Broken 5S Screen

Question

Level 2

199 points

Broken 5S Screen

So, I dropped my 9-day old perfect iphone 5S and smashed the front screen. I have a 3 pm Genius Bar appt but am seeing so many different opinions of what to expect, does anyone have any insight??

1. some people say at their discretion, Genius may just give you a new phone. Free. Have to say this seems unlikely, from Apple.

2. some people say they will give me a refurb for $229. This sounds more like Apple, and not really such a great solution. I don't want a refurb...especially for another $229!! If it's a brand new one - then maybe. Ugh.

3. some people say they'll replace the screen for $149. This might be ok - especially if it's same day.

Other people are saying it can be done cheaply at independent cell phone shops. But you void your warranty, which I don't necessarily care so much about. After this, I'm putting a case on it, etc.

Do people have thoughts/recommendations??

Thanks so much!!

Andrew

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9), 2.3ghz i7 quad; 512 SSD; 16 gb RAM

Posted on Nov 7, 2013 8:15 AM

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Answer 1

tonefox

Level 6

9,374 points

Nov 7, 2013 9:29 AM in response to Andrew Lloyd

In order of likelihood, 2, 3 then 1. Name any other product which is replaced free of chage if you smash it. You have no need to doubt a refurb. It has a new case and a new battery and has been carefully checked to be indistinguishable inside and out from a new phone. Some Apple stores will replace the glass, but you do not even state what country you are in. Some people have been lucky enough to get a free replacement, but it is extremely unusual. When you go in there, be nice.

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Answer 2

Andrew Lloyd Author

Level 2

199 points

Nov 7, 2013 9:44 AM in response to tonefox

Oh - thanks Tonefox. I'm in the US - NYC, so I'm headed to the flagship 5th Ave store.

Yes, I'm coming around to the notion that maybe a refurb will be fine. It's just galling to spend $200 on the phone last week - and now spend another $230 - for a phone that was someone else's, albeit briefly. I'm still in the honeymoon new iphone-fetish phase...I guess that's over now, huh?

It is true I'm at fault for putting it in my softball bag - then forgetting it was there and opening it to have the phone fall face first on a relatively soft dirt surface. It's also my 3rd straight iPhone; last week I bought my 5th or 6th Mac, a super expensive MBP...iPad, appleTV, time capsule etc etc etc...for goodness' sake, it would be nice for the apple gods to smile on me with a nice free replacement...

Anyway, we shall see and either way, life goes on. I shall certainly be nice when I go.

Thanks...:)

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Answer 3

tonefox

Level 6

9,374 points

Nov 7, 2013 10:01 AM in response to Andrew Lloyd

Good luck! 🙂

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Answer 4

Andrew Lloyd Author

Level 2

199 points

Nov 7, 2013 2:44 PM in response to tonefox

Well, for posterity and anyone who suffers a similar disaster...

I was the first guy at the 5th Ave store to come in with a broken 5S screen since its release, so that's a distinction of some kind.

Unfortunately, there is no replacement part even available for the 5S yet. Apparently the 5 glass is not compatible with the 5S, which seems logical given the home buttons are different. So the $149 replacement option for the 5 is not available at this point.

So, it became a $269 ($292 with tax) full phone replacement. Brand new phone. Fortunately they had it.

So that's 2 iPhone 5S' in as many weeks, and lots and lots of money. Including the $39 case - not taking chances anymore.

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Answer 5

FelipeV

Level 6

12,117 points

Nov 7, 2013 2:48 PM in response to Andrew Lloyd

FWIW it seems you got to the Apple Store a bit too early....

http://9to5mac.com/2013/11/06/apple-stores-to-soon-offer-iphone-5s-5c-screen-rep lacements-other-repairs/

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