Shattered iPhone 5 screens to be fixed at Apple stores using this contraption

posted by Nick T. / Jun 06, 2013, 9:15 AM

Shattered iPhone 5 screens to be fixed at Apple stores using this contraption

As we reported yesterday, Apple is now fixing shattered iPhone 5 screens at its retail stores instead of giving out replacement units. The service, which costs $49 for those who have AppleCare+ and $149 for those who don't, is comparable in price to what third-party iPhone 5 repair services cost. However, the Geniuses at the Apple Store won't be opening damaged iPhones using tweezers and guitar picks. Instead, they'll be using a bit more sophisticated gear.

Well, make that a lot more sophisticated gear. The contraption you see in the photo is said to be an actual machine made for iPhone 5 display calibration at Apple Stores. With its help, the Apple Store staff will be able to execute iPhone 5 screen replacements in a matter of minutes. In fact, many of the stores have workers who are specifically assigned to handling iPhone 5 repairs.

Additional in-store repair services for the iPhone 5 are expected to be offered in July. These include fixing the smartphone's camera, buttons, and logic board.

source: 512 Pixels via 9to5Mac

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47 Comments

1. andro.

Posts: 1999; Member since: Sep 16, 2011

Just goes to show how often and how highly susceptible to chronic smashing the iphone really is that a machine like this is neccessary. Apple is gouging a fortune from ifans. On a better note case manufacturers like otterbox can have some good sales over the vunerability

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 9:34 AM 16

4. msa1988

Posts: 418; Member since: Mar 30, 2010

Not sure if you watch the drop-test's, but the iPhone (all models) performed much better than its counter-parts when dropped from all 3 heights (pocket, chest, arms straight up). The real reason they can get away with this is because they only have 1 freaking device. Now that their innovation is gone they'll need more models leading to more machines, but for now they can get away with 1 machine fixing all their problems. However, how Apple can charge you $49 for a simple repair when you bought insurance on the phone in the first place is completely beyond me.

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 9:49 AM 13

15. Leo_MC

Posts: 6716; Member since: Dec 02, 2011

Sorry, I ment to answer to andro's stupid comment; see below.

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 11:18 AM 2

19. darkkjedii

Posts: 30836; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

I guess he saw everything other than those drop tests. YouTube em buddy.

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 12:00 PM 3

23. andro.

Posts: 1999; Member since: Sep 16, 2011

Drop tests are irrelevant when you see customers coming into you on a weekly basis with smashed up iphones. We've even had customers complain the phone broke when it dropped from their pocket while sitting on a chair. All in all I make more commission off ifans as they always have to ad insurance and cases with their iphone purchases as well as buying lightning adapters etc!

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 1:05 PM 1

25. Ninetysix

Posts: 2933; Member since: Oct 08, 2012

That's awesome andro but what do you think of S4's breaking their amoled screens by just being in the pocket? Samsung charges $300 to fix this. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2287882 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2284944 iphones doing better in drop tests makes them irrelevant...lol. Typical fandroid blindness and hate.

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 1:13 PM 4

27. andro.

Posts: 1999; Member since: Sep 16, 2011

Drop tests are irrevelant I meant as if you actually deal with the public in stores on a daily basis you would see how often iphones actually smash, there is no subsitute for real life occurances. Not sure about US Dollar pricea but in Europe a galaxy s3 costs 120 euro for screen repair, an s4 150 euro and an iphone 5 250 euro. These are the general prices found for genuine offical parts repairs

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 1:17 PM 1

30. darkkjedii

Posts: 30836; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Discuss all the broken phones, not the one we all know you deeply hate.

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 1:41 PM 1

8. Ninetysix

Posts: 2933; Member since: Oct 08, 2012

Is your search engine broken? Tons of iPhone5 vs yourfavoriteandroidphone videos out there. Guess which one shatters first?

