As you are reading this article, you must have already bought a phone with a one-year warranty from the date you bought it. This warranty is a written promise that the manufacturer will repair or replace your phone if it has a manufactured defect or damage within a defined time frame from the date of purchase.
Any harm you cause, on the other hand, is usually not covered by your free warranty. So, what are the limitations of a free warranty?
Phone Damage Not Protected By Your Free Warranty
These limitations of a free warranty shall be discussed deeply in this article to help you make the right choices as you handle your phone.
1. Physical Damage
Nearly everyone has dropped their phone or tablet and felt their heart race as they consider the potential harm their screen might sustain from hitting the hard ground. On good days, the earpiece comes to the rescue, and occasionally a fall may do such little damage that your phone is unharmed.
But if lady luck isn’t on your side, your smartphone can get a broken screen, scratches, dents, or any other kind of physical damage that would impair its appearance or operation. Unfortunately, your complimentary warranty does not extend to physical damages. Either you would need to purchase more insurance or pay for the expense of repairs.
However, minimizing the danger of physical device damage from unforeseen falls can be achieved by utilizing screen protectors and protective cases on your phones and tablets.
2. Damage From Water or Other Liquids
Electronic devices and water have never made the best of friends. You’d be shocked at how frequently it occurs, despite the fact that you may believe the likelihood of your phone falling into water is remote.
Every day, a mobile device cycles through a washing machine, plunges into the toilet, or is exposed to moisture. Fortunately, there are a ton of cellphones that are waterproof or water resistant on the market. The water resistance claim is usually subject to qualification, such as a cap on the maximum water depth or a time limit on how long a phone may be protected from water.
You run the risk of irreparably harming your phone if you go beyond these restrictions. Sadly, if your phone can’t be revived, you could have to spend a lot of money on a new one. If water ruins your phone, your manufacturer won’t stand by you.
3. Software Damage
All of us enjoy the thought of being able to control and customize our gadgets, which is made possible by either rooting or jailbreaking them, depending on the operating system. When you “root” a phone, you obtain unauthorized access to the operating system of your device and can change system settings and files that the manufacturer would ordinarily prevent you from changing. This is referred to as jailbreaking on iOS.
However, jailbreaking or rooting your phone runs the risk of bricking it. The term “bricked phone” refers to a device that is about as functional as a chunk of brick. They are completely useless because they don’t work or reply.
Additionally, your manufacturer is not obligated to fix or replace your bricked device as a result of jailbreaking or rooting, as they initially forbade you from customizing the operating system to your preferences.
Similar to this, your free warranty does not cover losses brought on by downloading malware or installing illegal software.
4. Loss or Theft
Both of these scenarios have the potential to be excruciatingly painful. We’ve established the rationale behind why many manufacturers refuse to pay for the harm you do to their products, which is understandable. But why are they hesitant to replace it when things like having your phone stolen or losing it happen?
It would cost manufacturers an ocean of money to keep up with every claim on these grounds because electronic items like laptops, smartwatches, and mobile phones are simple targets for theft. In order to prevent theft or loss of your gadgets, you should use built-in tracking capabilities like find my phone and keep them secure.
In the unfortunate event that your phone is stolen or misplaced, you should contact your phone provider or the local police right away. They might be fortunate enough to quickly reclaim your phone for you. Additionally, notwithstanding your warranty, you might be able to make a claim for a lost or stolen item through your home insurance or a similar program.
5. DIY Repair Damage
Your warranty will be void at any time if you repair any damage to your device on your own. The expense and wait time for receiving your device back if you submit it to the manufacturer for repairs makes it more enticing to fix a factory-damaged phone yourself or take it to a nearby phone expert.
However, if you introduce new issues into the phone that weren’t there before the repair attempt, you risk further damaging it. Additionally, because the new damage is a direct result of your actions, the maker of your phone would infer that you deliberately caused the harm (including the factory defect).
Therefore, it is best to get in touch with your manufacturer before doing any self-repairs on your phone.
6. Age-Related Damage Or Wear And Tear
According to a proverb, “nothing lasts forever.” The same applies to your phone. Your devices will deteriorate in several ways as you use them over time.
It might develop a few chips and scratches, lose a few buttons, and have a battery that isn’t as strong as when it was new. Even with diligent use, these things should happen to your phone after a few years. By then, your free warranty would have expired. And if it hasn’t, we apologize, but the wear and tear is not covered by your free warranty.
7. Damage from Power Surge, Electrical Faults, and Power Outages
Your electronics may be irreparably damaged by power spikes and blackouts. Additionally, if you use a charger that is not suggested by the maker of your phone or if lightning strikes it during a thunderstorm, you risk damaging your phone.
These occurrences may severely damage some device components that are not covered by the warranty. Use surge protectors to take the necessary steps to shield your electronics from power surges. Additionally, you must utilize manufacturer-recommended chargers and unplug your electronics during thunderstorms.
8. Abuse or Misuse
We occasionally have a gut feeling that alerts us when we are handling our phones improperly. In certain circumstances, you should follow your instincts. Your manufacturer’s warranty will not cover damage that results from using your phone in a way that wasn’t intended.
Therefore, use your equipment with care and avoid taking unwarranted risks like tossing them or positioning them at absurd heights where a fall could be fatal.
9. Lack of Maintenance
The same principles apply to taking care of your phone as they do to taking regular baths, eating wholesome meals, and exercising frequently. Of course, we don’t advise you to bathe, feed, or exercise your phone on a treadmill. Instead, keep its software up to current, shield it from moisture and bad weather, and use screen protectors and protective covers.
You run the risk of nullifying your warranty and being responsible for paying for the phone’s repair or replacement if you neglect or don’t maintain your equipment.
Bonus Points
Is Phone Insurance Something You Should Consider?
Reminder: Free warranties only cover manufacturing flaws or damage at the time of assembly. You might need to purchase a broader insurance policy if any damage from the aforementioned situations occurs. Therefore, if you have a high risk that your phone will sustain accidental damage, theft, loss, or liquid damage, you can buy device insurance. Additional benefits from your insurance plan could include expedited repairs or replacement, coverage for accessories, or even global coverage.
Consider, however, that you are someone who takes great care to secure your technology. You don’t have to choose insurance because the price of paying the premiums can outweigh any potential advantages.
Free Warranties Do Not Qualify For Free Phone Replacements
Don’t be fooled; just because a warranty is free doesn’t imply you can abuse or misuse your item. It is only intended to allow a manufacturer to fix or replace your phone if there was a flaw or damage when it was being produced.
However, be prepared to pay the price for breaking the regulations by paying out of pocket for repairs or replacement if you are not willing to use your smartphone according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If your phone is vulnerable to theft, loss, or accidental damage, you could also choose to purchase insurance.