Apple to replace water-damaged iPhones for $199
Careless iPhone owners who've submerged their handsets in some form of liquid can now take Apple up on an unadvertised policy that offers replacements for a flat fee of $199.
According to ifoAppleStore, the new policy pertains to out-of-warranty incidents that would normally require the purchase of a new phone, but does so at the expense of triggering an extention of the owner?s two-year AT&T wireless service contract.
Customers who trade-in their water damaged phones will be given a factory refurbished model -- not a new iPhone -- and can then transfer the SIM card from their damaged handset into the refurbished device.
Apple began including liquid submersion indicators, or LSIs, in its portable products around the time it introduced its first iPhone. They irreversibly change color once they come in contact with a liquid, thereby offering the company's retail store staff and authorized repair specialists an easy way to determine if a customer caused damage to their product with liquids -- incidents that aren't covered under Apple's standard warranties.
The iPhone 3G has four LSIs, one in the headset jack, one in the dock connector, and two others located internally. Similarly, both the 13-inch unibody MacBook and unibody MacBook Pros each contain four LSIs spread across their inner chassis, diagrams of which can be seen here.
An LSI on the first-gen iPhone can be seen as the white material inside the headphone jack.
ifo speculates that Apple's policy change on water-damaged iPhones could be a means of clearing out inventory of the current iPhone 3G ahead of new models expected this summer. However, an informed commenter points out that it's more likely an easing of general policy given that offer is valid for first-generation iPhones and costs $199 regardless of the generation or capacity of the iPhone.
According to ifoAppleStore, the new policy pertains to out-of-warranty incidents that would normally require the purchase of a new phone, but does so at the expense of triggering an extention of the owner?s two-year AT&T wireless service contract.
Customers who trade-in their water damaged phones will be given a factory refurbished model -- not a new iPhone -- and can then transfer the SIM card from their damaged handset into the refurbished device.
Apple began including liquid submersion indicators, or LSIs, in its portable products around the time it introduced its first iPhone. They irreversibly change color once they come in contact with a liquid, thereby offering the company's retail store staff and authorized repair specialists an easy way to determine if a customer caused damage to their product with liquids -- incidents that aren't covered under Apple's standard warranties.
The iPhone 3G has four LSIs, one in the headset jack, one in the dock connector, and two others located internally. Similarly, both the 13-inch unibody MacBook and unibody MacBook Pros each contain four LSIs spread across their inner chassis, diagrams of which can be seen here.
An LSI on the first-gen iPhone can be seen as the white material inside the headphone jack.
ifo speculates that Apple's policy change on water-damaged iPhones could be a means of clearing out inventory of the current iPhone 3G ahead of new models expected this summer. However, an informed commenter points out that it's more likely an easing of general policy given that offer is valid for first-generation iPhones and costs $199 regardless of the generation or capacity of the iPhone.
Comments
It doesn't take submerging to void your warranty. A single ill-guided raindrop will do the job (the sensors are practically on the outside of the phone!), as will condensation common in humid climates where, say, you often walk from air-conditioned rooms into humid warm air. The sensors produce a very high percentage of false-positives, but how can you prove that to Apple? Everyone says, But I didn't spill anything on it.
Everything and anything to get that market share back from RIM!
Teckstud, my friend, you never cease to ruffle my feathers. If you hate Apple that much, please leave this forum!
Do you really believe what you write? Let me tell you this: Apple is a LEADER. Blackberry, and all others for that matter, is a FOLLOWER. Leaders go their own way. I for one believe that Apple couldn't care less who is number one. They look at the big picture. And I strongly believe that picture looks great in Apple's eyes.
Please go and take your friend Italiankid with you. Goodbye!
Teckstud, my friend, you never cease to ruffle my feathers. If you hate Apple that much, please leave this forum!
