So one of us broke the screen on an iPhone 5. Guess what they want to fix it?

[Stinky The Clown]

Last edited Thu Feb 14, 2013, 10:53 PM - Edit history (1)

First, my iPhone is fine. Just to get that out of the way.

I called the Ye Newe Fixit Shoppe where they want $280 to replace it with a screen that is "pretty much the same" as the original.

I called the Apple Store. For $229, they will replace the whole phone and transfer everything on the old unit to the new unit. You contribute a Genius Bar appointment and a credit card.

The moral of the story?

Don't drive your car with your iPhone in your lap and then forget its there and open your car door in the driveway, stand up, and watch in horror as your precious device does a swan dive onto a stone and shatter.

[Lost-in-FL]

1. How bad is the screen cracked?

My husband had his replaced for free at the apple store just because it was a small crack at the bottom of the screen.

It made no sense because if the screen would have been badly broken they would charge you for a new phone. We are just glad that we walked out with a free replacement phone.

[Stinky The Clown]

2. Bad enough that I worry she could cut her ear while using it

Oooops. I guess I let on whose phone it is.

Was your husband's phone still under warranty?

[Lost-in-FL]

3. Yes

But I am almost certain it doesn't include a broken screen. I guess the guy was having a good day and let us have a new iphone 5

[winstars]

4. My iPad cracked on the edge and at the Apple store that mattered for some reason...

Got a new one for free. Somehow if it was cracked in the middle I might have had to pay. Not really sure why?

[flying_wahini]

5. I have replaced 2 screens on Iphones and it has never cost over $75 - and took less than 30 minutes.

We have places that repair Iphones everywhere - I found both on Craigslist.

[mopinko]

6. me too.

look for a cell phone store that does repairs.

[REP]

7. I've done that twice ... no screen loss (knock wood)

Can hardly tell where it hit, too (I mean, I can - but no one else notices my "mangled" phone till I point it out!).

[RoccoR5955]

8. Check out

ifixit.com.
They have parts, and videos that will assist you in fixing it. Parts and tools will cost a fraction of what you will pay in any "fix it" shop. The patience necessary to fix it, however, is priceless.

[Stinky The Clown]

9. Thanks for that

[Agschmid]

10. Did you get Applecare? n/t

[Stinky The Clown]

11. Unfortunately, no. We only got it for our daughter's phone . . . . cuz she drops things often.

Maybe we got it for the wrong person, huh?

[Agschmid]

12. Maybe...

I got Applecare on mine but I'm nervous about what it will actually cover... I hope it would cover situations like your's but I am not to sure. Should read the little booklet huh?

[Atman]

13. Lifeproof

Its spendy as cases go, about $70-$80, but it's damn near bulletproof. And it is even waterproof down to about 10', and included an underwater headphone jack. It has a bumpers to protect the buttons. It also has a membrane across the back the acts as a sound enhancer and makes the tiny little speakers sound surprisingly good. There is a one-year warranty.


The downsides: a lot of regular headphone jacks won't fit into the waterproof socket (which must be protected with a special plug when not in use); you need to use the adapter which comes with the case. Similarly, some standard Apple connector/charger cables don't fit through the little waterproof door.

The screen cover is also fairly heavy plastic. While it protects the glass, it can lessen response on the touch screen, but not seriously. It's worth a look. I've had some serious drops, and the case really is tough.