Let’s take a closer look.
What Is AppleCare?
AppleCare is Apple’s first-party warranty plan for its devices.
Image Credit:Apple
AddingAppleCare+, Apple’s extended warranty, increases these periods of protection so your devices are covered for longer.
Normally, we advise against buying extended warranties for electronics.
However, AppleCare is a special case due to Apple’s tight control over its products.
Notably, AppleCare+ also covers accidental damage, as we’ll discuss shortly.
Apple lets you transfer AppleCare+ coverage in many cases.
If you sell or give away your equipment, the rest of the warranty goes with it.
This can make it easier to sell your equipment down the road, as extra coverage sweetens the deal.
Check out Apple’sAppleCare transfer pagefor information.
How Do I Get AppleCare+?
To do so, visit theAppleCare Products pageand clickBuy Nowat the top-right.
This requires you to run a remote diagnostic so Apple can confirm your machine is in good shape.
you’re free to also buy AppleCare+ for your iPhone or iPad right from the gadget.
Image Credit:Apple
Not sure if you have AppleCare+ already?
Sign intoApple’s My Support pageand it’s possible for you to check the status for all your devices.
What Does AppleCare+ Cover?
AppleCare+ includes coverage for the entire gadget and any included accessories, including the battery.
If the battery falls below 80% of its original capacity, Apple will replace it.
Your purchase also includes 24/7 support via online chat or phone call.
Items covered under warranty include the battery, power adapter, RAM, and similar.
The service prices are the same as other Mac repairs.
Pricing:
AppleCare+ for iPhone
Apple offers two AppleCare+ plans for your iPhone.
The first is standard AppleCare+, which provides two years of coverage as discussed above.
For deeper coverage, Apple also offers the AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss plan.
This includes everything in the standard plan, plus coverageif your iPhone is lost or stolen.
Paying for two years outright is less expensive than going month-to-month.
It also includes coverage for the Apple Pencil and Apple-branded iPad keyboards, if you own them.
In addition, the plan covers the iPad’s battery and all included cables.
This includes the machine and its battery.
Apple charges a fee of $69 ($79 for the Apple Watch Hermes) for repair services.
Each damage instance is covered for a $15 fee.
Since the Apple TV is less expensive than other devices, its payment plan is a bit different.
it’s possible for you to pay the entire amount upfront, or spread it over six months.
Either way, you’ll enjoy protection for three years.
The plan lasts for two years and covers the gear, battery, and charging cables.
Service repairs cost $29 per visit.
This plan requires full payment upfront for AirPods and AirPods Pro.
Coverage includes the machine and battery, plus the earbuds and charging cable.
If you accidentally damage it, you’re able to pay Apple $29 for a repair.
Pricing:$59 for two years
Is AppleCare+ Worth It?
If AppleCare+ was just a warranty, it would be pretty easy to recommend against it.
And the support service for questions isn’t that important, due to the wealth of information available online.
However, AppleCare+ also includes fixes for accidental damage.
An iPhone screen repair, for instance, costs $29 with AppleCare+ no matter what rig you have.
“Other repairs,” which include anything aside from the battery and screen, are more costly.
Say you buy a new iPhone every two years and expect to crack the screen once per phone.
AppleCare+ coverage for an iPhone 13 costs $149 upfront, plus $29 for the repair.
Without this, you’d pay $279 out of pocket for the repair.
Since the newest iPhones are all-screen on the front, their screen repair prices are higher than older models.
Consider what equipment you’re buying and whether you expect to accidentally damage it.
It may be more cost-effective to simply set aside a bit of money each month for repairs.
Then, if you don’t damage your equipment, you’ll have that money for something else.
If you’re able to afford to replace something, it isn’t really worth insuring.
You might want to check the prices ofother places that repair iPhone screensand see how the cost compares.
Just be aware that non-Apple certified sources may not use genuine parts.
There Are Other AppleCare Alternatives
AppleCare+ isn’t the only way to protect your gadget.
If you tend to drop it often, get a protective case that will keep it safe from damage.
Whatever you choose, know your typical usage and calculate the costs first.
