Some Apple customers report being charged $300 for previously-free iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus microphone fix

This may be something to watch out for if you’re getting your iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus repaired.
As of May, Apple recognized that some iPhone 7 and 7 Plus devices running iOS 11.3 or later had a problem with their microphones. For a while, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers repaired the issue for free. Since July, a number of users have complained that they are now being charged for the repair, which retails for $300 on out-of-warranty devices.

The exemptions seemed to abruptly end as of July, 2018, with Apple deleting its internal document related to the microphone issue and prevented free repairs from being processed through its service portal. Since then, a number of Apple retail and support employees have refused to acknowledge the policy ever existed.
In addition, a number of users have sent along emails corroborating the absence of this program.
Apple, in turn, has yet to comment on this issue.
Stay tuned for additional details and please let us know if you’ve been affected by this change in policy from your end.
Via The Mac Observer and MacRumors