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 10:08 AM 3

9. msa1988

Posts: 418; Member since: Mar 30, 2010

Are your eyes broken? http://www.phonearena.com/news/Ooops-Drop-test-pits-Apple-iPhone-5-against-Samsung-Galaxy-S4_id42408 http://www.phonearena.com/news/HTC-One-vs-iPhone-5-drop-test-results-in-broken-glass-shattered-dreams_id41297 http://www.phonearena.com/news/iPhone-5-vs-Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-drop-test-is-not-for-faint-hearted-geeks_id34756 I can keep going if you like. -Not an Apple fan, just stating the obvious.

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 10:15 AM 4

16. Leo_MC

Posts: 6716; Member since: Dec 02, 2011

AppleCare+ is not just insurance (I thumb you down for talking stupid things). AppleCare+ is the name of their extended warranty service (1 year is free; EU has a special warranty for 2 years); when purchasing this service, Apple offers you 2 hardware claims (for instance you drop the phone and crack the display, or you drop it in the water), for the price of 49$ each. The price is 69 euro/year. Regular insurance (for every other product, including the ones in the world of Android) is 5 euro / month +VAT (which is 24% in my country) so 74.4 euro/year with a deductible of 50 euro. So, if I buy a phone and I crack the screen 2 times, - an iPhone with AppleCare+ will cost me ~145 euro - a Samsung with insurance will cost me 174.4 euro - an iPhone without AC+ will cost me 300 euro - a Samsung without insurance will cost me 600 euro (yes, it's no mistake: screen replacement on GS3 is 300 euro :)).

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 11:18 AM 7

18. Leo_MC

Posts: 6716; Member since: Dec 02, 2011

And a stupid robot that never had either AC+ or insurance, a narrow minded Samsung fan, without knowing s**t, thumbs down an objective cost comparison... GG dumbass, you've sank a little bit more into oblivion; your neurons are greatfull you let them rest!...

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 11:25 AM 5

24. andro.

Posts: 1999; Member since: Sep 16, 2011

Personally I would never pay a company an annual fee for somwthing which is my legal right to be free in a 2 year warranty. Its not just cracked screen that happen phones, alot of general manufacturering faults can sometimes occour from 18 months onwards like faulty microphone etc which a legal 2 year warranty covers for free,except for ifans.

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 1:10 PM 0

32. Leo_MC

Posts: 6716; Member since: Dec 02, 2011

Quote: "Phone 1 Year [...] This Limited Warranty does not cover: (a) defects or damage resulting from accident, misuse, abnormal use, abnormal conditions, improper storage, exposure to liquid, moisture, dampness, sand or dirt, neglect, or unusual physical, electrical or electromechanical stress" You know who's warranty I just quoted? SAMSUNG's. You know what looks like? AppleCare limited warranty. AC+ gives you much more. In EU everyone is obliged to offer 2 years warranty; so the limited AC from Apple and standard warranty from Samsung is offered to EU clients for free for 2 years. Don't be a stupid fan, be informed!

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 2:28 PM 4

35. andro.

Posts: 1999; Member since: Sep 16, 2011

I deal with customers everyday with faulty handsets over a year old. Faulty speaker for example after 12 months: lg, nokia, sony, htc, motorolla, huaweii, zte, alacatel etc will all repair for free, apple charge 180 euro for iphone 4/4s, 250 for iphone 5. Insurance if applicable aside this is the case. If it was otherwise id have alot less angry apple customers instore freaking out on a weekly basis, its the bane of sales assistants. Customers in 18 or 24 month contracts do not be happyl!

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 3:29 PM 0

38. Ninetysix

Posts: 2933; Member since: Oct 08, 2012

I guess that's that. Time to tell these sites to stop doing drop tests and just base how fragile a smartphone is based on andro's sales. What's the average turnaround time for a smartphone repair in your shop btw?

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 4:16 PM 0

40. andro.

Posts: 1999; Member since: Sep 16, 2011

Repairs can be up to 5 days, that due to using official parts. Maybe done quicker or cheaper in other places but use unofficial parts with them and warranty is voided,A 1 year warranty is short enough!