Do you really believe what you write? Let me tell you this: Apple is a LEADER. Blackberry, and all others for that matter, is a FOLLOWER. Leaders go their own way. I for one believe that Apple couldn't care less who is number one. They look at the big picture. And I strongly believe that picture looks great in Apple's eyes.
Please go and take your friend Italiankid with you. Goodbye!
I don't hate Apple- just stating the facts Ma'am. It's great for the consumer that this is now an option- but is it a mere coincidence that this is announced after those 1st quarter results?
LIGHTEN UP!
And Blackberry is a follower? HA-What drugs are you on? They have been the LEADER in smartphones for like how many years?
Though amusing, the lede sentence is misleading: "Careless iPhone owners who've submerged their handsets in some form of liquid can now take Apple up on an unadvertised policy that offers replacements for a flat fee of $199."
It doesn't take submerging to void your warranty. A single ill-guided raindrop will do the job (the sensors are practically on the outside of the phone!), as will condensation common in humid climates where, say, you often walk from air-conditioned rooms into humid warm air. The sensors produce a very high percentage of false-positives, but how can you prove that to Apple? Everyone says, But I didn't spill anything on it.
A lot of people say those LSI are easy to trigger but they do in fact range from light pink to dark dark red. I've seen an Apple Store deal with a submerged phone. The sensors on the bottom were dark red but despite this they also checked the inside ones to give the guy a fair chance. All 4 were dark dark red, not a result of humidity or casually laying it in some water on a table.
People who want to be able to destroy their iPhone & get it replaced free need to look into a 3rd party insurer, they do exist. Some insurance companies like Travelers or State Farm will actually insure phones, definitely worth it if you are accident prone.
The 16GB situation is the most odd to me- OOW 16 GB phone would run 249 or 299 depending on the unit, and now we can submerge it in liquid and get it replaced for cheaper? Does this mean all replacements run 199 now? No matter what the model and size?
And the idea that Apple is trying to liquidate the existing inventory is odd as well- why do that if you need units for service replacement in the future?
Maybe someone else can shed some light on this...
What is baffling me is the fact that the replacement cost is the same across the board- 1st and 2nd gen, 4 8 and 16GB- doesn't matter.
The 16GB situation is the most odd to me- OOW 16 GB phone would run 249 or 299 depending on the unit, and now we can submerge it in liquid and get it replaced for cheaper? Does this mean all replacements run 199 now? No matter what the model and size?
And the idea that Apple is trying to liquidate the existing inventory is odd as well- why do that if you need units for service replacement in the future?
Maybe someone else can shed some light on this...
These are refurbished iPhones so the price isn't as much as a new handset. They are obviously clearing inventory and they apparently feel they have plenty of parts for repairs if they are doing this. Since you have to extend your contract for another two years Apple is getting their subsidization fee from AT&T on top of the $199 and since we are going into a huge lull in iPhone sales prior to the launch of the 3rd iPhone sales right now are a good sale.
BTW, are you allowed to go from a 4GB iPhone to a 16GB iPhone 3G or are they only allowing for a horizontal move in capacity between the original and 3G iPhones, except for the 4GB model which would have to be the 8Gb, of course. If it's any capacity then why wouldn't everyone get the 16Gb model?
These are refurbished iPhones so the price isn't as much as a new handset. They are obviously clearing inventory and they apparently feel they have plenty of parts for repairs if they are doing this. Since you have to extend your contract for another two years Apple is getting their subsidization fee from AT&T on top of the $199 and since we are going into a huge lull in iPhone sales prior to the launch of the 3rd iPhone sales right now are a good sale.
BTW, are you allowed to go from a 4GB iPhone to a 16GB iPhone 3G or are they only allowing for a horizontal move in capacity between the original and 3G iPhones, except for the 4GB model which would have to be the 8Gb, of course. If it's any capacity then why wouldn't everyone get the 16Gb model?
The thing about "refurbished" iPhones is that Apple only reuses the main board. Everything else on the phone is brand new (ie battery, display, outer casing, etc.). And I forgot about the extension of the two year contract- that's gonna suck for people that have their phone replaced and then see a new iPhone come out this summer or fall.
