Filed under: Hardware, Apple, iPhone
Apple to replace water-damaged iPhones via out-of-warranty service
ifoAppleStore is reporting that Apple has instituted a new policy that will let iPhone owners swap their liquid-damaged iPhones for replacements. For $199US, customers can swap their defunct phones for a refurb unit, provided that it succumbed to an out-of-warranty encounter with liquid. We couldn't determine if sweat-induced failures are covered by this program, but we'll let you know if we find out.
*Update: Apple has told us that a replacement under out-of-warranty service would not renew a customer's contract. We apologize for the error.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
annerbananer said 10:20AM on 5-05-2009
If it missing glass or other pieces in addition to water damage, you can't get an out of warranty replacement. It only covers the water damage. I'm wiklling to bet your ATT contract has to be in good standing, as well.
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txstchmike said 10:13AM on 5-05-2009
I think they've been doing this since the beginning for all replacement phones would be 199 for 8 gig and 299 for 16 gig and you'd have to renew contract... that would go for cracked screens, water, zombie attack, basically anything...
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Chris Gardner said 10:26AM on 5-05-2009
They most certainly did not do this previously for water-logged replacement phones. I bought a 3G and a week later (stupidly) left it in a pair of pants that went through the washer. I ended up having to spend $800 in two weeks. $300 for the first phone, $500 for the second (which they did not cover under subsidy). Plus, it ended up extending my 2 year contract 1 additional week. While I don't think Apple should've necessarily covered me, their policy before was pretty much "you left it in the rain, pony up full price".
Jimothy said 10:26AM on 5-05-2009
As someone who has tried to get a water damaged iPhone replaced, I can tell you this is a new policy. I was told getting my phone replaced would set me back five Benjamins.
Since my iPhone more or less works (it exhibits some major funkiness with the home button, and there's visible damage in/behind the screen), I'm still planning on holding off for another month or two to see if the summer brings a new iPhone, which I expect it will.
C.K. Sample III said 1:18PM on 5-05-2009
This policy has been in effect for a while now. When returning from Christmas 2007, my wife spilt water into her first generation iPhone while we were flying to LA. We went to the Apple Store on the Promenade in Santa Monica and they replaced her iPhone with a refurbished one for $100 off retail and renewed her contract's start date.
I should note that no one knew about the policy until we spoke with a Genius at the Genius Bar, so that may be why some people didn't think it existed.
david_libby said 1:50PM on 5-05-2009
Ummm, sorry, no, or at least it hasn't been consistent. I took my drizzle-damaged iPhone to the Genius Bar at the Chestnut Hill mall, MA Apple store about a month and a half ago and was told I was out of luck - new 8GB iPhone for $399.
knower said 10:39AM on 5-05-2009
Not quite right. $199 replaces any liquid damaged iPhone with no alteration to your contract. Previously you were required to buy a new phone, which would restart your contract. Broken screens can be repaired, or swapped. Only massively damaged phones (ie in pieces) now have to be done at full price.
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Rick said 11:11AM on 5-05-2009
This is a general practice. Get your T-Mobile Anyhting phone wet and see what T-Mobile does. Once it's wet, the phone is not covered under warranty, nothing new here relative to Apple.
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Joseph said 8:23PM on 5-05-2009
T-Mobile? Apple? I don't get the comparison?
MDROL said 11:11AM on 5-05-2009
Just wait for a new one- I really do think there will be a newer model compatible with the new LTE standard (Apple is in talks with Verizon). Since Verizon is bypassing the whole CDMA to GSM tech swap and going straight to the Long Term Evolution of GSM, I'm pretty sure Apple will nickle and dime (just like Verizon) you for all new changes in the upcoming new device. Apple has done it many times, "Give me your Money".
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apeguero said 11:16AM on 5-05-2009
I mistakenly dropped my 1st Gen iPhone in the toilet. I immediately pulled it out (come people, there was nothing else in the toilet and it was my toilet). To my surprise, it works. This happened two weekends ago and it works just fine. The only thing I think could have saved my iPhone was the Agent 18 case it was in. Other than that, pure luck I guess. I did wash my hands all day for that day though.
I wonder if the Apple Care I bought for that phone would've covered it...
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Kristy said 1:14PM on 5-06-2009
I dropped my 16GB iphone twice in the toilet. It still worked the first time after putting it near the heater for 48 hours and letting it stand for 3 more days. After two weeks i dropped it again (crazy), I did the same thing but it didn't work anymore. I let it stand for 2 weeks then put it again for 48 hrs near the heater. Now it opened but it is getting stucked on the apple logo. I used a compressed duster and clean the inside. Let it stand for another 24 hours then used the compressed duster again to clean the inside. Now it continued to the home screen but still hanging or sometimes restarting. I used itunes and restored the default setting and reinstall OS/upgrades. All data and apps were erased but now it is finally working fine - i can just get new apps later.
justflybob said 11:20AM on 5-05-2009
Hey, at least it's a better option than shelling out $499 for a new 16GB model.
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Joanna D said 11:28AM on 5-05-2009
As nice as this story is, it would be good if at least one website reporting it went the extra mile and found out what the policy is for the 100+ other carriers supplying iPhones to customers.
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Alexis said 11:33AM on 5-05-2009
I think this is really great!! I think my iPhone has caused me so much stress and paranoia, that knowing a replacement option is available is great. Ok, its not too cheap but at least you know its there! When the first $600 iPhones came out (ya I bought one) I was soooo freaked out I would damage it, that I became OCD about! I'm much better now!! =P
Alex - Professional Cutie
www.mioamoredesign.com
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michaelgcohen said 11:47AM on 5-05-2009
I'd be interested in knowing if this is going to happen in Canada as well...We generally get screwed here
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michaelgcohen said 11:50AM on 5-05-2009
Check out the costs for out of warranty fees in Canada - http://www.apple.com/ca/support/iphone/service/exchange/#repair5
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Level 5 said 11:59AM on 5-05-2009
http://www.sourcingmap.com/dock-connector-silicone-cap-cover-for-apple-ipod-iphone-p-23553.html
Problem solved. Similar stuff is easily found for the heaphones. The dock port also keeps dust/lint from pants pockets out.
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sepirioth said 12:12PM on 5-05-2009
this is obviously a new policy, anyone who knows anyone who tried going to get any phone replaced by any carrier etc. its always the same, see red (or purple or pink or whatever that phone has) and you see red too :). Not an apple fanboy but this is def cool and awesome customer service that lets face it, they dont HAVE to do.
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sepirioth said 12:13PM on 5-05-2009
THAAAATS why you guys booed the national anthem during hockey games, makes sense now :)
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