If buying an iPhone seems expensive, repairing it is also expensive. This is exactly what happened to me with my iPhone 13 Pro Max, purchased in September 2021 when at that time it was the latest mobile phone launched by Apple. Even though I alternate it with other Android phones for professional reasons, this one has remained my main phone for these two and a half years.
Late last year I had an accident that caused the screen to shatter and the back to crack slightly. The solution was simple, although expensive: repair it for the modest sum of 729 dollars. Fortunately, the home insurance covered it and It helped me save money and uncover data on Apple repairs. which at least I didn’t know.
Paying for an iPhone repair two or three years later may not be worth it
If there was one thing I was clear about when my iPhone broke, it was that I wasn’t going to go to an unauthorized center to repair it. I can think (and in fact I think) that the prices for repairs at Apple and other authorized technical services are very high compared to these other centers. However, from experience, I can attest that the materials are original and of infinitely higher quality than those elsewhere.
So, I consulted the Apple site and calculated the final amount: 729 dollars which was also quoted to me in the Apple Store when I went to ask for the appropriate budget. I was already in conversation with my home insurance company, but in the meantime I wanted to see what the situation was.
Excerpt from the repair estimate that Apple gave me
My iPhone 13 Pro Max had already been shut down for a year, since with the release of the iPhone 14 Pro Max they stopped selling them at Apple and they were sold out in other stores. Yes, I could find them reconditioned, whether at Apple or elsewhere. I even saw a store that still had a few units and it is no longer available.
Some of these other iPhone 13 Pro Max’s I saw for sale were around $800-$850. A difference that wasn’t too big compared to the 729 dollars it cost me to repair mine. 16% for the most expensive and 9.7% for the others. Yet, It made sense to buy a new one, especially because of the additional warranty this was added and the one on my cell phone was already expired.
It’s only worth it if the repair is covered by insurance.
My trump card in this whole affair was the home insurance. At the time I had not subscribed to AppleCare+, nor any other additional and specific insurance for the iPhone. However, I didn’t remember that my home insurance was going to cover it.. Yes, I am aware that it covers possible accidents involving cell phones belonging to someone outside the home, but I was not aware that it also covered me.
So I sent a report to the insurance explaining what happened, also providing Apple’s budget, and then it was only a matter of days before they checked it and approved my payment. It should be noted that There are normally two types of insurance actions: They either pay you all at once or they pay you the repair amount without VAT first to pay you the remaining part once you have already carried out the repair and attached the invoice. In my case, it was the second thing that happened.
However, I must say that It is not normal for home insurance to cover this type of repair., no matter how bad the incident happens at home. That’s why I recommend you take a look at the specific conditions and make sure yours cover them.
Repairing an iPhone at Apple has two advantages that I didn’t know about
Apple doesn’t care whether you pay for the repair out of pocket or with the money your insurance compensated you. In my case, the key to everything is that They had to completely change the iPhone and give me a new one. I knew this because there are circumstances in which it is more profitable for the company to ship another iPhone when there are multiple parts to repair.
What I didn’t know was the when they give you a new iPhone and when a refurbished one. If the repair is free because it’s covered by warranty and you don’t have to pay Apple, they’ll give you a refurbished one. It is practically new, since it has no scratches, the battery is new and has undergone performance tests that guarantee its operation. If you pay for the repair, they will always give you a new one.
Of course, don’t think they give you a choice of color etc. They deliver a model exactly the same as the one you deliver. In my case, an iPhone 13 Pro Max in graphite color and 128 GB of storage. Yes, it can happen that they don’t have units because it’s already a very old model and they give you a newer one with the same memories, but in my case that wasn’t the case . The iPhone 13 Pro Max is no longer available for purchase, but Apple still keeps stock of entirely new units for cases like this.
The other thing I learned from this experience is that Two additional years of warranty are offered to you as if you had just purchased it. Yes, I know that the legal guarantee in USA is now three years, but it concerns new products. In this type of repairs, Apple usually offers six months when they are refurbished, but when new they extend it to two. And that’s very, very good.
So why don’t I recommend this method for getting a new iPhone?
If my story went well, you’ll wonder why I don’t recommend doing this. And I will say that there are nuances. If your insurance covers it like in my case, so much the better.. I have no problem in this regard because I am fully satisfied with my experience and also with two additional years of warranty against any possible unforeseen circumstances.
However, If you have to pay for the repair, I don’t think that’s the best solution.. Especially if the iPhone is already a few years old, since you will see that it may be better for you to buy a newer one at a price not too far from what it costs to repair yours.
Calculating the difference between repairing your iPhone and buying a newer one is the key to making a decision
If what breaks down is a latest generation model, it will hurt you to have to pay for the repair. Especially since not much time has passed since you paid to buy it. However, the difference between repair and sale prices remains significant. In cases like mine, the difference between repairing it and buying it new or in good condition elsewhere It’s not that big.
There is also the possibility in the latter case of opting for the purchase of a new generation iPhone, but this already implies a greater investment and perhaps you are not so tempted. In my case, I looked at the iPhone 15, but honestly didn’t feel like I needed to switch while the iPhone 13 Pro Max is still a good phone. So much so that even Samsung appreciates it positively.
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