Most Apple hardware comes with a one-year limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary technical support. To extend your coverage further, Apple offers AppleCare+. Is it worth it?
John-Anthony Disotto for iMore:
Throughout my time working at the Genius Bar I was often faced with customers asking if AppleCare+ is worth it or if they should save their cash for an accessory or something else entirely instead.
So I’m here to answer the age-old question: Is AppleCare+ worth it? And should you add the insurance policy to your basket next time you purchase an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Apple TV, Vision Pro, AirPods, or HomePod?
After years of seeing broken iPhones at the Genius Bar, I think most people should purchase AppleCare+ for their iPhones… iPad: Of all the products Apple sells I can’t think of one more in need of AppleCare+… You’ll notice a recurring theme here with my AppleCare+ advice: If it’s a product that is used outdoors then I highly recommend picking up the insurance policy.
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MacDailyNews Take: A couple of years ago, one of us got a deep-enough-to-see-and-feel 1/2-inch gash on an iPhone display that had AppleCare+ coverage just two weeks after buying it. We made an appointment, drove a considerable distance to take it to our local Apple Store and were told it “wasn’t bad enough” to be covered. So, we either had to live with it or, the Apple Store employee insinuated, but wouldn’t say outright, we needed to get creative with a chisel and make it “bad enough” to use the AppleCare+ coverage we paid for. Fearing further (internal) damage, we lived with the gash for the life of that iPhone and we NEVER bought AppleCare+ again.
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Yes, AppleCare is worth it.
I buy it for pretty much every major apple purchase, and over time it’s paid for itself in money and peace of mind.
I think it’s worth it. I pay $20 AUD per month to Apple for AppleCare+ that provides insurance if the phone is lost or stolen. I reckon it’s worth it!!
AppleCare has paid off for me on my 2021 MBPro and broken screen, 2 years in. And I really like the yearly AppleCare contract option too. I didn’t get it on the previous MacBook in which the battery went bad shortly after 2 years. Battery Replacement on that model was expensive enough that I decided not to spend it on the battery replacement and use that money as partial funding for a new MBPro AND AppleCare. I will use AppleCare from now on.
I have been using Macs since 1989 and “usually” buy AppleCare. I have used A-C for repair on 1 in 5 Macs out of 15 Macs in that time. For me it is not the cost of A-C that is important but the quick fix and cost of repair if I don’t have A-C.
In Australia Apple were forced to disclose to customers that under consumer law, phones have two years’ warranty against defects and computers three, with or without AppleCare.
AppleCare has been worth it but sometimes it requires a little persistence with the round robin of sometimes clueless college kids behind the counter. Over the years, I had motherboards replaced, power supplies, video cards, all after the initial warranty ran out and for no charge beyond AppleCare. Recently Apple’s hardware has been so reliable I haven’t had to call on it. So there I guess it wasn’t worth it.
Your “gouge” wasn’t damage. It was cosmetic. And you should know its not covered for scratches. Its for cracks and damage. Your car insurance wont cover a scratch in your windshield, but a crack it will. I’m guessing you were one of those whiny ass Karen’s who threw a fit too when they were on the fence to just take care of it. Ill buy it religiously and without fail. MDN has basically become the angry old boomer who blames everyone else for their issues, as is with their views on the company.