Replacement silver back?

I would bet that this is possible for a fee. Contact Apple to find out.

There are one or two threads on this issue that were posted previously.

Here is one of the threads:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5197867&#5197867

mikeab 🙂

yeah well one got his replaced and said it was free of charge. But he also stated that part is worth $250. I immediately rebuttled. It not worth that much. But if it is not affecting the way your phone is operating then they might charge you cuz it is cosmetic.

I would imagine $250 would be about right given the labor involved. Hacker blogs notwithstanding, the iPhone is not easily dissassmbled and reassembled.

ismant,

The repair of an iPhone for anything that is not covered by the warranty is done for a flat rate repair. Whether it is accidental damage, abuse, cosmetic, or the warranty has expired.

The cost is $199 + $6.95 for shipping for the 4 GB, and $249 + $6.95 for the 8GB. Batteries are $79 + $6.95. This is discussed in the iPhone Service FAQ which can be read here:
http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/service/faq/

If it is something that is covered under the warranty, or AppleCare Protection Plan then there is no charge, unless you choose the option to use a loaner phone while it is in for repair.

Hope this helps,

Nathan C.

$250 is outrageous. How about $40 and some skillz. Good luck :O)

http://www.ifixit.com/iPhone-Parts/iPhone-Rear-Panel/IF105-000

That's not at all outrageous.

Palm had a similar policy -- 150.00 labor repair plus the cost of shipping. You cracked your glass on the Palm Treo in your pocket, you paid 150.00 for the privilege of them repairing it, even though the glass itself was covered.

That is the way business is done.

RonAnnArbor,

There is a difference. If the hardware is covered, so is the labor, and there is no charge. No charge for the box shipped to you, overnight shipping to the repair depot, and overnight shipping back.

The flat rate repair is for whenever there is no coverage for the iPhone.

Hope this helps,

Nathan C.

Correct, nathan....which is what the OP was asking about --a cosmetic repair -- highly unlikely they will cover that.

iResQ has announced a full service iPhone repair here:

http://www.iresq.com/iphone/

I don't get it. It looks like the prices for battery replacement and screen replacement are exactly the same as you would pay Apple for the same service. I might be missing something, but why would anyone want to do that? If I have my local mechanic work on my car, it's usually because it's considerably less expensive than taking it to the dealer.

Also, they do not appear to be an Apple certified repair service, which means that having them work on your iPhone can void your warranty.

One good thing, I guess...for those who are not permitted to bring camera phones into their workplaces, they now have a way to have the cameras removed from their iPhones.

The OP requested a repair service to replace the aluminum backplate, so I posted the only one I had read about (outside of Apple). This is the purpose of the thread, no? As far as iResQ's policies or pricing for iPhone, I have no clue, and have nothing whatsoever to do with them. My guess is that their prices will likely moderate when they have competition to deal with... 😉

My guess is that their prices will likely moderate when they have competition to deal with...

That's very true. Once the iPhone hits its first birthday, suddenly there will be a glut of folks with unwarrantied iPhones (at least those who didn't buy Apple Care). The competition will be on.

Nope, Apple never backs down on repair cost. I have had several ipod repairs needed. Ipod mini and ipod video. all head phone jack. Each with headphone jack issues. They said the repair would cost the same for a new unit. For the mini was out of date and opted to use it for memory storage. ipod video it was still in warranty but that sisnt matter cuz it was accidental damage and not cover. The was examnined it and said it looks new and gave me replacemnet under the radar. advising that I wont be as lucky next time the crap happens again. They said buy a new one cause that is how much the repair is or go to these list of guys.

All but iresQ wouldn't answer any form of contact and I kept gettting answering service for a whole week. took them another week to get me the repair kit but for a small price. So I was happy.