Dealing with a cracked iPhone screen: Repair, other options
Posted 16 August 2007 @ 11am in Guides/How-Tos
The iPhone’s screen is durable, but not invincible. An awkward fall, too much pressure and other unnatural impact can cause cracks in the optical glass that render the device unusable. When you’re done cursing your buttery fingers and have traversed the stages of guilt, denial and acceptance, here are some productive means for dealing with a broken touchscreen:
Repair/replacement from Apple: $200-$250 The iPhone is covered under a standard limited one-year Apple warranty for manufacturer’s defects, but is not eligible for AT&T’s wireless phone insurance, which (for a $5 monthly fee) will provide replacement in the case of loss or theft, accidental physical or liquid damage or mechanical and electrical failure after the manufacturer’s warranty period has expired.
An Apple FAQ states that if you own an iPhone and it requires service for any reason other than the battery (which costs $86 total to replace), Apple will repair your iPhone for the service fee listed below, plus $6.95 for shipping and handling:
- 4GB: $199
- 8GB: $249
Presumably this includes screen cracks, though Apple states “Service may not be available if your iPhone has been damaged due to accident or abuse.”
We’ve received reports from some readers who had success having their iPhones with cracked screens replaced free of charge by geniuses at the Apple Store, but don’t count on it. This type of replacement is likely only if it can be proven that the screen was damaged during routine use.
Do-it-yourself: $150-$200 + tools and loss of your warranty Several third-party companies sell replacement iPhone screens, which include the LCD and associated components. PDAParts sells the complete replacement screen for $150 and has a how-to video for self-installation. iFixIt sells the display assembly for $200, and also sells all the required tools: Heavy-Duty Spudger, Metal Spudger, iPod Opening Tools, Spudger and a #00 Phillips Screwdriver. Installation is listed as “Difficult.”
Note that by replacing the screen yourself, or having a third-party perform the repair, you may violate Apple’s warranty. The warranty does not cover “damage caused by service (including upgrades and expansions) performed by anyone who is not a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.”
Insurance/credit card protection We previously noted a bevy of insurance options for the iPhone, including homeowners/renters’ insurance extensions and services like SquareTrade.
There’s also credit card protection, an oft-overlooked option. For instance, American Express Gold Rewards Card includes a purchase protection plan that will repair or replace eligible items, or reimburse the amount you charged to the Card for covered items, up to $1000 per Occurrence, if they are stolen or accidentally damaged up to 90 days from the date of purchase.
Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.
[Image courtesy of Ficharker family on flickr]
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6 Comments
Posted by iphoneatlas
16 August 2007 @ 1pm
I shattered myy iPhone’s screen a couple of days ago and Apple fixed it for free. It was in a bag with a MacBook. The bag fell off of a table and the corner of the MacBook landed on the face of the iPhone. It took it to the Genius Bar fully prepared to shell out some big bucks and they immediately said that Apple is comping all iPhone repairs in the beginning.
The short story is that Apple wants everyone to be happy for the launch so they going out of their way to fix problems that wouldn’t usually be covered by a warranty. They warned me this was a one-time deal and did an extensive interview on the circumstances of the damage for engineering purposes - how far it fell, type of floor it landed on, etc.
Posted by bruce.davis
16 August 2007 @ 4pm
I dropped my iPhone about 1.5 feet onto a ceramic tile floor. It fell face down and the glass was shattered. The unit worked fine in all respects, except for the spiderwebs on the screen. I took it to the Genius Bar at my local Apple Store. I was expecting to pay $200 or more to have it replaced. Apple replaced my phone with a brand-new one and even changed the warranty expiration date to 1 year from the date they replaced the phone.
They didn’t ask any questions other than how far it had fallen and the surface onto which it landed. If Apple or AT&T offered replacement insurance, I would certainly purchase it. I have grown to rely too much on my iPhone to do without it for very long.
Posted by todd+iphoneatlas
9 October 2007 @ 10am
I cracked my phone this weekend when it fell out of my car onto my driveway. It hit the corner near the camera lens and two long cracks strung diagonally across the whole screen. The iphone worked fine in all aspects, except for the cracks. I called 1-800-MY-IPHONE and they gave me the speal about the repair costing $250 (I have an 8GB one). So I decided to take my chances at the local Apple store. I talked to a very nice fellow at the Genius Bar and he confirmed the facts:
1. accidental damage is not covered under the limited warrantee
2. there is no accidental damage protection plan available (”use a case” is their only answer)
3. now that my phone is damaged, my limited warrantee is now *void*
Point 3 is what really pissed me off. I asked the question: now that my iphone is broken (but otherwise works fine), what happens if a known issue like the touch function ceasing to work on the bottom of the phone happens? How do I get that repaired. His answer: you can’t. your warrantee is no longer valid. I pointed out that if that’s the case, then there’s no real reason why I wouldn’t try to just “fix” my phone myself…replacing the glass or whatever. He said that was true, except for the chance that I render it unusable. I was notably sad.
He asked me how long I owned the iphone. 3 weeks. He then said “Ok. I’ll replace your phone for you. But if anyone asks, you have no idea how your phone broke.” Apple apparently still wants all new iphone owners to be happy iphone users. He said, “I wouldn’t be a happy iphone user if I broke mine within 3 weeks and obviously you aren’t either.” I don’t know what “new” means to them. maybe
Posted by MyStudio2
11 December 2007 @ 3pm
I recently received an iPhone for B-day/Christmas. I was extremely careful w/ new iPhone. It was in Swiss Gear Leather case, corners were exposed. Had phone less than week, noticed as I came out of Wal-Mart that the screen was cracked. It was attached to my purse! Mac refuses to replace it. Repairs $250! Put a thin piece of glass on a phone? Stand behind the product. My phone has two tiny pin head dings on one corner, probably from glancing against a shopping buggy, I will show everyone this cracked phone. So upset, disappointed, sad and angry.
Posted by oyster1
21 December 2007 @ 10am
Apple is a super wonderful company with amazing products! The iPhone is none the less just another addition to this. However, the screen is GLASS! It is more like a mini computer with a phone application. The name says “iPhone” and people will treat it as such without the high conscious attention to it’s care. Apple will replace certain customers iPhones under individual circumstances at “no charge”. I spent over $10,000 with Apple in the past 2 years along with my newest addition of an iPhone. Less than a month later it cracked while in a Tumi bag in an overhead airline bin. It was the fault of the high speed wind up there….:)
Anyway, if you would like to see all the research I did after originally being told by Apple that they would not replace it, please check out my webpage and followup NBC news story update. Good Luck and cheers you all!
http://www.billiardinstruction.com/iPhone.htm
Posted by diego88m
29 December 2007 @ 11pm
I cracked my iphone about a week after getting it. the guy at att told me to just yell my head off on the phone to some tech guy from apple and you could get another one and that it has worked for him 3 times. i tried my luck being the nice guy and it didnt work. i have been to 3 different stores and finally got a little bit of luck at the store in Century City for those who live in LA. after waiting 30 min for a manager and explaining everything he was very friendly and offered us a $50
discount so you can get a refurbished one for $200.
not that bad but id rather wait for the 3g iphone and pay another 400 for a fast one.