MaddyD2023 wrote:
Thank you for your reply. The iPad warranty has expired even though the iPad still worked the glass was shattered badly. I just needed the glass (digitizer) replaced. Rather than having the repair done by Apple or other 3rd party technicians I used this one to learn how to make the replacement. That process went well just that according to y_p_w the digitizer was a bad part. Now the iPad is just trash so I will recycle it.
But again - Apple doesn't actually repair an iPad and give it back to the customer. They have a flat rate replacement cost (regardless of storage capacity of a particular model) for any reason why it needs to be replaced other than for an eligible battery service. With the battery service, the general idea is that the whole thing will be intact and might just need to be reconditioned to put it back in as a service replacement with a new battery, although I suspect they usually just put the logic board in a new case with a new front screen assembly. But the "other damage" price could be for anything up to a completely nonworking iPad that was accidentally dropped off a table to just cracked glass.
For an iPad 8th gen that's $249 (US) for "other damage" or $99 for the battery service. But again, that $249 can be for an iPad that just has dents in the case and works, where the glass has broken but it still sort of works, or where it just won't turn on. I know some people won't pay Apple's price because they consider whatever the problem to be minor and not worth the same price as if it were otherwise trashed.
Third party repair shops might do just a glass/digitizer repair, but I understand that many prefer to do a complete front screen assembly replacement because it's generally more reliable. I saw the result of a glass/digitizer only repair in an iPad Mini 2 and it looked pretty bad, although it worked. They tried to reuse the home button (a new front screen assembly would have its own button) and it was kind of off. A friend had it done overseas where it cost less than $20 US. But there were noticeable glue marks and stains between the glass and the display. I don't even think Apple makes money with this service as they put a lot of money into it.