iPhone 11 - earphone speaker

[bluepoole]

OK so was at the iStore this morning.

The guy did diagnostics and confirmed the speaker was giving problems. Then proceeded to completely fix it with a piece of prestik (turns out the speaker was just dirty). It is actually quite good now again. Didn't know of the prestik trick - it really works well.

That being said, he did say that a screen replacement will fix the speaker too as they sell it as a unit. But more specifically, he picked up that my phone's battery was at 79% health, so he suggested it might be worthwhile to do both in one go.

I said to proceed.

At which point we discovered that my 128GB iPhone 11 wasn't a device sold by the iStore (I bought the phone in the US), and according to policy they can't check it in and repair it, even if they have the parts.
So phone was returned to me.

I'm busy getting in touch with Digicape (who has a pickup service) and at least according to the guy over the phone, it shouldn't be a problem to repair the phone.

So much for Apple’s “it’s all about the user’s experience” philosophy…once again Core being a disgrace to the Apple brand

 

[TheBadMadMan]

...my 128GB iPhone 11 wasn't a device sold by the iStore (I bought the phone in the US), and according to policy they can't check it in and repair it, even if they have the parts.
So phone was returned to me.

I'm busy getting in touch with Digicape (who has a pickup service) and at least according to the guy over the phone, it shouldn't be a problem to repair the phone.

So you brought a grey import device and expect the local arm to support it? Not going to happen.

 

[Spizz]

So you brought a grey import device and expect the local arm to support it? Not going to happen.

Or, he bought the phone overseas and asked them to fix it with genuine Apple parts for which he would willingly pay.

Why would this be an issue?

 

[ebendl]

Or, he bought the phone overseas and asked them to fix it with genuine Apple parts for which he would willingly pay.

Why would this be an issue?

Out of warranty - I'm not insisting that Apple fix it under warranty.

That being said - it does look like this is particularly an issue around iPhones with some quick google.

Edit: OK, Digicape doesn't do screen repairs (apparently?) - only battery replacements. Or at least, that's what the lady says. No idea if this is accurate.

 

[prod]

Out of warranty - I'm not insisting that Apple fix it under warranty.

That being said - it does look like this is particularly an issue around iPhones with some quick google.

Edit: OK, Digicape doesn't do screen repairs (apparently?) - only battery replacements. Or at least, that's what the lady says. No idea if this is accurate.

Have you checked with weFix? Not sure how good/reliable they are but I see they do screen repairs.

 

[ebendl]

Have you checked with weFix? Not sure how good/reliable they are but I see they do screen repairs.

Nope, wanted to do it "officially" but I'll probably go that route next.

I did think of trying the trade-in route at the iStore, but I'm guessing they won't accept a gray import.

The phone is actually still relatively fine - battery doesn't quite do 2 days like it used to but lasts a day, and the screen doesn't really bother me too much (it's one crack). The speaker was the biggest issue but the prestik did it's job.

So I'll probably just keep on using it until it is really painful and then I'll go the third party route.



Phone is almost 3 years old, so if it can last one more year I'd be happy.

 

[Spizz]

Out of warranty - I'm not insisting that Apple fix it under warranty.

Exactly. I don't understand why iStore will not fix it if you pay them for the parts and labour? Why does it matter where you bought it? Surely they must have some sort of agreement with Apple for replacing with genuine parts whether it was bought in South Africa or Timbuktu.

That being said - it does look like this is particularly an issue around iPhones with some quick google.

 

[ebendl]

Exactly. I don't understand why iStore will not fix it if you pay them for the parts and labour? Why does it matter where you bought it? Surely they must have some sort of agreement with Apple for replacing with genuine parts whether it was bought in South Africa or Timbuktu.

I can understand that the phones might have different radios and local compliance issues, and that some models are perhaps not sold in SA (e.g. the 128GB version, although it doesn't seem as if that was the case).

But doing a screen replacement and a battery swap-out, which are standard across the range, I'd definitely expect them to be able to do.

I might just try another iStore, come to think of it.

 

[Spizz]

I can understand that the phones might have different radios and local compliance issues, and that some models are perhaps not sold in SA (e.g. the 128GB version, although it doesn't seem as if that was the case).

But doing a screen replacement and a battery swap-out, which are standard across the range, I'd definitely expect them to be able to do.

I might just try another iStore, come to think of it.

I'd try another store if you can. It would be super weird if Apple who have the ultimate walled garden and are hell bent on making everyone use only Apple products and parts didn't allow iStore to do these kind of repairs.

FYI, I replaced faulty AirPods that I bought in Singapore under an Apple recall scheme at the iStore in Somerset West.