Apple Stores fixing cracked iPhone screens in-house
Apple’s little remarked decentralization of iPhone screen replacement services, installing the required equipment and displays at brick n’ mortar Apple Store locations, could be telling us a lot about the device’s future size and shape.
The Loop, current vehicle of MacCentral, Macworld and News.com doyen Jim Dalrymple, says that it has confirmed that iPhones with broken screens can be taken to an Apple Store location for onsite repair services — Cupertino has stocked its retail sites with specialty equipment and supplies. According to the Loop, “The machine (think big suction cup), which is located out of customer view in the back of the store, reportedly separates the iPhone from the screen, allowing a new one to be installed.”
See also:
— iPhone OS 3.0: Hands on with the original iPod touch
— Apple introduces the 2009 iPhone 3GS – speed, video, better …
— EU might force Apple into making iPhone batteries user replaceable …
Dalrymple adds that, due to a difference in manufactures, iPod touches with cracked or otherwise damaged screens can’t be repaired onsite at your local Apple Store. However, all three generational handset products—iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS—can be repaired in store.
Repair services covered by warranty—I’m guessing dropping or throwing aren’t—will be delivered free of charge. Off warranty services will set the user back $199.
Performing warranty service onsite is probably going to be very, very popular with customers as it gets them in and out perhaps in the span of a few hours or overnight.
Speaks volumes?
Is this kind of “service in the wild” common in the smartphone business or is this another example of Apple thinking outside the box? I’m guessing the latter.
Also, if Apple was planning to radically redesign the iPhone, would it have invested in the equipment and replacement screens, not to mention training of thousands of retail associates? Honestly, that’s a hard call to make as Cupertino isn’t shy about ditching “obsolete technologies”…
What’s your take?
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July 3rd, 2009
I was recently in my store. They can’t replace original iPhone displays, only 3G and 3GS.
July 8th, 2009
A much less expensive option for a lot of people living in larger cities (where you’ll find a Genius Bar) is to go to your local Craigslist site and do a search for “iPhone Screen Repair”. This will almost certainly turn up 2 or 3 companies in your local area that are doing the repair for under $100 and most of them can do it in under 30 minutes for you.
If you don’t live near a Genius Bar, another option is to do the same search on Google and you’ll find a number of companies that do the repair as a mail-in service for under a $100.
July 13th, 2009
I recently had my phone crack and I took it in to the apple store, eager to hear that they now repalaced the screens. What was failed to be mentioned to me is that they charge $199 to repair the screen. (hmm seems kinda high, knowing that THAT IS WHAT I PAID FOR THE PHONE!) I was very upset until I found http://www.iphone3gscreenrepair.com. They repaired my iPhone 3G screen for only $69.99 and it looked like new. They even offered me a 1 year warranty on the product. I was very impressed!