Is AppleCare Worth It? Detailed pricing guide

No matter how careful we are, sometimes our devices can lose the battle with gravity or encounter an unexpected error. And while it’s recommended that you only trust Apple for service and repairs, doing so can be costly, especially if you don’t have AppleCare or AppleCare+.

That said, chipping in on AppleCare+ isn’t all that cheap either. You need to consider upfront cost, franchises, and varying product prices. Which makes many users wonder if AppleCare+ is really worth it?

And if you’re wondering whether or not to buy AppleCare+ for your device, this detailed and coherent guide can help you. So let’s dive in without further ado.

• What is AppleCare and AppleCare+?
• AppleCare+ for iPhone
• AppleCare+ for iPad, iPad Pro and iPad Air
• AppleCare+ for Mac and Apple Display
• AppleCare+ for Apple Watch
• AppleCare+ for Apple TV
• AppleCare+ for HomePod, AirPods, etc.

What is AppleCare and AppleCare+?

AppleCare is a standard warranty that comes free with your device and covers hardware failures and manufacturing defects. Apple usually offers a one-year limited warranty and up to 90 days of free technical support.

This ensures that you will receive a free repair or replacement if the product does not work properly. Notably, it does not cover accidental damage or offer reduced service fees.

Difference between AppleCare and AppleCare

AppleCare+ or AppleCare Protection Plan is an optional service and support plan you can purchase to protect your device. This extended warranty offers up to three years of hardware coverage (depending on device). AppleCare+ has a few more perks:

• Priority access to Apple support via chat or phone
• Covers repair costs or greatly reduces repair fees
• Two accidental damage cases every 12 months (subject to service charge/plan selected)
• iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch express replacement service.
• The AppleCare+ version also covers theft or loss.

What is AppleCare+ with theft and loss protection?

As the name suggests, it has all the benefits of AppleCare+ plus additional coverage for up to two thefts or losses every 12 months. However, this feature is only available for iPhones in the US, UK, Australia, Germany, Japan, France, Italy, and Spain.

Note. Coverage requires Find My to be enabled on iPhone at the time of loss or theft and throughout the claim process.

Can we expand AppleCare+ coverage?

If you want to extend your AppleCare+ coverage beyond the original two years, you can purchase an extended coverage plan within 30 days after your original coverage ends. Offer limited to select countries/regions: USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Japan.

This plan will expand AppleCare+ coverage to:

• 24 months for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
• 36 months for Apple Watch Edition and Hermès

In addition, you can either pay upfront for 24/36 months or set up a monthly payment plan for iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch and an annual payment plan for Mac. While the monthly/annual recurring payment plan is more expensive, it gives you the option to cancel your subscription at any time.

The cost and benefits of the AppleCare+ package vary from product to product. So, let’s evaluate the value of AppleCare + in individual categories.

AppleCare+ for iPhone

The AppleCare+ plan for iPhone extends to 2 years from the date you purchased AppleCare+. Plus, the expensive Theft and Loss plan, which allows you to have a replacement phone at a significantly lower cost ($149) in the event of a theft.

Before we get into a more detailed discussion, let’s check how much each plan costs.

AppleCare+ cost for iPhone

What does AppleCare+ for iPhone cover?

• Apple Certified Service and Support
• 24/7 priority access to technical support
• Up to two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months – each incident will be subject to a service charge and applicable taxes:
  • Screen damage – $29.00
  • Rear Glass Damage (iPhone 12 and 13 Series) – $29.
  • Any other accidental damage – $99.00
  • Theft or Loss – $149 to $269 depending on model.
• Battery maintenance – when its capacity falls below 80%
• Express Exchange Service – Get a new device to use during the repair.
• Services offered:
  • Shipping Repair – Take your iPhone to an Apple Store or other Apple Authorized Service Provider for repair.
  • Departure to the place – call a specialist
  • Mail Repair – Apple’s Prepaid Mailbox
• Software Support – Apple Expert helps you troubleshoot issues with your iPhone and Apple-branded apps like FaceTime, Mail, and more.

Buy or pass?

Let’s do the math – imagine you accidentally dropped your iPhone 12 Pro and now the screen needs to be repaired/replaced.

• With AppleCare+ = $29 + $199 (paid for AppleCare+) = $228 plus applicable taxes
• Without = $279 plus applicable taxes

What to do if you lost your iPhone 12 Pro

• With AppleCare+ Theft and Loss, your new iPhone 12 Pro will cost = $149 + $269 (paid for AppleCare+) = $418 plus applicable taxes.
• Without = $999 plus applicable taxes

Yes! Even with the upfront cost of AppleCare+, you’re saving money. Consider repairing four screens (2 times a year), replacing four batteries, and other benefits, and it’s not difficult.

So it’s like saving money. On the other hand, money is wasted if you don’t have morbidity during the years of coverage.

Final version. Oddly enough, accidents happen by accident. It may not even be your fault; a friend, parent or child might drop your phone.

