iPhone issues - to fix or wait

[KSUWizard]

So I got my 3g for Christmas 5 months ago and some issues have just kept building up. I have one stuck pixel I'm the bottom right corner (not a big deal), a dencent amount of dust under the glass (kind of a big deal for me as it makes black areas look starry), and just recently found out my accelerometer is messed up (it thinks the phone is leaning about 5 degrees to the right when home/dock side is on flat surface). No apple store where I live but will be where one is in a few weeks. I have the 2 year AppleCare warranty. Can they replace screen and fix accelerometer? I really don't want a refurbed unit. Could I wait till new iPhone and trade up under AppleCare? Thoughts and suggetions appreciated.

Also, from what Ive researched I believe new iPhone will be exactly the same as the current 3g only with larger memory and "maybe" faster processor and better camera. Just my thoughts on the matter.

 

[Pixellated]

If you take it in now, you will get a refurb iPhone 3G (better than a new one IMO), and if you take it in 1 month, you'll get a refurb iPhone 3G. If you take it in in 1 year you will get a refurb 3G. Live with it.

 

[John T]

When you can get to an Apple Store, why not pop it in to let them have a look. Failing that, why not give AppleCare a ring and explain the situation to them. I've always found them to be very helpful.

 

[iFerd]

I don't see any need to wait a few weeks until you will be near an Apple store. I've dealt with Apple service through the mail, and it was prompt and thorough. The poster who says that you will be given a refurbished device, no matter when or where you take or send it, is correct. But you won't be able to tell it isn't brand new. So you might as well get it fixed and serviceable now, rather than putting up with the problems any longer.

And even after the new model arrives, you still will only receive a unit just like the one you currently have. They don't upgrade to a new model when service is required.

 

[DiSFLyLaTiNa]

call applecare. it's the same as going in to see a genius at the apple store. you wont be getting a brand new phone though, it's going to be refurbished. refurbished is just about the same as a brand new one though. I have a refurbished macbook and does not have any of the same flaws that other people who bought brand new ones has. Don't worry.

 

[tayshon]

Call Apple they will send you a box in like a day as long as you send it as soon as you get the box you should get your phone back in about a week. They are pretty good with this.

 

[Genomalice]

Call Apple they will send you a box in like a day as long as you send it as soon as you get the box you should get your phone back in about a week. They are pretty good with this.

Yup.. I can attest to that. I got my iPhone replaced over the phone in 4 and a half days. I called them on a Friday, got a box on Monday..shipped it noon-ish, Got a replacement verification email on Wednesday...Got my iPhone Friday around 1:30pm.

So my Phone was gone from Monday around Noon to Friday just after noon.

Replace it now, If something comes up on the next phone you still have the Applecare right and plus they'll never upgrade you to a newer-gen product!

 

[MBHockey]

When my iPhone 3G was replaced at the Genius Bar I asked if it was a refurbished unit. He said that they are "service units". Service units are new phones without all the fancy packaging -- ie, not refurbished.

I think most people think they are refurbished only because of the box it comes in.

 

[jmann]

Just do it now. It's not like they will give you a new iPhone model when it is released. You will most likely get a refurb 3G.

 

[ntrigue]

KSU, the obvious solution is to schedule a Genius Bar appointment and get either the screen replaced due to the dust, you retain all settings and songs. Or you can claim the accelerometer which may be tough to have replaced. The refurbs are exceptional. Of all I've seen they appear 100% new on the outside and the battery life is perfect. Just use your warranty and take care of your issues.

 

[KSUWizard]

Update

Went and saw a "Genius" today and heres how it went down. The only test that Apple has them do with the accelerometer is open the calculator and verify it goes from portrait to landscape. They can't do any warranty replacements unless that test fails. As far as the screen, he said dust under the screen is not covered and costs 199 to get a new screen. He did, however, give me a free one as a gesture of good faith by Apple but said after that it's on me. Anyways, lets hope I don't have any more problems until I can get the 3GS for lower then 499 bones.