Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Apple's Tight Control Over Components Keeping iPhone 5 Repair Costs High
MarketWatch takes a look at the state of the repair industry for the iPhone 5, noting that costs for display replacements remain very high eight months after the device's launch in the United States. The report points to Apple's tight control over components as being the major contributor to high costs, even as the device's new design makes it simpler to replace the display than on previous models.There is a tight control on iPhone 5 components in the market, [repair firm iCracked founder AJ] Forsythe says. “Market forces determine the price,” he says. “Apple sells about 300,000 iPhones a day and, as the repair market grows, prices will get lower.”The display is the most frequently cited repair item on the iPhone, given the frequency with which users break the glass front of the device, and it is also the most costly component.
“Apple controls everything from the manufacturing to the gear for the iPhone 5,” says Jeff Haynes, editor at deal site TechBargains.com. As the iPhone 5 is larger than the 4, the cost for replacement parts rises, he says.
For the iPhone 4S, repair firm iFixit currently sells the display assembly for $95, with users needing to follow a difficult 37-step guide to perform the repair. On the iPhone 5, iFixit is charging $200 for the corresponding part, with the white version not even available at this time. But for those who can get their hands on the part, the replacement process requires only a 23-step guide judged "moderate" in difficulty.
The report notes that many repair firms have even not yet begun offering iPhone 5 display replacements, due to both the shortage of parts in the market and the high costs. Apple itself frequently performs repairs by swapping out the user's device, then putting the damaged device through a refurbishment process and reselling it at a discounted price.
Recognizing the prevalence of accidental damage issues with its mobile devices, Apple rolled out an AppleCare+ extended warranty plan alongside the iPhone 4S in October 2011. The $99 plan extends warranty coverage to two years and includes coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage with $49 deductibles. The plan is not, however, universally available throughout Apple's global sales footprint yet.
Apple is said to be planning to revamp its AppleCare offerings later this year, with Apple reportedly moving to perform more repairs on iPhones rather than simply swapping them out. The company is also said to be transitioning AppleCare into a subscription agreement that would cover multiple devices owned by a customer, rather than having to purchase coverage separately for each device.
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Top Rated Comments
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81 months ago
Is there any reason why Apple still clings to the "non-removable" battery concept while nearly every other phone allows user access to the battery?
What year are you in? :-P
Lately Samsung has pretty much been the only manufacturer to let you access the battery, other phone makers are moving away from it.
81 months ago
Why would you pay $200 to ifixit when you could just pay $229 to Apple?
And it's and off-warranty fix so it doesn't matter if you have a warranty or not.
Ifixit seems incredibly overpriced, I think it was last year I noticed they were charging $39 for a 4S back when Apple only charged $29.
And it's and off-warranty fix so it doesn't matter if you have a warranty or not.
Ifixit seems incredibly overpriced, I think it was last year I noticed they were charging $39 for a 4S back when Apple only charged $29.
81 months ago
ifixit is a horrible example. They sell the same non-oem part from china that you find on ebay. 95 bucks for the same 27-30 dollar part on ebay.
I love their guides but have only ever bought one thing from there (and I realize I overpaid).
I love their guides but have only ever bought one thing from there (and I realize I overpaid).
81 months ago
What year are you in? :-P
Lately Samsung has pretty much been the only manufacturer to let you access the battery, other phone makers are moving away from it.
81 months ago
Can't think of any, but I don't really see a big need to remove the battery anyways. Even if a few batteries fail or need to be replaced, I don't think it's enough to justify making it removable.
I might be wrong but why would you want a removable battery?
Prolonging the life of the phone? Being able to give it to your kid when you upgrade? Not having to be forced to buy a new phone because the battery is dying?
81 months ago
Really?
The iPhone Battery SUCKS. It is great if all you use your phone for is music playback and running some apps. But the minute you try and use the Camera or Voice Recorder function - which I use all the time, the damn thing dies within about 2 hours. Which, when you are at an all day event or on vacation at an amusement park or any other situation like that, you can't find external power. Whenever I travel I have to carry around 2 or 3 stupid Mophie Cases and several other solutions. When it'd be easier to simply let us carry around 2 or 3 addition small batteries.
