AppleCare coverage for the iPhone Duo will mean affordable repairs for Apple’s first foldable, including a $99 full internal display replacement or $19 “cover layer” replacement.
Apple’s iPhone Duo may be the most complex and expensive iPhone to date, but luckily it appears to be inexpensive to repair. At least, that will be the case if you have AppleCare.
According to Apple’s service and repair website, first discovered by Quinn Nelson of SnazzyLabsthe iPhone Duo has an exchangeable cover layer that will cost just $19 with active AppleCare coverage. Of course, this will mean turning to an authorized Apple service provider to do this.
Other AppleCare repair costs include $29 for front display or back glass repair and $99 for internal display repair. Repair for accidental damage also costs $99 and replacement for theft or loss costs $149.
An interview with Kate Bergeron, Apple’s vice president of hardware engineering, shared by 9to5Macreveals that Apple’s intention with the removable overlay layer is an option for user replacement after wearing the existing layer. He said Apple designed the overlay layer to last as long as possible before a user might need to replace it.
Don’t try this at home just yet
Since we’re talking about AppleCare, that means the layer probably isn’t meant to be user-replaceable, though we won’t know how easy it is to take it apart or put a new one on until testing can be done. There’s a small chance that Apple’s self-service website will provide a path for users to purchase their own level of display coverage.
AppleCare coverage for iPhone Duo will be much cheaper than paying for repairs without it
If it comes off easily, there is also the option of using alternative third-party overlays. I could imagine different textures for the Apple Pencil, privacy layers, or glossy covers that are more durable overall.
Of course, Apple designed the iPhone Duo and its hinge mechanism to take into account the exact thickness and material of the original overlay. Knowing Apple, this is not some sort of simple screen protector-like surface and is not intended as a replacement for novice users or third-party alternatives.
Even doing without it is probably not an option.
In any case, wait until you let YouTubers with too much time and money break some iPhone Duos before you try something similar yourself. Any alternative covering layer is likely to potentially damage your iPhone Duo and even void your warranty and AppleCare.
iPhone Duo will be available for pre-order on October 16 and will ship on October 23. Pricing starts at $1,999 with 256GB of storage.
