I have an iPhone Air with several scratches after dropping it. One deep scratch near the top-right corner is now causing noticeable light distortion and refraction, which makes the display distracting to use. I understand that ordinary cosmetic scratches usually aren't covered, but could this scratch qualify for a screen replacement because it affects the screen's visibility? I'm also unsure whether coverage differs between standard AppleCare and AppleCare One.
1 Answer
A scratch caused by an accidental drop generally isn’t covered as a manufacturing defect under the limited warranty. The fact that it distorts light may help show that the damage affects usability, but Apple or an authorized repair provider would need to inspect it. If you have an accidental-damage plan such as AppleCare One, a screen replacement may be available for a service fee rather than being free. Check the exact coverage and current screen-repair fee for your device before visiting a repair location.
That clears things up—I was mixing up the standard warranty with AppleCare One. I’ll have Apple inspect the phone and ask about the accidental-damage replacement cost.