In a disappointing development for iPhone and Apple Watch owners, the tech giant has reportedly tightened its stance on hairline cracks, no longer considering them covered under the standard one-year warranty. According to a report from 9to5Mac, Apple is now advising its retail stores and authorized service providers to treat all hairline cracks as accidental damage, effectively shifting the repair costs onto customers.
Historically, while the standard warranty has never officially covered “cosmetic damage” like scratches, dents, and broken plastic on ports, single hairline cracks – those without obvious points of impact or spiderwebbing – were often considered screen defects eligible for free repairs. However, with this policy change, even the slightest hairline crack will now require customers to foot the bill for repairs, a decision that is likely to ruffle feathers among Apple’s loyal customer base.
For those without AppleCare Plus, the costs can be substantial, ranging from $129 for an iPhone SE or older models to a staggering $379 for the latest iPhone 15 Pro Max. The situation is equally dire for Apple Watch owners, with repair estimates spanning $249 to $800, depending on the model. Opting for AppleCare Plus can mitigate these expenses, with screen repairs capped at $29 for iPhones and $69 to $79 for Apple Watches.
While this development is undoubtedly a setback for consumers, it’s worth noting that Apple has made some positive strides in recent years regarding repairability, driven in part by the growing right-to-repair movement. In 2022, the company launched its Self Service Repair program, allowing users to fix iPhone batteries, screens, and cameras, albeit with mixed results. Additionally, Apple has capped broken back glass repairs on the iPhone 15 Pro at $199, a significant reduction from previous models, and has announced plans to allow the use of genuine used parts for “select” iPhone models later this fall.