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 5:11 PM 0

39. Leo_MC

Posts: 6716; Member since: Dec 02, 2011

You must be joking. No person, "dealing with customers with faulty handsets" would be so confused as you seem to be. You are nothing but a pathetic fanboy (do you at least get payed by Samsung?) that confuses terms and talks s**t. I repeat: EU customers get free 2 years warranty (or AppleCare limited warranty in case of iPhones). AC+ is much more; it costs 69 euro/year and you get 2 claims (this is the insurance) + battery and even accesory check/replacement. That's a service only Apple provides; for Samsung, HTC or even Nokia devices one should purchase, as I already said, 74.4 euro / year insurance (which does not include coverage for accesories nor the battery as AC+ does). So stop talking about things you don't know.

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 4:43 PM 3

41. andro.

Posts: 1999; Member since: Sep 16, 2011

Enjoy, your an apple sales man dream!

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 5:18 PM 0

46. Leo_MC

Posts: 6716; Member since: Dec 02, 2011

Whatever, dude; I don't own an Apple phone right now but that's going to change as I had one and I know very well post sale services are amongst the best. Also, everything I have said about warranty, insurances and AppleCare can be checked by anybody that has at least a functional neuron. I have already gave you this advice: don't be a stupid fanboy; check the total costs of owning a mobile phone and you'll find out that, even though - let's say GS4 - is about on par with iP5 when it comes to purchasing costs, with voice+data plans, insurance, additional costs, when you draw the line after 2 years, you'll pay more for the Korean plastic (not to mention the nerves you get when Android throws it's lag upon you)... I'm waiting for the next iP so I can throw that piece of crap called GS3.

posted on Jun 07, 2013, 3:08 AM 0

36. shutslar

Posts: 3; Member since: Jun 06, 2013

Warranties are not the same as insurance. A warranty usually covers malfunction. Insurance usually covers damage, loss, and theft. Instead of phones, think automobiles. The auto manufacturer warranties the auto for X miles. But if you hit a tree with your auto you must turn that into insurance. No phone manufacturer will warrant (guarantee) you will not damage a phone. Just as no auto manufacturer will warrant (guarantee) you will not wreck an automobile..

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 3:33 PM 1

47. phonemonkey

Posts: 168; Member since: Feb 13, 2012

gggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww uppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp

posted on Jun 08, 2013, 3:24 PM 0

2. kozza3

Posts: 777; Member since: Oct 17, 2012

seriously take me five minute to replace that screen using tweezers and guitar picks one of the easiest repairs in the world

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 9:48 AM 3

42. GadgetsMcGoo

Posts: 168; Member since: Mar 15, 2013

Can you use those without bending a tab or making a scar/scratch of any sort? Likely not.

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 6:36 PM 1

3. AMDPhenomX4

Posts: 48; Member since: Apr 06, 2013

That's really cool. I hope there is a video of it working sometime soon.

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 9:48 AM 1

5. cripton805

Posts: 1485; Member since: Mar 18, 2012

There doesnt make any sense to have apple care for one year if the total will always come out to $149. Save that Apple care money. It would suck if you broke your phone a month after your Apple year and youre stuck paying $149 on top of the $99 Apple Care.

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 9:57 AM 2

6. TROLL

Posts: 4851; Member since: Apr 13, 2012

Darkjedi needs his cracked iP5 repaired! So it costs Apple. Just $3 for the glass to buy and charge iDrones $150 to get it repaired! Wtf! Did you no that Apple made $500millions in repairs from brainwashed fans, and users. Rinsing hard earned money from public. Gota give it to Apple, the "R&D" company®

posted on Jun 06, 2013, 9:58 AM 4

10. CanYouSeeTheLight

Posts: 1122; Member since: Jul 05, 2012

You need your cracked head repaired. I really doubt they will only replace the glass as it is almost impossible to separate the glass from the display as they are glued and are Zerogap. Trying to separate will result in a broken screen.