Overall, AppleCare+ is a smart investment if you’re accident-prone, have kids, or want to prepare for a rainy day. However, if you’re on a budget or own an affordable device like the iPhone 12 or SE 2020, it can be skipped entirely. Just be extra careful with your iPhone and buy a good case and screen protector.

AppleCare+ for iPad, iPad Pro and iPad Air

AppleCare+ for iPad offers extended coverage for up to 2 years. It also includes coverage for Apple Pencil, Apple-branded iPad keyboards, and AirPort devices if purchased within two years of purchasing iPad.

AppleCare+ pricing for iPad

What does AppleCare+ for iPad cover?

• Up to two cases of accidental damage protection every 12 months
• Each incident is subject to a service charge plus applicable tax:
  • iPad – $49.
  • Apple Pencil/Keyboard – $29
• 24/7 priority access to technical support
• Battery maintenance
• Offered services: repair with delivery, on-site and repair by mail.
• Express Exchange Service
• Software support

Buy or pass?

Let’s do the math – if you need a screen replacement for your iPad, it will cost you between $299 and $649, depending on the model. However, with AppleCare+ insurance, you only pay $49 + taxes.

Final version. So AppleCare+ will definitely come in handy, especially if you have a complete setup with an iPadPro, Apple Pencil, and Magic Keyboard. However, whether the plan is worth it ultimately depends on your treatment and usage.

AppleCare+ for Mac and Apple Display

The AppleCare+ plan for Mac and Apple Display offers three years of extended coverage. Notably, the display insurance plan includes service for one Apple branded display stand and one Apple branded mount.

AppleCare+ pricing for Macs and Apple Displays

What does AppleCare+ cover?

• Apple Certified Service and Support
• 24/7 priority access to technical support
• Up to two cases of accidental damage protection every 12 months
• Each incident is subject to a service charge plus applicable tax:
  • Damage to the screen or damage to the outer case – $99.
  • Other damage – $299.
• Global repair coverage
• Battery maintenance
• Apple memory (RAM), Apple USB SuperDrive, accessories such as power adapter
• Services offered include laptop repair, on-site, and mail-order laptop repair.
• Software support

Buy or pass?

Let’s do the math – AppleCare+ pricing for Mac is a bit more complicated. On the one hand, this allows you to save a lot. For example, a MacBook Pro battery replacement typically costs around $199, but with AppleCare+ it’s free.

In addition, issues such as drive failure or replacement can cost anywhere from $159 to $459. On the other hand, Macs are fairly reliable and generally don’t have major problems in their first four-plus years of use.

Now add your usage to this equation. If it is 4-5 hours a day, the risk level of a stationary table is low. But if it’s around 9-12 hours or more and it’s travel related, the chances of damage are higher.

The final version – let me simplify. If you’re a clumsy, active user, an avid traveler, or a device that changes hands frequently, AppleCare+ makes sense. In any other case, you will have to weigh the pros, cons, and costs to make an appropriate decision.

AppleCare+ for Apple Watch

Apple Watch and Apple Watch Nike series come with a one-year limited warranty hardware repair and up to 90 days of free support.

As with all Apple Watch Edition and Apple Watch Hermès models, the limited warranty and free support includes a two-year hardware repair. Apple Watch AppleCare+ plans favor more expensive devices. While the rest of the models have two years of coverage, more expensive models get three years of extended coverage.

AppleCare+ pricing for Apple Watch

What does AppleCare+ cover?

• Up to two cases of accidental damage protection every 12 months
• Each incident is subject to a service charge plus applicable tax:
  • Apple Watch and Apple Watch Nike – $69.
  • Apple Watch Edition and Apple Watch Hermès – $79.
• 24/7 priority access to technical support
• Global repair coverage
• Express Exchange Service
• Battery maintenance
• Service offered: repair with delivery and repair by mail.
• Software support

Buy or pass?

Let’s do the math: Apple Watch Series 6 with GPS only costs $299 to repair, and Apple Watch Edition Series 6 titanium costs $499. Considering the cost and benefits of AppleCare+, you are definitely getting a good deal.

But then again, I have a three-year-old Apple Watch that I wear regularly and it doesn’t even have scratches, all thanks to its solid screen protector. You may not need AppleCare+ depending on your usage habits.

Conclusion. If you’re adventurous and regularly wear your watch during activities such as rock climbing, hiking, dirt biking, or someone who’s accident-prone and often bumps into walls, insuring your Apple Watch with AppleCare is worth it.

Otherwise skip it and hope the odds are always in your favor!

AppleCare+ for Apple TV

The Cupertino giant is offering a special AppleCare Protection Plan for Apple TV, which is valid for two years from the date of purchase of the Apple TV.

How much does it cost and what does it cover?

The AppleCare Protection Plan is available for Apple TV 4 and Apple TV 4K for $39. Notably, this is not an insurance plan, just a warranty extension with better support options. This means there is no repair fee.

• Apple Certified Service and Support for up to two years
• 24/7 priority access to technical support
• Global repair coverage
• Service offered: repair with delivery and repair by mail.
• Express Exchange Service
• Also included are Siri Remote cases and a power cord.
• Software support

Buy or pass?

