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iPhone 5 is Easy to Break, Expensive to Repair

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Despite a stronger design, the iPhone 5 is easy to scratch or break when dropped, and iPhone repair costs are skyrocketing thanks to expensive parts and shortages.

That’s according to a new report from MarketWatch, which examined the prices of the components that users are most likely to break.

It’s asserted by the publication that Apple attempts to keep the price of replacement components high so that third-party services can’t repair the iPhone 5 for cheaper than what Apple charges for screen replacements.

broken iPhone curved and warped

Apple currently charges users as much $229 to replace the display of the iPhone 5, though users who pay for Apple’s AppleCare service can have their screens replaced for $49. AppleCare currently costs $99. In addition to ruining the quality of video playback, shattered iPhone displays could result in a device that’s simply not even remotely useable.

Read: Gallery of Broken iPhone Will Make You Run for a Good Case

Users aren’t able to turn to third-party vendors to cheaply replace their device’s screen either. According to ComputerOverhauls.com, who spoke to MarketWatch, the company can’t yet provide iPhone 5 repairs because Apple charges vendors too much to obtain the needed parts. The company continued that “Currently, the Apple Store is the least expensive option for repairing damaged iPhone 5s”.

Most repair companies now charge users $250 to repair their device, $50 more than the price users would to pay to purchase the the device when signing up for a two-year service agreement. Without a contract, that same iPhone 5 would cost a user $649.99.

A study by SquareTrade, a device insurance company recently concluded that one in three iPhones were damaged this past year. Reportedly, iPhone repairs have cost users $6 billion since Apple introduced the iPhone six years ago. Users can purchase third-party warranties from firms other than Apple.

Read: Top 5 iPhone 5 Warranty Options Compared

Repair firm iCracked, maintains that the pricing problem associated with internal components has only gotten worse with the iPhone 5.

It’s worth noting that users can purchase kits that allow them to replace components in some of Apple’s older devices on the cheap, and use tear-down guides provided by sites like iFixit to fix their devices at a reduced cost. However, most users don’t have the technical know-how and ability to perform extensive electronic repairs on their own.

For example, iFixit rates the difficulty of replacing the iPhone 5’s display assembly as “moderate”. Purchasing a display assembly will cost a user $199.95, plus the cost of the tools needed to get the job done, which will run users an additional $25.

All costs included, it’s simply more cost effective for users to purchase a warranty or buy a case that protects their iPhone 5.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Jack

    05/24/2013 at 8:45 am

    Apple knows how to get the most money out of their customers, no questions about it.
    Starting with the expensive phones, selling most of the apps, icloud storage, repairs, replacing parts, etc…
    50% of the people I know have their iphones with broken screens or heavily scratched backs, 25% have cases and 25% with no cases afraid of damaging if they drop them.
    Insurances are another scam, you either pay montly, yearly or for 2 years and if you file a claim you have to pay sometimes up to $200 for phone replacement, etc…
    It’s great that android phones have super easy and cheap replaceable parts.
    Best advise is to get a good case for your phone but most iPhone users want to show off their phones thinking they give you a high status.

  2. Michael

    05/24/2013 at 3:41 pm

    Travis, you should clarify your article. AppleCare is what comes with the iPhone, and does NOT include any kind of accidental coverage. AppleCare+ (note the PLUS sign), is their accidental damage offering, @$99 (as you stated), includes 2 damage incidents @$49 per incident.

  3. eliza

    05/30/2013 at 12:56 am

    I think apple care is provide one year warranty period for free i phone repairing.But after one year i phone is break or some software application problem then customer sped money for phone.Then what will we do?

    • Michael

      06/20/2013 at 8:11 pm

      Google it people, AppleCare does not cover damage!

  4. Larry

    06/20/2013 at 7:44 pm

    Just throw it out the window on freeway like I did, it’s that easy

  5. Joe

    07/21/2014 at 7:47 am

    It appears Apple have designed a flaw in their IPhone so and slight impact on the cowl of the device will cause the screen to crack. This would be technically simple to remedy but Apple have not done so! Why? I suspect they rely on their customers to purchase the replacement screens as an inflated cost as a funding stream. I would say these devices are not fit for purpose…….

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