Does Apple Care+ cover iPhone display scratch?

I dropped it and got a scratch on display. it is only a scratch, no cracks. Phone support said it does, genius said it does not. Reddit says it depends on your luck. Apple Care T&C has this in Not Covered section:

(a) To protect against normal wear and tear, or to repair cosmetic damage not affecting the functionality of the Covered Equipment;

And in Services for Accidental Damage from Handling (“ADH Service”):

If Covered Equipment has failed due to accidental damage from handling resulting from an unexpected and unintentional external event (such as, drops and damage caused by liquid contact) (“ADH”), Apple will, subject to your payment of the service fee described in 3.3 below, either (i) repair the defect using new parts or previously used genuine Apple parts that have been tested and pass Apple functional requirements, or (ii) exchange the Covered Equipment

So which is it?

Poll: Should I …

Poll Options expired

  • 5
    crack the screen
  • 5
    raise hell with Apple
  • 6
    relax :)

Comments

  • (a) To protect against normal wear and tear, or to repair cosmetic damage not affecting the functionality of the Covered Equipment;

    and:

    If Covered Equipment has failed

    A scratch doesn't affect the functionality of your iPhone and it does not count as a failure.

    If you want a screen replacement, drop it face-first on some concrete.

    • Yea. So my options are:
      a) crack the screen
      b) raise hell with Apple
      c) relax :)

      I think I’ll try b)

      • You might as well just crack the screen since you’re getting a fresh screen anyway. Don’t drop it on it’s corners, just face down on rough concrete

        • +3

          Do a drop test for YouTube and make some money off of it :D

  • Next time be more careful and save yourself the worry

    • +5

      Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

  • +1

    I’ve had mine replaced under AppleCare with mere scratches. Admittedly there were a lot of them.

  • You can do it online via express replacement program. Just need to pay for the screen replacement cost. They will mail you a replacement and you mail back your phone once you receive it. Still have to chat to a support person first to organise it.

    • thanks!

    • Checked T&C. They charge "Other Accidental Damage" $145 (not Screen-Only Damage $45) if I use Express Replacement:

      "If You elect to use Express Replacement Service (“ERS”) for an iPhone Screen-Only, iPhone Back Glass- Only or iPhone Screen and Back Glass Accidental Damage claims, Your claim will be classified as iPhone Other Accidental Damage"

      Not sure why.

      • wow, didn’t know that. I would have thought its the same as in store. Otherwise you can choose to go to the 3rd party approved repairer instead of apple. They use the screen replacement machine apple use anyway. These are the one you can book online via apple support page.

  • +1

    AppleCare screen replacement is NOT free. You may as well use it until it cracks and get a screen replacement then.

    • I know, but its quite cheap: Screen-Only Damage $45. Im ready to pay it for removing the scratch. But I was told No in Apple Store.

      • Even it will be repaired by Apple technician, the water proofing will not be as good as brand new.

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