Not always.

I took a 14 month old iPhone 7 into the store which wouldn't charge or communicate via the lightning port. In the engineer's words it was "in perfect condition".

They couldn't repair it, wouldn't do anything because I didn't have apple care and the only way to get around it was a new device.

Nice paperweight though

14 month falls under a reasonable warranty period, so you could've claimed that. In the EU at least you'd have a very good case and they wouldn't cause trouble.

It could've been something trivial though, lint tends to pile up in the back of the lightning port, eventually causing the problem you described. Poking the back of the port with a needle or something often helps.

I'm pursuing the retailer/credit card company under the consumer rights and consumer credit act in the UK but they're requesting an engineer's report stating this is a manufacturing fault which is very difficult to get.

Tried cleaning it, there's no dirt or anything in there

So you're in the EU, and Apple isn't helping you, nor is the EU bothering to enforce it's own laws.

I must say, I'm still wondering why Apple gets a pass on the "usb charging for all phones" laws.

Couldn't you demonstrate right there that the Lightning port wouldn't charge the iPhone? Seems like a pretty simple way to refute the technician's claim.

Sorry badly worded on my part - he meant in perfect condition apart from the fault (ie: we hadn't drowned it or dropped the phone to cause any issue) but couldn't do anything

To clarify, he said that he couldn't repair the iPhone (with you paying for it)?

yes, even if I paid for it. Only solution is to replace the device.

I've found it's highly variable depending on the person you get. I've had some people that are really great and just help me replace it or figure out options. I've had other people force me to reinstall the OS even though the issue is clearly hardware and then come back in a week showing the same problem.

The subsidized battery replacement program is intended to offset the significant civil liability they have from making these phones poorly in the first place. This is not charity or even a long term business decision, it ends January 1.

I've built my own PCs for a decade, every hardware manufacturer I've dealt with has a better RMA policy than Apple.

It depends. As soon as something happens to the screen, they charge ridiculous money for repair. Went through that with an iPad pro. 3rd party repair with (a different) screen was a small fraction of the cost

Apple's screen prices are actually fair if you care about getting a "good" one. If you don't (and if you're not using it for color-related work it doesn't really matter) then unofficial screens can be a good deal.

My experience: I replaced my laptop screen thru iFixit and the replacement part had a "soft focus" camera. It also has worse backlight bleed+a little bit less contrast than the official part, and a dead pixel.

They had good customer service and when I complained about the camera and they refunded me some money, but next time I will probably (begrudgingly) pay the Apple tax.

What really happened is Apple was forced to replace your device, because they

1 sold defective devices in the first place, hence 'battery replacement' program aka lets do something after ignoring years of public pressure, but just before big lawsuit comes (famous Fight Club recall equation).

2 designed products and procedures in such a way as to minimize the ability of repair by non specialized technical personnel. Glued parts, sneaky short holes and different length screws, LCD screens blowing backlight circuit if you unplug them without unplugging battery first, etc.

If I get a new device for $29 then why exactly should I care?

The only reason you are getting new device is because Apple was caught yet again with factory defect. It isnt a charitable gift, its their obligation.

Consumers like you are why Apple will continue to rip people off and only respond when their is a threat of a Class Action lawsuit like they did with the batteries

You should care because one day the issue you have will not impact thousands of customers and.or will not raise to the level that a class action lawsuit would be possible and you will be one of the thousands of people that have been screwed over by Apple's business practices...

I am sure this will fall of deaf ears though hopefully you will remember your attitude on this day when you are standing in front of a "Genius" refusing to help you