A Sprint rep wrote in to Engadget detailing new changes to repair procedures. Since ending the Total Equipment Protection plans, damaged iPhone 4S units will fall into one of three categories. They include green, yellow and red and will be assigned after a diagnosis.
Green repairs include minor damage, but not cracked screens. They will be handled for free within the first year for all customers and within two years for those who bought AppleCare+. Yellow applies to more serious but repairable damage, with the cost being $49 to those with AppleCare+ and $199 to non-subscribers. Only two such repairs fall under the AppleCare+ program.
The red category is for handsets that are completely unusable. They will be replaced and shipped to Apple, and the cost of a new handset needs to be covered.
