iPhone and Apple Watch single hairline display cracks no longer covered under standard warranty: What is important for users to know about this change

Attention iPhone and Apple Watch owners: Apple has reportedly updated its standard warranty policy for iPhones and Apple Watch. The change in the standard warranty policy for iPhones and Apple Watch now excludes repairs for single hairline cracks on these devices. Previously, such cracks were covered under warranty if there was no other visible damage or impact point.
According to a report in 9to5Mac, Citing unnamed sources, Apple is now advising Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers to treat all hairline cracks as accidental damage.

Why this may not be big change and what it does not cover

According to these internal updates, hairline cracks are now considered “accidental damage,” requiring customers to pay for repairs. It’s important to note that this change currently only applies to iPhones and Apple Watches. Warranty coverage for similar cracks on iPads and Macs remains unchanged.
It is important to note here that while the standard one-year warranty has never really covered cosmetic damage like scratches or dents, hairline cracks were historically considered screen defects and sometimes fixed for free. This lack of a clear policy often led to inconsistent application, with some repair shops being more lenient than others. The new policy removes this flexibility and ensures a uniform approach.
Apple so far hasn’t given an official reason for this shift, but it likely aims to streamline the warranty process and potentially reduce costs associated with repairs.