Traditionally, if you brought your damaged iPhone in to an Apple Store for repair, they would have to give you a brand new (to you, at least) phone, then send your damaged phone out for repair or recycling.
According to 9to5 Mac (see the headline link), that process has changed for the iPhone 5c and 5s.
Apple is gearing up to soon begin hardware repairs for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c in its chain of retail stores, according to sources with knowledge of the upcoming initiative. These sources say that Apple Stores will be able to replace several parts of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c on-site, meaning that Apple will no-longer need to fully replace iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c units with damage or other problems…
The sources say that Apple will be providing its stores with special machinery to replace the touchscreens on both the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c. These machines will be used specifically to calibrate the displays. The screen replacements cost $149 for each device, and this price point is significantly more affordable than the several-hundred dollars required to completely replace a device with a damaged/cracked screen.
In addition to displays, Apple will have the capability to replace the volume buttons, vibrating motor, rear-camera, and speaker system on the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c. Apple Stores will be able to replace the conventional Home button on the iPhone 5c, but it does not appear that Apple will be able to conduct swaps for the Touch ID-based button on the iPhone 5s
This is good news all around. Better for the environment, and a potentially cheaper and faster path for an out of warranty problem with your phone.
Apple in Japan has always done screen replacements in store.
iPhone repairs have steadily increased ever since the release of the iPhone 3G. With the 3G and 3GS, Apple could swap the display in-store, replacing it for any other faults.
With the iPhone 4, the battery, camera, vibrate and rear cover were able to be serviced, replacing it for faults elsewhere.
The iPhone 5 changed this again and allowed Geniuses to replace almost every major component, even bringing in bulky equipment to test display calibration if they were replaced http://www.macrumors.com/2013/06/05/apple-retails-new-machines-for-calibrating-replacement-iphone-5-displays/
The Genius Bar’s policy on phone repairs has always been within 30 minutes, and usually takes far less (I worked as a Genius for over six years). If it’s going to take a few hours or there’s a problem, they’ll likely just swap it out instead.
I’m not sure this is good news. When I bought AppleCare for my 5s it was with the idea that i could get up to two (like) new replacement phones over two years. Now I just get up to two new screens? I guess I’ll just have to do a better job of breaking them before taking them to get them replaced.
Thanks for confirming that this isn’t really anything new. It sounds to me like it is more an update of existing capabilities to accommodate new models
AC is not designed to guarantee you new gear. it’s designed to guarantee you working gear.
US stores have also. Along with several other parts.
Some of this is due to costs, some due to environmental issues and some due to resellers damaging scuffed up phones to try to get clean ones to resell.
The terms have always said that Apple could and would repair or replace based on what the issue is and now they are just increasing those options. I hope the buttons etc are true cause it would be annoying to have an out of warranty phone with something as simple as a mashed in sleep button and have to put out $300 for a whole phone when that part probably costs $30
Then that’s on you for not reading the terms.