Broken GPS - ready to replace - "Oh wait, water damage"

[Kaitlyn2004]

So I took my phone to the apple store. For a while about 90% of the time it fails to get a GPS signal. It just gets the wifi/cell tower "approximate" location.

They brought it outside with me, played around with it and eventually confirmed it needed replacement.

As he is processing it he checks the phone and points out a "water damage indicator" below the dock. Warranty void, no replacement.

I've had my phone in a case since day 1 - have taken EXCELLENT care of it. I know 100% I didn't drop it in any puddles or have water running down it. Any rain = it got covered!

Furthermore, I got it in August and here in Canada we have nice cold, dry winters! It's not like there would have been any humidity risks.. and anything we WOULD have had would not have compared to the all-year-round hot+humid places.

So what the hell? I have no clue WHAT *might* have caused it to turn pink at any time and I know I treated it so carefully. It was shipped to me and for all I know it happened during original transport!

Is there anything I can do?

 

[Agent 21]

Where is this indicator and can we see if it's been tripped with the naked eye or do they have to do something to check? I ask because it seems like MOST issues with fixing/replacing seem to be with this indicator (not necessarily that they need replacing due to water damage but that they can't have other problems fixed because of it) and it seems like they can trip from the randomest things, including NO water contact (so the posters say anyway), and given that my job has me traveling to very humid places and around water constantly it would seem like mine is destined to trip lol. I just want to know what to look for so if my phone ever does have a problem I can tell if I should even bother bringing it in.

 

[Stoopkid]

They use a little thing similar to what a doctor uses to look in your ear. The indicator is down inside the headphone jack. It will appear to be pink if there's water damage.

I had a similar issue with a 3G with a cracked case and a bad volume switch. Took it in to the Apple Store and the kid took it in back and came out and said normally they'd replace the switch but because of the crack they were just going to replace the phone. All he had to do was check for water damage. Comes back and tells me there is some minor water damage and I called BS. The phone was never near water, never out of the case, never even saw rain! So he shows me, look through the little magnifier and sure as poop there it was. Little bit of pink discoloration visible on something down there.

They went ahead and replaced it but then again two months later the 3GS was announced so they were probably trying to unload the shelves...I got a refurb unit back but still. I take care of my stuff...