Roger Fingas
Apple Stores will soon reportedly adopt two new measures related to the problem of cracked iPhone screens, including allowing some broken iPhones into its Reuse and Recycle trade-in program, and offering installation of purchased screen protectors.
Beginning this week, Apple Stores should be able to give credit for iPhone 5s and iPhone 6/6 Plus models with damaged screens, or even broken buttons and cameras, sources told 9to5Mac. Although there are limitations on the amount of acceptable damage, Apple is said to think this will encourage more people to buy a new iPhone instead of opting for a screen repair.
Apple is allegedly offering $50 for an iPhone 5s, but $200 for an iPhone 6, and $250 for a 6 Plus.
Plastic screen protector installation is claimed to be launching at some stores on Thursday, made possible by a partnership with at least one protector maker — Belkin — on distributing dedicated machines. If the process fails, Apple will offer a free protector replacement and try again.
Apple Stores would previously refuse to install such protectors, since doing so manually carries a greater risk of failure. By hand it's easier to install a protector at a crooked angle, or catch air bubbles or debris under the surface.
Charles Martin
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Malcolm Owen
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12 Comments
Is this UK also or just US, do you know, please? Thanks
Wow...this is great. I will be joining the Apple upgrade program next year and it will be good to know that I'll get a trade in on my 6 Plus even if I damage it before then.
I'm amazed at how many smartphones I see in use with cracks or even very smashed screens. People seem content to work with a bad screen for quite a while, awaiting a phone upgrade or saving enough for a new screen or phone I guess...
The Apple Store installed such protectors on my iPhone 6s and 6s Plus last October. No problem!
My local Apple store has quite happily installed screen protectors, which I'd purchased at that store, on all of my iPhones, dating back to the 3GS. I guess they're just making it official now, or are they going to charge for it instead of doing it gratis.