But please, add to the conversation, don't be a moron and just say "because Samsung does it, it must be bad..."
So you can boast about it, that's all the Sammy lot seem to do.
Are you really this stupid? If you want to make a valid argument against having a removable battery go ahead.The iPhone Battery SUCKS. It is great if all you use your phone for is music playback and running some apps. But the minute you try and use the Camera or Voice Recorder function - which I use all the time, the damn thing dies within about 2 hours. Which, when you are at an all day event or on vacation at an amusement park or any other situation like that, you can't find external power. Whenever I travel I have to carry around 2 or 3 stupid Mophie Cases and several other solutions. When it'd be easier to simply let us carry around 2 or 3 addition small batteries.
But please, add to the conversation, don't be a moron and just say "because Samsung does it, it must be bad..."
81 months ago
Really?
Try reading a bit before donning a fanboy hat. You do know the phone has a camera in it? I use it at all day events, vacation videos, etc... So yes, having a battery that lasts more than an hour is kind of important. But hey, YOUR usage is the only way people are allowed to use a phone - that markets itself as more than a phone... I have Androids and think the camera on the iPhone is better, therefore I want to use it.
God, I'm just so silly for thinking that. Also, carrying around several small batteries is preferable to carrying around fairly useless, overpriced battery cases. Again, I know, I'm just in the wrong place to have any kind of intelligent discussion about Apple products -beyond, eyes glazed over - they are wonderful.... Soylant Green is Apple....
take a chill pill bro. you are complaining about an iphone battery? Go look at the terrible battery life android's provide. just bc they have a removable battery it's ok?
i'll add.....why the heck you on the phone on vacation so much that you need 3 spare batteries? I am rarely on mine checking email or texting. but i take a ton of pictures with my iphone and have plenty of battery left. It annoys me when i look at facebook and someone is on their honeymoon and they are chilling on facebook. get off the phone and enjoy vacation.
Try reading a bit before donning a fanboy hat. You do know the phone has a camera in it? I use it at all day events, vacation videos, etc... So yes, having a battery that lasts more than an hour is kind of important. But hey, YOUR usage is the only way people are allowed to use a phone - that markets itself as more than a phone... I have Androids and think the camera on the iPhone is better, therefore I want to use it.
God, I'm just so silly for thinking that. Also, carrying around several small batteries is preferable to carrying around fairly useless, overpriced battery cases. Again, I know, I'm just in the wrong place to have any kind of intelligent discussion about Apple products -beyond, eyes glazed over - they are wonderful.... Soylant Green is Apple....
81 months ago
And HTC users, and LG users and SONY users and motorola users.You completely missed the point of my post, manufactures no longer care about removable batteries, nor does the average consumer.
+ if the battery doesn't SUCK you shouldn't need an extra battery to get through a day of use. If you do just buy an external battery pack. Same exact thing, just more universal. It isn't that hard.
Simply introducing a little humor.
I have no idea why you seem to think you can speak for all users and the corporations that build the phones. Replaceable batteries have been a big asset for years. Back to the heyday of Blackberries, all of us that travel extensively would carry a second battery.
Fact is, I travel internationally and during a 13 hour flight it's really handy to have a second battery. Plus it's far smaller and lighter to carry than an external battery solution.
It's all about how much one uses their phone.
81 months ago
I think apple will replace just the battery for a reasonable price. I think it's right around $60, but anyone may correct me if in wrong. I know it's much cheaper than what they charge for an out of warranty replacement device. Price is pretty close to official battery costs. Obviously I'm not considering the "knock offs" you find overseas on eBay.
(it's $79.)
Also it has some major drawbacks.
1. You're without your phone for a week.
2. All data on the phone will be erased.
3. iOS will be upgraded if there's a new version (not everyone may want to ugrade).
Compare that to you being able to replace the battery directly with no hassle.
Also, this battery exchange is available as long as Apple offers it. I don't know which models are still available for a battery exchange, or how long Apple will be offering an exchange for a certain model.
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