I have an iPhone SE3 from 2022 that's been giving me some trouble, like a weak battery and a cracked screen, among other issues. A while back, when I visited an Apple store, a staff member casually mentioned that I could get a brand new replacement for about $250 since I don't have AppleCare and my warranty is expired. However, at my recent Genius Bar appointment, I was shocked to learn that the replacement cost is over $500, the same price as the original when I bought it. Can anyone clarify if this price is accurate? Why did I get two different quotes?
3 Answers
I'm not sure about the Genius Bar's pricing, but I saw an auction on eBay for a similar model at a good price! It's smart to check different resale platforms—you can often score a much better deal than going through Apple directly.
It sounds like there’s some confusion! The $250 quote might have been for a battery service or repair for specific issues rather than a full replacement, which is why you got that number initially. Typically, screen repairs are around $129 and other damages can be $299. You might want to check if the prices vary based on the location or specific store policies, but a replacement costing over $500 seems excessive unless it’s a special case.
If you’re open to alternatives, I found a great deal on Facebook Marketplace for a lightly used SE3 for about $230. After selling my old one, I effectively paid around $130 for the upgrade. You might want to consider that option since there are often good deals out there!

Yeah, I agree. I’m in the US too and when I looked it up, the repair costs were way lower than a complete replacement. It’s worth double-checking those prices!