I wouldn't trust what apple says you'd smash it and then they would say get fucked

very wasteful

So you are going to smash a $1200 phone ….no wonder phones are so high smdh

Okay here is what you do. Take a corner of a table or sink and gently smash the screen into it. Pay $30 and get it repaired.

I had a similar story to yours but I knew about a glitch in my iPhone that Apple employees were not aware of and I tried to get help multiple times. It was a minor inconvenience but I made the issue seem like a big deal and without paying any deductible got my whole iPhone replaced. This happens every year. iPhones have some sort of glitch that I can always manage to find out about and Apple employees aren’t used to handling such niche issues. Next time just say your phone has been slow. Follow through with their troubleshooting steps and still keep complaining. After 3 times they’ll give up and replace your iPhone for free.

Edit: Also use a screen protector. Now I use a screen protector.

Dude what? Why are you so obsessed over the phone. OCD much?

Imagine using your new phone with a screen protector

You’re the reason as well as a lot of others that there’s so much e-waste.

Damages phone by self.

Complains at Apple for own cosmetic damage.

Don’t be a Karen.

If the visibility of scratches is enough to make you need a new phone so bad that you're willing to smash yours now... you know that... I don't know how this needs explained but... you realize your new phone even with a screen protector will... get... scratches on it... right? Like, phone screens eventually get scratches. That's what happens. I'd recommend a flip phone if you're gonna be that crazy.

That's like getting a flat tire and then lighting your car on fire and filing a police report for the insurance money because you can't be bothered.

Tl;DR What on earth are you doing?