The next time you bring your broken iPhone to an Apple retail store, chances are the repairs could very well be conducted in the store itself, according to the folks at 9to5Mac who were tipped on this upcoming initiative by the Cupertino company. Prior to this, damaged iPhones that were under warranty were typically replaced by a brand new, albeit refurbished model, such as problems with the lock or home button. This move by Apple is said to help lower costs where they would have, in the past, sent damaged iPhones overseas for repair, or like we said, replace the unit entirely.
For example if one were to come into an Apple retail store with an iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c whose screen had been damaged or crack, special machinery at the back of the stores, along with the replacement parts, could cost Apple $149 to repair each device, which is apparently cheaper than to give the customer a brand new unit. Apart from being able to repair screens, Apple’s on-site repairs will also include the replacement of volume buttons, vibrating motor, rear-camera and speaker systems, along with home button replacements, although the home button replacements will not be available for the iPhone 5s as Touch ID components are said to be in short supply at the moment.
Apple has been trialing the program with the iPhone 5 earlier this year, but sources of 9to5Mac claim that screen calibration machines and manuals have begun to arrive to at more Apple stores, suggesting that a wider rollout will be taking place soon.