Is AppleCare+ Worth Paying For? Here Are The Pros And Cons
The pros of AppleCare+ include a warranty extension and unlimited access to Apple's technicians, but the cons of the service include its high cost and it not being able to take advantage of it when user error is involved.
AppleCare+ is a popular choice for those who own Apple products. It offers extended warranty coverage and technical support for a nominal fee. But is it really worth the money? In this article, we explore both the pros and cons of purchasing AppleCare+ to help you make an informed decision.
AppleCare+ Pro’s
The main reason to buy AppleCare+ is that it lets you extend the warranty on your product past the standard one-year limit. This means that if you experience any hardware issues or malfunctions during your two-year period, you can bring it in for service without having to pay out of pocket. Also, if you decide to sell your device before the two-year period is up, you can transfer the remaining coverage to the new owner, which may make them feel better.
In a recent article, Consumer Reports broke down the types of care and their costs:
iPhone 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
• Standard AppleCare+: a one-time fee of $199 (for two-year coverage) or $9.99 per month.
• AppleCare+ with theft and loss protection: $269 (for two-year coverage) or $13.49 per month.
iPhone 14 Plus
• Standard AppleCare+: a one-time fee of $179 (for two-year coverage) or $8.99 per month.
• AppleCare+ with theft and loss protection: $249 (for two-year coverage) or $12.49 per month.
iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12
• Standard AppleCare+: a one-time fee of $149 (for two-year coverage) or $7.99 per month.
• AppleCare+ with theft and loss protection: $219 (for two-year coverage) or $11.49 per month.
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
• Standard AppleCare+: $79 (for two-year coverage) or $3.99 per month.
• AppleCare+ with theft and loss protection: $149 (for two-year coverage) or $7.49 per month.
Another big advantage of getting AppleCare+ is that it provides access to unlimited technical support from its experienced staff of technicians. Whether by phone, email, or live chat, they can offer assistance with anything from setting up new devices to troubleshooting software issues and more. This could be especially helpful for those who are not particularly tech-savvy, as the technicians are knowledgeable about all aspects of their products and can often pinpoint problems quickly and efficiently.
AppleCare+ Con’s
The disadvantage of purchasing AppleCare+ is that it comes at a high cost. Depending on the type of equipment you’re protecting, this might be a costly expenditure. Furthermore, while there are benefits, such as the ability to transfer coverage when selling your device, there is no guarantee that future buyers will use this option.
Despite their excellent technical help, they are not liable for user errors. (i.e., something done wrong by the user). On Apple’s website, they provide the following disclaimer to Apple+ insurance holders: “AppleCare+ does not provide coverage for failure due to defects in design and/or materials and/or workmanship. Such failures will be covered separately either by your consumer law rights or the Apple Limited Warranty, or by Apple itself during the same period as the AppleCare+ Coverage Period, even if you did not purchase or lease your Apple product from Apple.”
The Verdict
All in all, whether or not AppleCare+ is worth paying for comes down to personal preference and budget constraints, but hopefully, this article has given you some food for thought as far as weighing out the pros and cons. Ultimately, taking into account things like how long you’re likely going to keep your device(s) combined with understanding the risks associated with them, can help inform your decision on whether or not an extended warranty plan makes sense for you in terms of cost vs. benefit.
