Apple users may face unwelcome news regarding their devices as it has been reported by 9to5Mac that tiny cracks on iPhone or Apple Watch displays are no longer covered under Apple’s standard warranty.
Traditionally, Apple’s standard one-year warranty has omitted coverage for “cosmetic damage,” encompassing scratches, dents, and damage to plastic ports unless directly attributed to defective materials or workmanship. However, hairline cracks, defined as singular fractures without evidence of impact or spiderweb patterns, have historically fallen under the umbrella of screen defects, thus potentially qualifying for free repairs, albeit subject to variances in treatment between Apple Stores and third-party repair shops.
According to sources cited by 9to5Mac, Apple is purportedly instructing its retail outlets and authorized service providers to classify all hairline cracks as accidental damage, necessitating customers to bear the costs of repairs. At present, this policy change appears to affect solely Apple Watches and iPhones, with iPads and Macs remaining unaffected. The Verge has reached out to Apple for comment on these developments, but as of now, no response has been received.
Outside of warranty coverage, the cost of iPhone screen repairs ranges from $129 for older models like the iPhone SE to $379 for the latest iPhone 15 Pro Max. Enrolling in Apple Care Plus reduces these costs to $29 for all models. For Apple Watch repairs, specific pricing for screen damages is not provided on Apple’s repair estimate site and is instead categorized under “other damage,” with costs varying from $249 to $800 based on the model. These costs can be reduced to $69 to $79 with Apple Care Plus.
Although this change in warranty policy may disappoint users, it should be noted that Apple has made strides in facilitating repairs in recent years, partly due to advocacy from right-to-repair movements. Notably, in 2022, Apple introduced a Self Service Repair program allowing users to address issues such as iPhone battery, screen, and camera repairs, although user experiences with the program have varied. Additionally, Apple reduced the cost of repairing broken back glass on the iPhone 15 Pro to $199, marking a substantial decrease. In April, the company announced plans to permit repairs on select iPhone models using genuine used parts starting in the fall.
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