They'll do free replacements if it's a known defect, and especially if it's widely experienced. Even Nintendo does that if they sniff a potential class action and want to avoid it.
Painting Apple out to be a company that "does the right thing" without being forced to do so isn't accurate.
But perhaps I’m just lucky.
Opposite of what happened to me. "oh yes this happens all the time… it will be 80€"
Amazing service :D