iPhone 11 Rear Camera Glass (Bottom Lens)

The rear glass has never been treated the same as the screen so yes, the price was always higher to “repair” (technically, replace). No surprise that the rear camera glass would be treated the same as the rear glass. I assume if you’ve been repairing iPhones for the last 3 years you’ve been aware of the rear glass area not being separately repaired the same way the front is. Also keep in mind that the AppleCare+ price is cheaper solely because of the warranty purchased. Otherwise that $29 screen repair is $199 ($329 for 11 pro max. $279 for 11 pro) if you don’t have AppleCare+. Breakdowns of the iPhone kind of give you an idea why the back isn’t actually repaired on the ones for at least the last few releases. Hate it happened to you. No clue what could have caused it. So far none of the ones in my house have had any issues including the 11 my son is using although I do worry if any of them are going to have damage it will be his (not a fan of his case so I have some concerns....despite the fact that he’s never damaged an iPhone).

I am curious to see what the smudge/fracture actually looks like. Are you able to share a picture of it?

Apple (not referring to 3rd party unauthorized repairers like yourself) does not repair the rear glass and in essence the rear camera lens. They replace the device. If it is cheaper and you feel like you are capable of repairing the lens on your own then that is an option....although you will void your warranty with an unauthorized repair. So the argument is moot as far as how much the parts are for the device versus what Apple charges. Honestly if that was a valid argument none of us would pay the amount that we do pay for these phones because it does not cost remotely close to what we pay when it comes to cost (not counting the cost of research, design, etc). Notice I never said it wasn’t repairable. I said that Apple does not repair. Huge difference. Just because they don’t repair something doesn’t mean that it can’t be. Might have to do with loss of water resistance (many that have had repairs in the past have posted about loss of water resistance after the fact and ending up with water damage when before the repair they didn’t have that problem). Ultimately, as unfortunate as it is your option is to use one of the methods they offered you or if you feel like you can get the parts and do the repair to try your hand at it if the warranty isn’t a concern for you. Or....despite it being visually unappealing....if the fracture hasn’t affected your camera use (not sure if it has) you could try waiting it out. I say this because like you said...you’re not sure how it could have happened and when you took it to the Apple Store (or did the chat....I now realize you never said you took it to be seen) they didn’t seem to know how it could have happened...there may be a small chance that others will experience the same unexplained issue to the point that Apple issues a recall and repair option. No guarantee but it’s happened. Even if you opted to pay to have it taken care of if later a recall is issued you would be able to get a refund as long as you keep your repair receipt. It’s never been cheap to be an Apple owner. So yes, authorized repairs can be a pain. I’ve been lucky enough to have had almost every iPhone since the 4 and not had to repair any of them or had any damage other than when my 4s was damaged in a car accident....and when the screen died on my 7 which was covered under the regular 1 year warranty so it was a free device replacement. But I’m well aware of what prices I face if anything did happen. I didn’t get into the habit of getting AppleCare until my X Max because of the price of the out of warranty repair is needed or screen repair. Haven’t had to use it thankfully and it’s added value to my resell of my device when I’ve opted to do it and it still had the coverage so the buyer had the peace of mind if anything happened they had coverage. Plus after my mom lost her iPhone at a football game I’ve been a huge fan of the Theft and Loss option. Not fun to pay more but it’s a personal call. Good luck with whatever you choose to do. Btw...if you didn’t go to an actual Apple Store to have them look at it and only did the chat...consider taking a second try and taking it in if one is available in your area or an authorized Apple Repair Facility like Best Buy is now...might luck up and get a break on swapping it out without the fees. No guarantee but you never know until you try.

Happened to my iPhone 11 Pro as well.

mysterious lens cover crack of the top (1.0) lens. A Very obvious light streak now appears when a light source is in the area. In flat light I don’t see a problem on the image but when I look at the lens cover I see the crack. No idea how it happened.

Same thing happened to me. Bottom glass on iPhone 11 shattered. Absolutely astonished that it cracked so easily. Apple really needs to fix this and offer a solution.

My camera glass cracked in 2 weeks of owning. No cause for it, happened overnight while charging. Apple won't acknowledge any problems

Any chance anyone can say if the phone is still water resistant and that there is no real damage to the inside? Im scared to use it while in the pool or in the shower since it cracked.