And when you're upgrading to the 3G, you can get whatever size you want- no restrictions to my knowledge. But that's the retail side of things. If you are having it replaced via service, it's my understanding that you have to replace with the same model and size. I might be wrong about this, since it's been less than a week since Apple started doing this company wide.
Teckstud, my friend, you never cease to ruffle my feathers. If you hate Apple that much, please leave this forum!
Do you really believe what you write? Let me tell you this: Apple is a LEADER. Blackberry, and all others for that matter, is a FOLLOWER. Leaders go their own way. I for one believe that Apple couldn't care less who is number one. They look at the big picture. And I strongly believe that picture looks great in Apple's eyes.
Please go and take your friend Italiankid with you. Goodbye!
Apple was the leader but was just dethroned by the curve.
I suppose in know time flat, depending in 3.0, they should be in top. I find it intersting though that people can't stand AT&T. Wonder how good the new update will be or will apple in apple typical fashion, add say tehering but require a new phone, new contract?
Of course it's perfect timing to "announce" that they're doing this, right before the next iPhone. It's getting rid of inventory if you ask me. A smart move by Apple.
Smart yes but a very bad indicator for current owners. This means a new phone and 3.0 will be very limited on the 1st ten 3G. Am not surprised at all. Already have a plan and hats to offer my phone to my wonderful wife. Or sell it if she says no.
Apple was the leader but was just dethroned by the curve.
I suppose in know time flat, depending in 3.0, they should be in top. I find it intersting though that people can't stand AT&T. Wonder how good the new update will be or will apple in apple typical fashion, add say tehering but require a new phone, new contract?
I would assume that tethering would be considered an add-on to existing contracts (no extension required).
I've seen an Apple Store deal with a submerged phone. The sensors on the bottom were dark red but despite this they also checked the inside ones to give the guy a fair chance.
I've been to the apple store many times and I have NEVER seen them take an iPhone apart in order to see the internal water sensors.
I have a friend who had a phone in for one of the 2.0 software bugs and they claimed it was water damaged. (I was standing right there with him. The earphone sensor was tripped and the bottom dock sensor was still white. My buddy said the phone had never gotten wet, but had been in damp locations (steamy bathrooms, etc).
So we suggested they check the two additional sensors inside the phone.
The "Geniuses" all claimed there were only two sensors, one in each end of the phone. We stepped over to the Macs on display and surfed up the web pages showing exactly where the two additional sensors were located.
The Geniuses then changed their story and steadfastly refused to open the phone to check these sensors. They insisted any one sensor being tripped was cause enough to void the warranty, and they had strict instructions never to open the phones.
So in short, I think you made it up about them checking the other 2 in store. It just does not happen.
Of course it's perfect timing to "announce" that they're doing this, right before the next iPhone. It's getting rid of inventory if you ask me. A smart move by Apple.
The timing of this has nothing to do with getting rid of inventory.
The truth is that Apple has lost a couple of court claims (or quietly settled out of court) regarding these lame external sensors and has had to give new phones to the claimants.
They have done everything they can do in order to hush this up, including pulling threads from the Apple forums. These threads still exist in Google's cache:
http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache...&ct=clnk&gl=us
http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache...&ct=clnk&gl=us
No other manufacturer offers anything like this.
Everything and anything to get that market share back from RIM!
The timing of this has nothing to do with getting rid of inventory.
The truth is that Apple has lost a couple of court claims (or quietly settled out of court) regarding these lame external sensors and has had to give new phones to the claimants.
They have done everything they can do in order to hush this up, including pulling threads from the Apple forums. These threads still exist in Google's cache:
http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache...&ct=clnk&gl=us
http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache...&ct=clnk&gl=us
wow
Great post . Good read . I loved the part about two peeps went skiing with their I phones in there pockets .