If you don’t like playing TV box hockey, move on! Once set up, you’re unlikely to move your Apple TV, and the lack of features on offer shows that even Apple doesn’t expect accidental product damage.

The only benefit I see from this AppleCare Protection Plan is global repair coverage. If you are buying a device abroad, this feature can be very useful.

AppleCare+ for HomePod, AirPods, AirPods Max and iPod touch

The plan for all Apple music accessories, whether HomePod, HomePod Mini, all AirPods, Beat Headphones/Headphones, AirPods Max, and iPod Touch, offers two years of extended coverage from the date you purchase AppleCare+.

List of all enabled AirPods and Beats devices

• AirPods
• AirPods Max
• AirPods Pro
• EP beats
• Bits Fit Pro
• Bits Pro
• Beats Solo Pro
• Beats Solo3 Wireless
• Beats studio buds
• Beats Studio3 Wireless
• BeatsX
• Powerbeats
• Powerbeats Pro
• Powerbeats3 Wireless

AppleCare+ pricing for music accessories

What does AppleCare+ cover?

• Up to two cases of accidental damage protection every 12 months
• Each incident is subject to a service charge plus applicable tax:
  • HomePod – $39
  • HomePod mini – $15
  • AirPods, AirPods Pro, Beats – $29.
  • iPod Touch – $29
• 24/7 priority access to technical support
• Express Replacement Service for HomePod, AirPods, AirPods Max and Beats
• Global iPod Touch Repair Coverage
• Battery Maintenance for AirPods, AirPods Max, Beats, and iPod Touch
• Service offered: repair with delivery and repair by mail.
• Software support

Buy or pass?

Do you need an insurance plan for musical accessories? Well, if you’re talking about the $549 AirPods Max, maybe you don’t mind spending $59 for peace of mind. But investing $15 or $29 in a $99 HomePod Mini or $159 AirPods, respectively, might not be in your best interest.

First, Apple doesn’t make cheap quality products. If for some reason the device has a defect, the annual AppleCare program will easily cover the situation. While I would love the Theft and Loss feature added to this category, it would definitely be worth picking up.

It all comes down to one question: how many speakers or headphones/headphones have you broken in the last 2-3 years? If the number is indecently high, buy AppleCare+; if not, then you can do without it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying AppleCare+

You can purchase an AppleCare+ plan at the time you purchase the product or up to 60 days (30 days in Japan) after purchase. This can be done via: – Online – Apple Store (requires confirmation of purchase and product inspection) – Calling 800-275-2273 (requires confirmation of purchase and running a remote diagnostic test) – iPhone/iPad only: New devices will have hint. Go to Settings → General → About and select AppleCare+ Coverage Available.

Whether you’re buying from Apple or any third party retailer, you can use the methods mentioned above to purchase AppleCare+. All you need is proof of purchase, and after a remote or on-site diagnostic check, you can purchase the plan.

Only if you live in the US and Canada. Apple has extended the AppleCare+ plan window to a year after purchase, but you’ll have to take the device to an Apple Store for inspection. You will be able to purchase the plan after the technician gives you the green light.

Simply visit the Apple Check Your Service and Support Coverage page and use your device’s serial number to check your current warranty status and AppleCare+ eligibility.

Absolutely not; The tech giant understands such limitations and offers great options for users who don’t have access to a retail store or authorized service center. Depending on your device and country or region, you may be able to: > Onsite Service – An authorized repair technician will come to your home or work to fix the problem. > Direct Mail – Apple will send you a box with shipping labels. Just pack the product and ship it without spending a dime as Apple has it all covered. > Redeem at UPS Store – Only available to iPhone, iPad, or iPod users in the United States. Apple provides you with repair ID numbers and all you have to do is ship the product to any UPS store; Apple pays for shipping both ways.

Yes, but only refurbished products that Apple sells on its website. As with any new product, all refurbished products come with a one year warranty. And you can purchase AppleCare+ to extend your warranty and get more benefits.

The good news is that AppleCare and AppleCare+ are transferable; the new owner receives the remaining term of protection. In fact, it might even bring you a few extra bugs! To receive all the benefits of an AppleCare+ plan, the new owner will need the original proof of purchase (receipt), proof of plan, contract, and you will need to notify Apple via email, fax, or physical mail to let them know.

Yes, if you cancel the plan: Within 30 days of purchase – Full refund minus services received (if any) Outside 30 days – Prorated refund minus any services and a $25 fee or 10 percent of the prorated return (whichever is less)

Is AppleCare+ worth it?

In most cases: Yes, AppleCare+ can actually save you more money than you spend on a plan. However, if you’re heavily involved in the Apple ecosystem with products like iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, AirPods, and HomePod minis, AppleCare+ spending alone can ruin your wallet.

I would advise you to tread carefully, see which foods are at greater risk and choose an appropriate plan. Also, the terms of the standard warranty may vary by country, so please read the offer document carefully before purchasing!

If you want to explore more options, here is a short list of the best iPhone insurance plans. And remember, our comment section is open to anyone and everyone, so feel free to share your opinions, feedback, questions, questions, suggestions, and critiques about the article.