When you invest in a new mobile phone, you plan to use it for a significant amount of time. If you’re like most people, you spend a fair amount of time researching phones to find just the right one for you, and then you put your hard-earned money into it. So you never want to experience the soul-crushing heartache of suddenly finding yourself with the dreaded “black screen of death.” Phone warranties are one way of possibly saving yourself from having to finance yet another phone. What exactly are phone warranties, what should they include, and how long do they last? Read on to get many of your mobile phone warranty questions answered.
When you purchase a new mobile phone, it will come with a warranty. Mobile phone warranties are the manufacturer’s guarantee that the device is in good working condition and that it will hold up against regular use. The warranty is basically a contract that says if the phone doesn’t live up to basic expectations of working well over a specified amount of time, the manufacturer will repair it or replace it.
Typically, manufacturers’ phone warranties last a year. When you purchase a new mobile phone, make sure you read the fine print though. Some phone warranties are as short as 90 days, while others may last as long as two years. You can find out just how long the warranty on your new phone is by checking the manufacturer’s website. Here are a few of the most popular mobile phone manufacturer’s warranty sites.
While used mobile phones don’t automatically come with a warranty, if it’s a newer model, it’s possible that the phone you purchase still has the warranty intact. For example, if you purchase a phone with a two-year warranty and it’s only one year old, it’s still eligible for the second half of its warranty even though it has changed owners.
Extended phone warranties are exactly what they sound like—extensions of the original warranty. They keep the same coverage as the manufacturer’s warranty, but for a longer amount of time. Usually, extended warranties can be one, two, or three years depending on what you’re willing to pay for.
Purchasing an extended warranty is ultimately up to you, but there are those who think it’s better to save your money and use it to pay for any repairs if they are needed after the initial warranty. If you decide to sell your used phone before the warranty expires, an extended warranty can help your phone stand out among others for sale as an extra perk.
Phone warranties generally cover the device against defects and hardware malfunctions. If you order a new phone and it’s delivered with a broken screen, the warranty covers it. If the manufacturer discovers a default in the electronics causing the devices to overheat, the warranty covers it. And if the battery suddenly stops working through no fault of your own, the warranty will probably cover it.
What if you drop your phone and the screen cracks? Or you spend a fun afternoon swimming in a pool, only to realize your phone was in your pocket the whole time? Or what if your phone gets stolen? Unfortunately, none of these are covered by a basic manufacturer’s warranty. Any user-caused issues, acts of nature, or basically any problem that wasn’t a defect of the device are not covered.
Mobile phone insurance is extra protection you can purchase. It covers more than phone warranties. You usually pay month-to-month, and you can cancel it at any time. mobile phone insurance policies differ, but they often cover electrical and mechanical failures as well as lost, stolen, or damaged phones. So if you go swimming with an insured mobile phone, chances are it will be covered under your insurance plan. Often mobile phone insurance covers three subcategories of damage: liquid damage, accidental damage from handling (drops, spills, and cracked screens), and comprehensive damage, which is all other damage other than accidental damage from handling.
