By Shahabuddin Amerudin
On September 10th, 2023, my trusty iPhone 13 Pro, now nearly 21 months old and beyond its warranty period, threw me an unexpected curveball with a perplexing screen problem. To my dismay, the screen began flickering erratically, causing not only concern but also significant inconvenience. Determined to find a solution, I scoured the depths of online forums and blogs, hoping for a quick fix through software updates or adjusted settings. Regrettably, my efforts yielded no resolution.
As the morning of September 11th dawned, the issue escalated, with the screen slowly transitioning into an unsettling shade of green. Despite multiple attempts to restart the phone, the green hue stubbornly persisted. Faced with this increasingly bizarre situation, I decided to seek professional assistance and reached out to the Switch Kulai branch, where I had initially purchased the iPhone.
The response from the Switch Kulai team was reassuring. A helpful Malay representative explained that this screen problem had become somewhat of a regular occurrence among iPhone 13 series users. Many had faced similar issues. She strongly recommended that I take my device to an authorized service provider in Nusajaya. What caught my attention was her assurance that Apple would bear the cost of the screen replacement, provided my phone had not undergone unauthorized servicing, tampering, or suffered damage due to falls or water exposure. However, it came as a surprise that the service provider was closed on Sundays and Mondays.
With determination, I visited the Switch branch in Nusajaya on September 12th at 10:45 AM. The process began with me registering my contact details using an iPad at the entrance, followed by a patient wait for my turn. A friendly Malay lady meticulously examined my iPhone and initiated a detailed report to be sent to Apple. She explained that if no internal issues were detected, the screen replacement would proceed that very afternoon. However, if any anomalies surfaced, the technician would first need to open the device, assess the situation, and seek Apple’s approval for the screen replacement. In the worst case, I may have to pay the full or a portion of the cost.
To my immense relief, the same lady called at 5:15 PM that day to notify me that the replacement work had been successfully completed. Racing to the store, I was reunited with my iPhone, now adorned with a pristine, brand-new screen. The total cost for this was RM1,400, with an additional RM100 for diagnostic charges. Remarkably, Apple graciously covered these expenses under their “One Time Exception” program, amounting to RM1,500, and extended a 90-day Apple Limited Warranty.
The experience left me profoundly grateful and entirely satisfied. The entire process unfolded with remarkable smoothness, exceeding my expectations. If you ever find yourself grappling with a screen issue on your iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Pro, I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to your nearest Apple authorized service provider. It’s a service that not only saves you time but also money.
I’d like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone involved in resolving this issue promptly. However, it’s worth noting that the ever-evolving tech landscape means that Apple has already introduced the iPhone 15, reminding us of the relentless march of progress in the world of technology.