3rd Party iPhone Screen Replacements no longer void warranty

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Paparangi

166 posts

Master Geek

#208750 26-Feb-2017 12:20

Just saw an article on MacRumors stating that an Apple memo to stores states that iPhones with 3rd party screens no longer void Apple warranty, as long as the 3rd party screens didn't cause further damage.

When a customer with an iPhone that has a third-party display seeks a repair for a non-display issue, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers have been advised to inspect the device for any fraud or tampering, and then swap out the device or replace the broken part based on Apple's in-warranty pricing.

iPhones with third-party displays must still be within their warranty coverage period, whether it be Apple's standard 1-year manufacturer's warranty or extended AppleCare coverage, in order for warranty service to be honored.

If the presence of any third-party part causes the repair to be unsuccessful or breaks the iPhone, Apple said customers will be required to pay the out-of-warranty cost to replace the third-party part, or the entire device if necessary, in order to resolve the issue that the iPhone was initially brought in for.

Apple Authorized Service Providers are still instructed to decline service for any iPhone with a functional failure related to a third-party aluminum enclosure, logic board, battery, Lightning connector, headphone jack, volume buttons, mute switch, sleep/wake button, and certain microphones.

The full article is here: MacRumors

it does say that they have only confirmed it in the USA and Canada, but other regions are likely to be included. It would be interesting to see if that includes NZ.

cadman

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#1726490 26-Feb-2017 13:34

Fortunately in NZ we have the CGA.

Remember when retailers told us that using aftermarket ink cartridges voided the manufacturers warranty? Unless their use was a contributing factor, they're still liable to meet their obligations for unrelated faults under the CGA. It's the same as motor vehicle dealerships telling people that their new vehicle warranty is void if they don't get it serviced by an authorised agent, but the CGA usurps any manufacturer's warranty anyway.

Yabanize

2350 posts

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#1726497 26-Feb-2017 13:45

cadman:

Fortunately in NZ we have the CGA.

Remember when retailers told us that using aftermarket ink cartridges voided the manufacturers warranty? Unless their use was a contributing factor, they're still liable to meet their obligations for unrelated faults under the CGA. It's the same as motor vehicle dealerships telling people that their new vehicle warranty is void if they don't get it serviced by an authorised agent, but the CGA usurps any manufacturer's warranty anyway.

I still disagree, this is quite different to simply changing an ink cartridge, it involves exposing the phones internals, it could easily be damaged by static etc

Paparangi

166 posts

Master Geek

#1726501 26-Feb-2017 13:48

Yabanize:

cadman:

Fortunately in NZ we have the CGA.

Remember when retailers told us that using aftermarket ink cartridges voided the manufacturers warranty? Unless their use was a contributing factor, they're still liable to meet their obligations for unrelated faults under the CGA. It's the same as motor vehicle dealerships telling people that their new vehicle warranty is void if they don't get it serviced by an authorised agent, but the CGA usurps any manufacturer's warranty anyway.

I still disagree, this is quite different to simply changing an ink cartridge, it involves exposing the phones internals, it could easily be damaged by static etc

I would have to agree with Yabanize here, that is why I was so surprised to read about these changes.

cadman

1014 posts

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#1726512 26-Feb-2017 13:56

No different. Ink cartridges have electrical contacts too. Printers are susceptible to damage in the same way. (Edit: IIRC the problem they pretended to have with 3rd party cartridges was one of a faulty cartridge causing the failure of other components, but was of course simply a case of them competing on the hardware and seeking to recover the losses on the consumables with scaremongering. Brother have the right idea - they upgrade the warranty to 3 4-years on-site if you use "genuine" consumables - a carrot, not a stick, approach).

The only grounds for them to claim damage by repairer negligence would be if that repairer held no relevant qualifications or experience and they'd have to demonstrate that it was likely, not just possible.

Re-edit: I see it's now 4-years on-site.

Paparangi

166 posts

Master Geek

#1726515 26-Feb-2017 14:00

cadman:

No different. Ink cartridges have electrical contacts too. Printers are susceptible to damage in the same way.

The only grounds for them to claim damage by repairer negligence would be if that repairer held no relevant qualifications or experience and they'd have to demonstrate that it was likely, not just possible.

Have you ever opened an iPhone before? You are exposing all of the delicate electronics and making contact with the motherboard, the connectors etc. When replacing an ink cartridge you are only exposed to the external contacts, not the motherboard or any of the other internal components. There is a lot of a higher risk of accidental damage during a screen replacement, vs changing the ink on a printer, which is designed to be readily and easily completed by the public.

cadman

1014 posts

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#1726516 26-Feb-2017 14:08

Paparangi:

cadman:

No different. Ink cartridges have electrical contacts too. Printers are susceptible to damage in the same way.

The only grounds for them to claim damage by repairer negligence would be if that repairer held no relevant qualifications or experience and they'd have to demonstrate that it was likely, not just possible.

Have you ever opened an iPhone before? You are exposing all of the delicate electronics and making contact with the motherboard, the connectors etc. When replacing an ink cartridge you are only exposed to the external contacts, not the motherboard or any of the other internal components. There is a lot of a higher risk of accidental damage during a screen replacement, vs changing the ink on a printer, which is designed to be readily and easily completed by the public.

Yes. Just did my mate's 2nd 6S Plus screen. I've done my own 4S once too. As long as you're following the correct procedure by being grounded and using an static dissipative mat there's really no issue.

Paparangi

166 posts

Master Geek

#1726555 26-Feb-2017 14:32

cadman:

Paparangi:

cadman:

No different. Ink cartridges have electrical contacts too. Printers are susceptible to damage in the same way.

