Phone Replacement Policy Inconsistencies - Please help!

I am trying to get a claim filed for a phone replacement under one year of service. I have different reps telling me different things about making payments for me to even be eligible to file the claim. The first rep told me I couldn't file because the warranty. The second rep said I could file but after I pay my balance off (which I was behind but paid that off no problem). After paying the balance the third rep said I needed to pay off the entire balance of the phone before I would be eligible for a replacement. This is upsetting because I haven't even had the phone a year and it's not working (swollen battery). At this point, I am beyond frustrated because I can't keep giving all my money for these phones that shouldn't be breaking less than a year to begin with. So the rep said she could help me with an additional $85.00 payment to early upgrade. I AM LIVID as I only want this phone replaced, not upgraded thus paying more money. So in the end my bank account is in the negative because I had to submit 3 different payments just to get a new phone and I still do not understand why my phone is not being replaced! Our phones come with a 1 year warranty. I got this phone thanksgiving of 2024. Why the adhesive is ripping apart my phone, I have no clue. I barely take my phone out the house as I work from home. There should be better verbiage on these policies included in the payment details of our bills or somewhere more obvious. I would have had better success switching carriers or getting apple care separately. This is insane! Then I go through with it just for her to say that the payment didn't go through but I now have missing $85 from my account so if the payment didn't approve why is it missing from my bank account. In the end I still am without a claim filed, a replacement phone on its way, or a refund or new device. Please HELP!