There are more than 1.4billion active iPhone users worldwide, accounting for 21% of the world’s smartphone-using population. This is without mentioning the countless MacBook, AirPods and iPad users around the world that use the Apple eco-system.
Like other manufacturers, Apple has its own extended warranty AppleCare+, which is an optional purchase. Let’s take an in-depth look into this and evaluate whether it is cost-efficient to include it in the receipt.
AppleCare+ Covers Majority Of Damages
AppleCare+ extends the warranty beyond the complimentary one-year limited warranty and 90 days of technical support for new devices. Depending on the device, the coverage and duration also differs. For example, AppleCare+ covers MacBooks for 3 years whilst iPhones are only covered for 2 years.
Device | Duration of Coverage |
MacBook, Apple TV | 3 Years |
iPad, iPhone, AirPods, Beats, HomePod | 2 Years |
Apple Watch | 2 Years (Apple Watch, Apple Watch Nike and Apple Watch Ultra), 3 Years (Apple Watch Edition and Apple Watch Hermès) |
In terms of coverage, AppleCare+ typically provides the following for devices:
- Unlimited accidental damage protection
- 24/7 priority access to Apple experts by chat or phone
- Express Replacement Service
- Battery service coverage (except for Apple TV and HomePod)
You Still Have To Pay For Repairs
For certain types of damage, the user will still have to foot part of the bill. Here is a list of AppleCare+ pricing for each product type, as well as the additional fees that will be incurred for damage.
iPhone
Device | Price Of AppleCare+ Coverage |
iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max | $319 |
iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 14 Plus | $279 |
iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone 13 | $229 |
iPhone SE (3rd generation) | $119 |
With AppleCare+, screen and back glass damage will cost $42 whilst other accidental damage will cost $148.
Mac
Device | Price |
MacBook Air 13 inch (M2) | $269 |
MacBook Air 13 inch (M3) | $299 |
MacBook Air 15 inch (M3) | $329 |
MacBook Pro 14 inch | $399 |
MacBook Pro 16 inch | $579 |
iMac | $249 |
Mac mini | $128 |
Mac Studio | $249 |
Mac Pro | $749 |
Apple Studio Display | $219 |
Pro Display XDR | $749 |
With AppleCare+, screen and external enclosure damage will cost $138 whilst other accidental damage will cost $428.
iPad
Device | Price |
12.9‑inch iPad Pro | S$229 |
11-inch iPad Pro | S$199 |
iPad Air (5th generation) | S$119 |
iPad, iPad mini | S$99 |
With AppleCare+, damage to the iPad will cost $68 whilst the Apple Pencil and Apple-branded iPad keyboard will cost $42.
Apple Watch
Device | Price Of AppleCare+ | Damage Costs |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 | $149 | $118 (Service fee) |
Apple Watch Series 9 | $119 | $98 (Service fee) |
Apple Watch SE | $79 | $98 (Service fee) |
Apple Watch Hermès | $219 | $118 (Service fee) |
AirPods, Beats
Device | Price | Damage Costs |
AirPods, AirPods Pro, Beats | $59 | $39 (Service fee) |
AirPods Max | $109 | $118 (Service fee) |
Apple TV, HomePod
Device | Price | Damage Costs |
Apple TV | $45 | $19 (Service fee) |
HomePod | $59 | $59 (Service fee) |
HomePod mini | $25 | $19 (Service fee) |
Read Also: Understanding Xiaomi (HKEX: 1810): China’s Smartphone and Smart Electronics Pioneer
Must Be Purchased Within 60 Days
If outside of the 60 days purchase period, device owners can purchase external warranties for more peace of mind. For example, QCD Technology, an authorised service provider of Apple, provides a plan called AppleCare+ 365 where it is purchasable 365 days from the date of purchase. The price for repairs is also identical to Apple’s pricing if under AppleCare+
However, do take note that repairs are only done by QCD themselves and not Apple. QCD also only covers damage for up to 2 incidents, as compared to Apple’s unlimited incident coverage.
Provides Peace Of Mind
The cost AppleCare+ for an iPhone 15 is $229.
Damage (iPhone 15) | Without AppleCare+ | With AppleCare+ |
Cracked screen (front only) | $426.83 | $42 + $229 = $271 |
Back glass damage | $253.65 | $42 + $229 = $271 |
Cracked screen and back glass damage | $610.19 | $84 + $229 = $313 |
Battery | $146.34 | $0 + $229 = $229 |
Rear camera | $253.65 | $148 + $229 = $377 |
Other damage | $834.31 | $148 + $229 = $377 |
For someone who is careful with their device and unlikely to accidentally damage the screen or camera, $229 is significant additional cost. In some cases such as back glass damage or rear camera replacement, the user may spend more overall with AppleCare+ rather than simply sending it for repair.
Nevertheless, AppleCare+ covers the device for more than one repair. For users who have a tendency to drop their devices often, AppleCare+ results in significant cost savings as compared to repairing the device twice. For instance, if the user repairs a cracked screen twice, the cost will be $853.66, whereas with AppleCare+, it will be just $313. For users who may be more prone to dropping their devices, this provides the peace of mind that the cost to repair will be significantly lowered.
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