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Apple says some bent iPhone 6/Plus phones will be replaced under warranty

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An Apple support representative has told TNW that iPhone 6/Plus phones that have experienced warping in normal use would qualify for replacement under warranty if they pass a test known as “a visual mechanical inspection.” It should be noted that this is simply one AppleCare rep speaking, and not an official statement by Apple.

That is 100 percent up to the Genius you speak with at the store. There is a test called a Visual Mechanical Inspection that the device will have to pass. If it is within the guidelines, they will be able to cover it. If not, the replacement would be a paid one.

Apple was not able to provide any information on what the test involves, though one commentator below suggests that it is simply comparing the phone to a set of reference photos used to distinguish phones damaged by misuse from those considered faulty. In some rather Steve-like phrasing, the representative said that support chatroom comments revealed that “we’re looking into this with an insane amount of detail.”

Photos of the iPhone 6 and, especially, 6 Plus bending whilst in pockets starting emerging a couple of days ago. Video tests, though, do seem to indicate that a substantial degree of force is required.

Our own poll suggested that around 30 percent of readers are concerned about the issue, with 11.5 percent saying that they already own an iPhone 6 and are worried about damaging it, and 18 percent stating that they are delaying purchase until the issue is resolved.

iDevice warranty specialists SquareTrade found that the iPhone 6 passed all its breakability tests, describing it as the “toughest iPhone yet” and noting that it beat all other phones in its drop tests.

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iPhone 6 “toughest iPhone yet” as it passes all SquareTrade’s breakability tests

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpx6r5FVXPo]

If anyone has more interest than its owner in how well a phone survives accidents, it’s the insurance companies that have to fork out afterwards. iDevice warranty specialists SquareTrade put the iPhone 6 through a series of breakability tests, and found that it was the toughest iPhone yet.

The tests began with ‘grippability’ – how likely you are to drop the phone in the first place – then ran through slide tests, submersion in water and a series of six drops from a height of four feet … 
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New rubber gaskets around buttons help iPhone 6/Plus withstand brief dips in water

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[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpx6r5FVXPo&start=47]

In iFixit’s ritual dismantling of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus last week, the repair company noted that Apple had started including rubber gaskets around the power and volume buttons likely in an effort to make the iPhone more water and dust resistant.

Similar gaskets surround the volume buttons. Altogether, this seems to represent a move toward increased water/dust resistance, and therefore improved durability.

iPhone-6-water-proof-gasketsiFixit

How did Apple do? Well iPhone warranty provider Squaretrade was able to dunk both the 6 and 6 Plus for 10 seconds without any real damage. While this is indeed nice to have, especially for those of us who like to take our iPhones with us to the pool, it is by no means a guarantee like Samsung and Sony have on some of their phones.

And then there is the toilet. If you are willing to go after your iPhone 6 within a few seconds, you might actually have a good chance at saving it.

The slightly amphibious nature of the iPhone 6 isn’t entirely new either. Previous iPhones have been able to go underwater for a few seconds (see iPhone 5c below) but as you can see buttons and features rapidly begin to fail. 
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One area that Moto X beats out new iPhones: Durability

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dLuwkrbhmYU

From 9to5Google:

We’ve enjoyed seeing the new iPhones get smashed to pieces in the inevitable drop tests that followed the launch of Apple’s two new smartphones this month, but what we really want to know is how it holds up against some of its Android competition. SquareTrade has just completed a durability test (via AllThingsD), and found that not only are the new iPhones not performing as well as last year’s models, the new 5s and plastic-backed 5c were both beat by Motorola’s new flagship Moto X:

“We were expecting that at least one of the new iPhone models would up its game but surprisingly, it was the Moto X that proved most forgiving of accidents,” SquareTrade marketing chief Ty Shay said in a statement. “This is the first time we’ve tested the breakability on a Motorola phone, the only phone we’ve ever tested that’s made in the USA. We were pleased to find that it withstood our drop, slide and dunk test with only the slightest dent. It looks like Google is giving Apple and Samsung a run for their money.”

The new iPhones did, however, beat out Samsung’s Galaxy S4, which was also included in the durability test.

SquareTrade now covers jailbroken iPhones

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Third-party warranty firm SquareTrade now covers jailbroken iPhones, unlike Apple’s own AppleCare service program.

A jailbroken iPhone simply means it is freed from the limitations imposed by Apple for safety measures. It gives users extensive access to the internal system with options to install non-App Store third-party software. The procedure, however, voids Apple and carriers’ warranty offerings.

SquareTrade’s Vice President of Strategy Vince Tseng told 9to5Mac exclusively that jailbroken iPhones are eligible for coverage, but the firm does not cover issues that occur as a result of jailbreaking. When jailbreak-related software mishaps occur, Tseng said SquareTrade will only provide support options. Moreover, iPhones with jailbreak-related hardware mishaps are not eligible for coverage, and such situations will void any SquareTrade warranty.

The warranty offered through SquareTrade covers when a “techie” jailbreaks an iPhone, and then drops or breaks it. At that point, the coverage guarantees a replacement or repaired smartphone—depending on a user’s preference and case. The inclusive change affects both existing and new coverage holders.

“The warranty service is for all iOS devices,” Tseng further elaborated, “and it covers four claims, where as Apple only covers two claims.”


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