Last week, we reported on rumors about Apple potentially bricking the iPhone. Now, a less radical alternative has emerged: maybe Apple will not honor warranties on iPhones that have been unlocked from the AT&T network in the US – whether via hardware or software.
As Jason D. O'Grady reports on his ZDNet blog, one iPhone user, who was running various third-party apps (no biggie) as well as T-Mobile, the Apple Store refused to service the iPhone, which was showing a green tint on its screen.
After many conversations, including one with the manager, the Apple Store agreed to take the unit back – with a 10% restocking fee.
So: the moral is: put your AT&T SIM back in, if you've hacked your iPhone via software. Conversely, if you've left large lumps of solder in the guts of it – then we think Apple is dead right to say 'No'.
But if consumers start buying up iPhones from third parties who unlock them, and then start returning faulty units to Apple – they might be in for a rude shock. As with AppleCare on any product, it's the manufacturer that determines whether they will repair it. How Apple will circumvent the DCMA, which says you can unlock your phone is another issue. But in our crystal ball, we do see hungry lawyers snapping in the shark tank.
