iPhone XS Max camera lens weak/defective?

It just happened to me too. I just noticed the crack today and I went straight to Apple store to fix it after setting an appointment. Instead, the guy asked me to pay $500 to repair it when I insisted I never dropped this phone. I just opened it and activated it on the box last week (<7 days of use). I understand anything can happen but that is not me. I take care of my Apple products since iPhone 1 and this is the first time Apple let me down on the Customer Service side of it. I contacted Apple Support now and see how this is going to pan out. This looks like a design flaw in my opinion. How can a camera lens crack on its own? Researching this more it sounds like this has been happening even on iPhone X's Dual Camera system. It is just disappointing that they want to charge you $500 for an already expensive phone to begin with and they are not owning this issue.

If you have AppleCare+, $99.

If you do not have AppleCare +, $599.

iPhone Repair - Official Apple Support

However you may want to plead your case with the store manager, they may be willing to help you out somehow.

Well, I didn’t have a crack in my camera lens. Instead, the whole dang thing fell off!! I now have the two cameras completely exposed with zero points of impact anywhere on the phone and zero damage to the surrounding area OR the lens itself. I have too babied this thing since I got it and it looks like the adhesive apple used just wore off.

And of course, I was told it was my problem to deal with. I’m going to keep calling them until they fix this. This is not worth $500 much less the $200 deductible I’d have to pay through Verizon...

Purchased iPhone XS Max on Christmas Eve. Had it for only one week and the camera lense is chipping away. The phone has been in case since time of purchase and NO I didn’t not drop it. Went to Verizon to ask about the defect, they were clueless about the situation. Referred me to the apple store and they pretty much told me it was my problem. This is ridiculous and apple need to do something about!

There are a variety of third party cases on the market that add a very high degree of protection for the camera lens and I would recommend investigating one of them.

As an example, here is an Otterbox Defender:

The same exact thing happened to me this morning. I have babied it since I got it 2 weeks ago. Never dropped never out of case or anything. I’m kinda upset about it cuz I know apple gonna wanna tear my pockets up financially to fix it. I might have to just leave it since it doesnt seem to be affecting the camera so far but i did order the tempered glass camera protectors this morning cuz of it. Hopefully that helps

Also happened to me. Same answer from the Apple Store, they offered me a repair for 600 EUR. Cannot be, I used it so carefully the last 2 weeks, there is no impact visible. Like so it makes no sense to me to buy a high end device, in my opinion Apple needs to rethink this case.

Why does it "have" to be a manufacturing issue?

When placed back down on a surface, the camera lens is the first thing to contact surfaces, even if the phone is in a case (for most cases on the market.)

There have been some who have had luck having Apple replace the lens under warranty, and of course if you have AppleCare + it is covered as one of your accidental damage claims.

Yes, very unfortunate design and follow up on Apples end. I bought the Xs Max when it came out I never dropped it, always had a full cover case. Just today I noticed a crack on the rear lens. After reading these comments I am not going to bother taking it in to Apple. I am sure they will offer a complete replacement for $500 plus or offer purchasing apple care for $199 then a $99 replacement. Very disappointed in Apple after supporting there products since the beginning. Has anyone had a good experience with Apple replacing the product under manufacturer warranty? Hopefully they own up to this flaw, this seems like back when the Iphone 7 was bending from being in someones pocket etc. :(

To be fair, anything can break, especially any clear material.

I would suggest you contact Apple Support in Israel:

Contact - Official Apple Support (Israel)

I had the same issuee, the glass just broke by itself eventhough I never dropped. Been wondering what is the cause of this issue ? And will apple provide free replacement or repair for this ?

No issues with my max, but I don’t think apple uses 100% sapphire glass in the products so it still quite breakable. Does apple care cover these kind of things?

XS Max less than 30 days old with an Apple silicone case - never dropped etc. It has the cracked camera lens glass. I hope Apple realizes something isn't right with this.