for dual camera for video calls.
Do you bother to get an extended warranty on a device that you expect to replace anyway in one year? Hmmmm....
Do you bother to get an extended warranty on a device that you expect to replace anyway in one year? Hmmmm....
They will reimbursh you the original sales price plus tax and no more. This thread concerns the current iPhone 1.0, not 3G. If you paid $699 plus tax on launch day on an Amex card, that's what you'll get, no matter how cheap the iPhone has become. Why pay more for AppleCare if you already have this protection?
Of course, AppleCare for 3G will be different and may even be necessary when they start selling the iPhone at the subsidized price of $0 (which I predict will happen eventually), in which case you can't use your credit card's warranty protection.
Unlike what's happening right now and now that the iPhone is subsidized, nobody will be replacing their iPhone in one year (unless they want to pay the full price). That'll happen every two years with a free upgrade.