Out-of-warranty repairs for new iPhones can cost as much as $799
The out-of-warranty repair costs for new iPhone models just announced by Apple have caught many people's attention, with the highest repair fee reaching up to 799 USD.
What is out of warranty repair?
In Apple’s service system, out-of-warranty repairs are a concept that refers to cases where the device has problems that do not originate from a manufacturing defect. In other words, if the problem is not covered by Apple’s “Limited Warranty” policy, the user will have to pay for the repair or replacement.
By law, Apple only covers iPhones and the original accessories that come in the box for manufacturing defects for one year from the date of purchase. These defects typically include hardware failures or components that fail during manufacturing, but do not cover damage caused by misuse.
This means that if your iPhone is dropped, damaged by impact, exposed to water beyond the standard water resistance range, or any other problem caused by external impact, the device will not be repaired for free by Apple.
Instead, users will have to pay a fee, depending on the type of damage and the part that needs to be replaced. In some extreme cases, where the device is not eligible for repair, Apple may ask for the full replacement value. This is why it is important for iPhone users to understand the warranty coverage and out-of-warranty costs.
Service fees range from $99 to $799.
Following the recent launch of the new iPhone, Apple quickly updated the “Repair and Service” tool on its official website, adding out-of-warranty costs for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air series. This fee applies when the device has problems outside the limited warranty, such as cracked screens, glass damage, battery failure, or other serious damage.
According to the new price list, the cost of replacing the front screen for the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro is all at $329, while the Pro Max version costs more at $379. In case the rear glass is damaged, the fee is kept the same at $159 for all models. If both the screen and the rear glass are damaged, users will have to pay between $419 and $469, depending on the model.
For batteries, replacement costs range from $99 for the iPhone 17 to $119 for the higher-end models. The rear camera cluster alone has a clear difference, with the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air costing $169, while the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max cost up to $249.
In case the device has other serious damages outside the above categories, users may have to pay from $599 for iPhone 17 to $799 for iPhone 17 Pro Max.
However, the cost will be significantly reduced if users sign up for the AppleCare+ insurance package. Specifically, the price to repair a cracked screen or glass is only $ 29 per case, and $ 58 if both are damaged. Battery replacement will be completely free, while repairing the rear camera or other damage will only cost $ 99.
With fees ranging from $99 to $799, Apple is highlighting the clear difference between out-of-warranty service and AppleCare+ coverage, thereby encouraging users to consider using AppleCare+ to save on long-term repair costs. This is also a testament to Apple's strategy of increasing the value of after-sales service in addition to selling hardware.