It’s not just the iPhone X that is costly, but its repairs are costlier too. After the premium phone went on pre-order today, Apple updated its site with the non-warranty service pricing (first spotted by MacRumors).
Pay more for iPhone X screen repair
For buyers who do not have the extended warranty, replacing the screen will set you back $279. In comparison, the iPhone 7 screen replacement costs $149, while for the iPhone 8 Plus, it is $169. Apart from the iPhone X screen repair, other damages too will cost you dearly. Other out-of-warranty repairs will set you back $549 (equivalent to a OnePlus 5), unless it is a manufacturing defect. This is again much higher than earlier iPhones repair costs. For instance, the iPhone 8 repairs cost $349 and for the 8 Plus it is $399.
The prices charged vary by country. In Australia, iPhone X screen repair is $419 and other damage is $819; in Canada, it is $359 for screen repairs and $709 for other damage; in the UK it is £286 for screen and £556 for other damage; Germany users will have to pay €321 for screen repairs and €611 for other damage.
The bump in the iPhone X screen repair price is not surprising, considering the limited supply of the OLED panels, and the fact that Samsung is currently the sole supplier of this screen to Apple.
Better to buy AppleCare+
Considering the repair prices, Apple now gives one more reason for buyers to go for the AppleCare+ program. For the iPhone 6s, 7 and 8, the plan costs $129, while it costs $149 for the iPhone 6s Plus, 7 Plus and 8 Plus. For the iPhone X, you will have to pay $199 to buy AppleCare+. For users protected by AppleCare+, iPhone X repairs cost the same as any other iPhone – screen repair is $29 and other damage is $99.
Other benefits of the AppleCare+ is that you get 24/7 priority access (via an online chat portal) to AppleCare advisors for up to two years. If you do not purchase the plan, you get only 90 days telephone support and a limited one-year warranty.
Availability slips to December
You should now start worrying about the repair cost if you have already booked the iPhone X and got a shipping date of next week. If not, then don’t worry for at least a few more months, as the phone now won’t ship until December. Apple Stores in the U.S., China, Japan, UK and other countries are showing a delivery time of five to six weeks. The Apple Store in Hong Kong says “no supply available.”
If you want the iPhone X, but haven’t yet ordered it, the only options for you is to stand in line at an Apple retail store (and hope its not too long and the store has enough stock), or pay a premium for an already super premium phone and buy from eBay. Reports are that some lucky ones are already selling their pre-orders for $1,500 and more.
It could take weeks, if not months, to see the regular supply of iPhone X in stores. As of now, there are no comments from Apple over the shipping dates.
