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Apple to replace water-damaged iPhones via out-of-warranty service

by Dave Caolo May 5th 2009 at 10:00AM

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. Here's the catch: Said swap renews your 2-year contract with AT&T -- so it's pretty much like buying a new phone, except if you were to do that out of contract it would cost you $499 for a 16GB unit.*

Of course, this could also be another way to clear current iPhone inventory in preparation for a new model.

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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ifoAppleStore is reporting that Apple has instituted a new policy that will let iPhone owners swap their liquid-damaged iPhones for...
 

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Jennifer

Can anyone tell me when this policy officially began? At&t is claiming it didn't begin until the 3gs came out, but obviously that is wrong.

Thank you

July 16 2009 at 4:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
srt6579

do you have to turn your old phone in to get the replacement unit?

May 17 2009 at 4:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dsidaway

I just returned from the apple store... I dropped my phone in a river this past weekend. After reading this post, I tried to return my water damaged phone for a refurbished unit - no go. The only option was to purchase a new phone at full price.

May 08 2009 at 2:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to dsidaway's comment
michaelgcohen

I was able to make the swap at an Apple store in Toronto (Canada) - $229 and no extension to my contract...They did mention that it is only one swap per customer but beyond that everything went great...

May 11 2009 at 9:24 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Allister

Hmmmm. A good way to get rid of soon-to-be-obsolete stock?

May 06 2009 at 4:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
reindhar7

Do they check if you have an AT&T account ?

May 06 2009 at 1:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Eric

Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but what is different between this and simply buying another subsidized phone and extending your contract by two years?

May 05 2009 at 12:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Eric's comment
Eric

Never mind, I did misunderstand... your contract is not extended.

May 05 2009 at 12:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sepirioth

THAAAATS why you guys booed the national anthem during hockey games, makes sense now :)

May 05 2009 at 12:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sepirioth

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.

May 05 2009 at 12:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Level 5

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.

May 05 2009 at 11:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
michaelgcohen

Check out the costs for out of warranty fees in Canada - http://www.apple.com/ca/support/iphone/service/exchange/#repair5

May 05 2009 at 11:50 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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