Damaged iPhones have cost consumers $5.9B: report
Since I got my first late in 2008, I’ve been a fairly firm backer of the iPhone.
Truly, while I’ve never owned any other but a BlackBerry, I maintain the iPhone is the best smartphone, which is a tad ironic since, of course, they don't particularly last.
Within three years, I was already on my third Apple handheld – the first having its screen shattered and vibrate switch broken; the second seeing its headphone jack busted, so the phone thought headphones were plugged in all the time, rendering its speaker and ringer useless.
In any case, the broken phones have cost me a pretty penny to replace, though it would appear at least I’m not alone.
In fact, according to a new report, I’m part of a hyper-inclusive fraternity.
*Bing: How to fix a water-logged iPhone
By a new study from SquareTrade, released just days before the iPhone 5 is set to hit stores, American consumers have forked over plenty for repairs to their Apple touchscreens.
SquareTrade guesses that, since the first iPhone was introduced in 2007, damaged iPhones have cost consumers $5.9 billion.
That figure includes repairs to phones that were cracked, dropped or damaged by water.
Last year alone, 30 per cent of iPhone users damaged them in some way, according to SquareTrade, which noted accidental damage is 10 times likelier for the iPhone than loss or theft.
Of course, the new iPhone is coming, and it’s being built with more aluminum in its case, so this time it’s to be more durable.
Still sounds like cell phone insurance, which was once out of favour with consumer reporters, might be the best line of defence if you’re going to stick with iPhone, however.
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
*Apple photo
Posted by: Financial Guru | Sep 18, 2021 6:02:41 PM
iPhones ARE covered by a 1 yr warranty.
Avoid dropping yours in the bathtub and/or running over with your car and you should be just fine.
Posted by: Mike Labram | Sep 18, 2021 7:30:32 PM
Costs to manufacture in China = $100.00
Actual cost to buy from Apple = priceless
Don't forget those pesky data plans that keep increasing for no apparent reason.
Good luck with that.
They got you coming and going.
Posted by: yougottabekiddingme | Sep 18, 2021 7:32:17 PM
Seriously? what a pointless article. Who cares...
Posted by: I agree with the useless comment | Sep 18, 2021 8:33:11 PM
Sure, but the number means nothing unless you compare it to other smart phone repair costs.... or reliability stats.
Posted by: DrVex007 | Sep 18, 2021 9:00:32 PM
It is lazy writing like this article that makes me feel like a pulitzer prize winning author.
I agree with "i agree with useless comment", this is a non-relatable article. It tals about the cost to repair iPhones suggesting that they are not durable. "which is a tad ironic since, of course, they don't particularly last."
Don't last? Name me a phone that lasts through damage, drowning, or dropped on its face. How do you Mr. Author last through drowning, being dropped from high places or landing on your face. Oh wait a minute that last one might explain your article.
I still have my orignial black and white iPod and my two iPhones are in brand new condition. If you take care of your things, they dont break.
Posted by: chillysauce | Sep 18, 2021 10:50:03 PM
The article is pointing out what alot of people already know, the phones are not very durable and have many problems. Two of my daughters have i phones and both of them have had problems with them, one had hardware problems within the first six months and the othe was dropped once and the screen shattered. Im sure that some people handle with great care and are able to keep them in good condition or get lucky and get one that does not have any hardware problems but the majority of people I know have either broke thiers or have had some sort of problems with them. I'm just glad i bought the I care plan for my daughters phones because they are not cheap. I've had a Blackberry Bold since they first came out and its had a rough life so far and has not failed me yet (KNOCK ON WOOD). before that i had a Sanyo tough phone that was virtually indestructable but was lacking on features, my point is they can make these phones more durable then they are, considering what they charge for them!!!
Posted by: Jeff Lewis | Sep 18, 2021 11:04:52 PM
"Truly, while I’ve never owned any other but a BlackBerry, I maintain the iPhone is the best smartphone"
And there's your problem. You've tried two phones and you've alread decided what's the best phone - even when you also admit it's kind of damage prone.
What *I* find ironic is that this post is in a blog that supposedly purports to give us advice on how to manage our money better - yet this post tells us to be a bad consumer, make poorly informed choices and then repeat them over and over again even though it's expensive.
Seriously - how did you get the job here?
Posted by: Fallen | Sep 19, 2021 8:28:10 AM
To: DrVex007
At least learn to spell check if you are going to make claims of being an author.
Go away to your corner now and cry you moron.
Regards,
The Fallen
Posted by: Ali Griffin | Sep 19, 2021 9:12:54 AM
I bought my first iPhone in 2010, I got the 3GS. Foolishly I did not buy a case, luckily for the first few months, I did not drop my phone. Although, a month after I bought my phone, the slient button decided to stop working. I never dropped my phone or anything so i dont know why randomly stopped working. Forward a few months later, and I was at home, sitting on my couch. I had my iPhone resting on the arm of the couch, when I accidently knocked the phone onto the hardwood floor. It smashed the whole front of my screen. To be honest, I was furstarted because the height between the floor and my couch is not very high. Knowing that it was going to be expensive, I decided I would just buy an Iphone 4S in December 2011. This time I came to my senses and bought an autobox for the phone, and thankfully 9 months later, my phone is still in one piece. I would advise anyone thinking of buying an Iphone to spend the money on a decent case, it will be worth your money.
Posted by: Mario | Sep 19, 2021 11:16:13 AM
I've had my Apple 3GS for more than 3yrs, never had a problem with it. Don't run your phone over with your car or use it as a hammer and you should not have any problem with it.
Posted by: Mr. Negative | Sep 19, 2021 12:21:12 PM
good point, if you treat your stuff with care, it will last longer.
Don't get me wrong, most products aren't buiilt to last like they once were. However, we also like to have things built for dirt cheap these days. What do you expect!
Posted by: carl | Sep 19, 2021 1:01:25 PM
The iphone is ssooooo pretty but durable it is not. Of the five who carry them in this office all have had problems, mine fell and cracked the glass, two others, the same, one has the flash light that won't turn off and two of them like making long distance phone calls on their own even when they are sitting by themselves on a table, for some inexpilcable reason it wants to reach out and touch someone. This is of course not to mention the other glitches for which we have no definitive answers of whether its the phone or the carrier. I have had cell phones since they came in a carry on bag and THIS is definitely the worst one. The old Motorola fell 20 feet onto a concrete floor and it would not quit, in fact, it only met its demise after it was left on the back bumper of a truck and subsequently run over
Posted by: Jay | Sep 19, 2021 1:55:22 PM
Thankfully, I don't have an iPhone. The phone I use does not break, even if I drive over it with my car (although I wouldn't). And what's best, I don't even have to pay for the service.
Posted by: Eleanor Ritchie | Sep 19, 2021 3:56:25 PM
Try to get Bell or Apple to unlock your Iphone 4S that you bought out right..they will not do it...they tell you to jail break it even though it voids your warrenty
Posted by: Cynthia | Sep 19, 2021 4:33:36 PM
I would never buy an Iphone even if they best smartphone in the world. We survived for a long time with out cellphones and I can survive forever without an Iphone LOL! :)