It will now cost just $29 to fix a cracked iPhone
Following its iPhone 7 announcement on Wednesday, the company made a few adjustments to its AppleCare+ warranty plan. Most notably, it dropped the price for repairing a cracked screen from $99 to $29.
Of course, the deal only applies to AppleCare+ members, which costs $129 and includes two repairs from accidental damage (plus a service fee). After using the service twice, additional repairs — like fixing a faulty home button — cost $99.
Making it cheaper to fix the screen is part of Apple’s larger effort to get customers to worry less about iPhone wear and tear. For example, the iPhone 7 is now water resistant and able to survive drops in the toilet. Apple has long cited water damage as the biggest culprit for ruining iPhones. (AppleCare+ doesn’t cover liquid damage.)
While cracked screens are an easier fix, it’ll cost much more without the warranty: $149.
Startups like Redwood, Calif.-based iCracked have made a business out of fixing cracked smartphone screens at a more competitive price. The company sends technicians to your home, work or even a bar to repair a device for about $100. It’s like Uber for cracked screens, and cheaper than what you might pay at an Apple store.
However, Apple gives complimentary AppleCare+ for the first 90 days after customers purchase a new iPhone. If your display cracks within that time, you’d be hard pressed to find a better option than paying Apple’s $29 out of pocket fee. An AppleCare+ plan that you purchase includes two years of coverage.
The company has not yet announced when the new AppleCare+ prices kick in.