Earlier this year, Apple equipped its stores with a machine and tools so iPhone 5 units with damaged screens could be replaced while you wait.  The cost for having your screen replaced is $149, cheaper than the $225 fee you pay in its previous program wherein damaged devices are replaced with a new one.

This not only helps consumers save on money but Apple as well, as the replacement program costs Apple about $1 billion a year.

With the release of its newest batch of iPhones, the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, Apple is said to be expanding its repairs service. Aside from the machine that calibrates the screen and the replacement screen, fanbois can now go in and have their damaged volume buttons, vibrating motor, rear-camera, and speaker system replaced.

Aside from that, the iPhone5c’s Home button can also be replaced at the Apple Store, but it doesn’t appear that the Touch ID on the iPhone 5s will be replaceable.

If your device is under AppleCare warranty, replacement of the damaged parts will be free. If not, then be ready to spend $149 to replace a damaged screen, $79 to replace a battery, $29 to replace the iPhone 5c’s Home button – in short, you pay for each part you want replaced. But if you have a totally damaged iPhone, it would be cheaper to get a replacement or a new one.

Parts replacement takes about an hour or less, depending on the gravity of the damage.

Sources stated that replacement parts, new iPhone screen calibration machines, and training manuals for repairs have started arriving at Apple Stores so Apple may be announcing a new program soon, or they would just start rolling out the repair program without much fuss.

photo credit: magerleagues via photopin cc