dose apple cover unlock iphone?

[showtime]

the only problem i can see with this is if the genius does agree to your problems and then agrees to replace your phone, you are going to lose your friends sim card.

he could still just call the operator and ask for a replacement sim card, but it would take time and invariably there is a charge to get a replacement sim card..

someone please correct me if i'm wrong..

I doubt they would need your sim card, especially for hardware problem. If anything just tell them that you have a spare phone to use and that you need your sim card.

Also, don't they usually replace your phone on the spot with a refurbished unit? Has anyone ever taken in an iPhone because of hardware problems and actually have to have the phone sent out for repair?

 

[paduck]

and if you bought say a new car and hacked the computer to make fuel more efficient, do you think they would fix it free of charge if it caused problems, just an example.

They might not fix the engine, but they certainly would replace/repair a sliding minivan door, regardless of what you did to the engine. Cars are a little different anyway because you are legally allowed to take them to whatever service place you want, dealer or not, for routine maintenance and it doesn't void the warranty.

However, if you use AT&T, but unlock the phone so that you can use it overseas on another carrier, it might be a little harder for Apple to identify what you have done. Especially on an issue like recharging. Not that you would want to risk that....

 

[munroe]

I have read about multiple experiences in the US where users had jailbroken and/or unlocked their phone, ran into a hardware problem, then:
1. Restored the software.
2. Called apple for repair, playing dumb.
3. Made up a story about how it got into de-activated mode whilst they were trying to solve the problem (via restoring, etc.)
4. Sent it in for repair.
5. Apple repaired it and sent it back.

Of course I wouldn't want to find myself in that situation, so I'd be very careful when jailbreaking and unlocking. (And you dear reader should be too!) You can't be sure that you won't do something that really does void your warranty - whatever the legal standing is on that (modifying firmware, baseband, bootloader - it's rather pointless to argue since there's no legal precident in this rather new kind of scenario and this forum covers several jurisdictions).

However, I'd certainly try to send it in the above fashion if I ran in to a hardware problem so fundamental such as not charging after restoring to factory baseband and firmware. Any you'd be crazy not to try.