AppleCare+ iPhone 8 back screen glass replacement $99, not screen repair cost of $29
Users with AppleCare+ for the iPhone are accustomed to a relatively new $29 screen replacement from Apple -- but that only applies to the screen in the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, and not the back glass.
Disassemblies of the iPhone 8 family have shown a relatively simple disassembly process for a screen replacement. However, the back glass is retained with a significant quantity of glue and is essentially fused into the case assembly itself.
AppleInsider spoke with an assortment of Apple employees, with all of them confirming that a broken back-glass did not qualify for a $29 screen replacement. Instead, the back glass is generally subject to the $99 "other damage" fee, plus tax.
After two incidents of accidental damage a higher replacement cost is charged -- $349 for the iPhone 8, and $399 for the iPhone 8 Plus. Additionally, we were told that in some incidents that the "out of warranty" replacement cost would apply in cases of "mass destruction" of the rear case.
AppleCare+ extends Apple's limited warranty on the iPhone for an extra year, and adds up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage for a nominal fee. Coverage for the iPhone 8 costs $129, with $149 for the iPhone 8 Plus. An AppleCare+ plan must be purchased alongside a device, or within 60 days.
Disassemblies of the iPhone 8 family have shown a relatively simple disassembly process for a screen replacement. However, the back glass is retained with a significant quantity of glue and is essentially fused into the case assembly itself.
AppleInsider spoke with an assortment of Apple employees, with all of them confirming that a broken back-glass did not qualify for a $29 screen replacement. Instead, the back glass is generally subject to the $99 "other damage" fee, plus tax.
After two incidents of accidental damage a higher replacement cost is charged -- $349 for the iPhone 8, and $399 for the iPhone 8 Plus. Additionally, we were told that in some incidents that the "out of warranty" replacement cost would apply in cases of "mass destruction" of the rear case.
AppleCare+ extends Apple's limited warranty on the iPhone for an extra year, and adds up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage for a nominal fee. Coverage for the iPhone 8 costs $129, with $149 for the iPhone 8 Plus. An AppleCare+ plan must be purchased alongside a device, or within 60 days.
Comments
I'm curious to hear what the out of warranty cost to replace a display is on 8/8+/X. I've owned iPhones since 2008 and have never broken the display and I don't use a case. I'm just careful. So, to me, the only reason it would make sense to get AppleCare+ was for the liquid damage, but now that iPhones are water resistant it seems like an even tougher sell.
The last couple of years I've felt it isn't particularly worth it to purchase AC+ when you consider it costs $129 in the first place and then, formerly, it was $79 (maybe $99?) to replace the display (before the price drop to $29) when a display replacement without AC+ was $129. AppleCare+ extends the 1 year warranty to 2 and gives 2 incidents of accidental damage covered by a deductible. Before the price drop to $29 it made much less sense to pay $129 for AC+ if you were worried about display damage. On a 6/6s/7 without AC+ it would cost $260 for 2 display replacements. With AC+ it would be $129 initially and then $79 and another $79 for 2 display replacements for a total of $287. How did that make sense at all?
Full disclosure: I'm on the iUP which includes AppleCare+ now, so I get it anyway. Before iUP I only got AppleCare+ on my iPhone 6, never before that. But I've gotten on my iPad Pros because 1) it costs less to purchase than it does for iPhones and 2) WUR is $59, that decision seems elementary.
I also notice that people with cases seem to be less careful and more likely to drop their phone. And guess what, I've also seen many many iPhones with broken screens that were in a case. Granted, breaking the back glass while using a case is less likely than the display. Just stop dropping iPhones.
I'd be interested to see later today when I get my 8+ how slippery it is with the glass backing. I'd still use a case though. I always just use Apple's cases and it doesn't make the phone look ugly IMO. The case matches my Apple Watch band so I think thats cool. Plus, I don't need to show off my fancy phone. Everyone and their brother has one so its not like you have something different from everyone else in the grand scheme of things. I'd rather not draw attention to myself like that.
IMO, thats the entire point of AppleCare+. Cracking the back of the phone is accidental which is covered under the $99 deductible. Why would anyone think the back should be $29 too? Apple wouldn't fix any other phone for less than $99 for anything other than the screen. I know this won't be a popular comment, but I think anyone bitching here is missing the point of AppleCare+.
Isn't that obvious, though? It's $29 for "screen replacement", not "$29 for any bit of glass to be replaced, even the back bit - which isn't a screen."
Extended warranties are always debatable no matter what it is. Its a game of Russian roulette. Do you want to take the chance nothing will happen, or do you just want the comfort of knowing when shit does happen its covered? You could say the same thing about extended warranties on cars...even factory backed ones. Some think its a waste of money, some think its a waste of money and wish they bought it in the end, and some just plain think its always worth the money.
And as I mentioned, I've owned iPhones since early 2008 starting with the original. 5 of them I didn't get AppleCare+ on and I never had an incident where I would have had to use it. That's around $500-$600 I didn't spend on AppleCare+ for no reason. And now there's even less of a reason, considering water resistance. The most common iPhone repair is broken display, liquid damage is up there but not even close to display damage. Displays are damaged most of the time due to drops. If people stopped dropping their phones there would be significantly less display repairs.