So I went to my local Apple Store, no appointment needed. Spoke to one of the store staff who fetched a manager to authorise the replacement (like for like model).



However he then basically interrogated me regarding what I had done to the phone. He stated that the phone "must have been opened" (as in pulling the screen off after removing any screws etc.), and didn't seem to believe me entirely when I told him that I had no clue how to open the phone even if I wanted to.

He just continued on, adamant that the phone had indeed been opened up, and that it must have happened after the phone was sold as "they are sealed in cellophane for quality control as soon as they leave the warehouse".



I didn't really know what to say, I just was standing there in shock that he was practically saying I was lying and that I had opened up the phone etc.





Anyway, end result is that they replaced the phone and, so far, this one appears fine.