The only grounds for them to claim damage by repairer negligence would be if that repairer held no relevant qualifications or experience and they'd have to demonstrate that it was likely, not just possible.

Have you ever opened an iPhone before? You are exposing all of the delicate electronics and making contact with the motherboard, the connectors etc. When replacing an ink cartridge you are only exposed to the external contacts, not the motherboard or any of the other internal components. There is a lot of a higher risk of accidental damage during a screen replacement, vs changing the ink on a printer, which is designed to be readily and easily completed by the public.

Yes. Just did my mate's 2nd 6S Plus screen. I've done my own 4S once too. As long as you're following the correct procedure by being grounded and using an static dissipative mat there's really no issue.

Yes, I have also done many screen replacements and I agree that the risk is mitigated when following ESD guidelines. However this is still quite different than changing an ink cartridge, you don't need an ESD mat to do that.

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cadman

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#1726557 26-Feb-2017 14:44

But as per my earlier edit which I made to clarify - the issue around the 3rd party ink cartridges was regarding the 'quality' of cartridges themselves causing damage - which seems to be the issue Apple took with the screens - rather than the actual physical act of replacing them.

StevenWg

49 posts

Geek

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#1748301 26-Mar-2017 19:47

According to my experience, the third party display does not void the warranty if issue is not related to the display, but will void the warranty if issue is related to the display or the installation of the display. The judgement of the relationship is kind of decided by Apple themselves.

CYaBro

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#1748326 26-Mar-2017 20:51

I can confirm that this is the case in NZ as well.

And changing a display on an iPhone is not like replacing an ink cartridge.
Ink is a consumable and is made to be replaced by the end user.

Replacing an iPhone screen requires the correct tools to do it.
These tools include anti static precautions.
There is a special clamp to help open the iPhones.
The screwdrivers required are also torque drivers, with some screws requiring different torques when screwing back in.
If you use the wrong torque, or none at all, you'll most likely damage the logic board.
Then with the 6s and 7 model iPhones there is adhesive holding the display down. This needs to be replaced once one of those models has been opened.
Once reassembled there is a special press you need, that applies the correct force to the entire display for the required time.
Without that you risk issues with 3D Touch.

Of course you can replace a display without all of those but that's probably why the price is cheap from a 3rd party.
Why risk it especially if your iPhone is still under warranty.

Apple are doing iPhone screen replacements in NZ now.
It's a mail in service either with Apple direct or an AASP can facilitate it for you.

The prices are:
iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, SE, 6, 6s, and 7 = $234 inc gst.
iPhone 6 Plus, 6s Plus, and 7 Plus = $254 inc get.

Now some of those prices will be more expensive than a 3rd party but others are the same or cheaper, especially the newer models and the Plus models.

Edit: forgot to say that Apple also calibrate a new display to your iPhone.
There is a different calibration machine required for each of the different iPhone models.
These cost around $20,000 each!
No 3rd party is going to have one of these for every model iPhone.
Apple also say that if your device fails calibration, after a new display is fitted, they don't just put another display on and try again, they will replace the whole device for the screen replacement price.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

PhantomNVD

2619 posts

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#1748367 26-Mar-2017 22:17

CYaBro:
Apple are doing iPhone screen replacements in NZ now.
It's a mail in service either with Apple direct or an AASP can facilitate it for you.

The prices are:
iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, SE, 6, 6s, and 7 = $234 inc gst.
iPhone 6 Plus, 6s Plus, and 7 Plus = $254 inc get.

Apple also say that if your device fails calibration, after a new display is fitted, they don't just put another display on and try again, they will replace the whole device for the screen replacement price.

No that IS good to know, thanks!

if you've done this yourself... how long is the turnaround if sent in on overnight courier (or is their an AKL dropoff point?)

CYaBro

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#1748368 26-Mar-2017 22:27

PhantomNVD:
CYaBro:
Apple are doing iPhone screen replacements in NZ now.
It's a mail in service either with Apple direct or an AASP can facilitate it for you.

The prices are:
iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, SE, 6, 6s, and 7 = $234 inc gst.
iPhone 6 Plus, 6s Plus, and 7 Plus = $254 inc get.

Apple also say that if your device fails calibration, after a new display is fitted, they don't just put another display on and try again, they will replace the whole device for the screen replacement price.

No that IS good to know, thanks!

if you've done this yourself... how long is the turnaround if sent in on overnight courier (or is their an AKL dropoff point?)

If you do it yourself with apple it will take longer as you will have to wait for them to ship you the box to ship the iPhone to them in Auckland.
I think on their website they say 8-10 days.
You can't drop it off yourself unless it's to an aasp.
As an aasp we've had devices back within 3 days but we say to allow up to 5.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

alasta

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#1748449 27-Mar-2017 07:27

Would I be right to assume that Apple do some sort of pressure test when repairing an iPhone 7 to ensure that the water resistance is still okay?

surfisup1000

5288 posts

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#1748452 27-Mar-2017 07:40

CYaBro: If you do it yourself with apple it will take longer as you will have to wait for them to ship you the box to ship the iPhone to them in Auckland.
I think on their website they say 8-10 days.
You can't drop it off yourself unless it's to an aasp.
As an aasp we've had devices back within 3 days but we say to allow up to 5.

My daughter dropped her phone 7 , the apple service center said it would take maybe up to a week ... it actually took 2 weeks and 1 day.

Still, $234 seems very reasonable to me, the local mall guy does them for $200. Worth paying the extra $34 for genuine parts and the guarantee of apple that the repair will be good.

Last year i had my iphone 6s+ screen repaired, by apple, but, they stuffed something up and the touch would stop working sometimes.Apple had 3 goes at fixing it but couldn't, and I got a new phone in the end. If i'd gone to a 3rd party repair place, it could have become messy.