AppleCare+ has a subscription-like option with indefinite coverage

[Cal Jeffrey]

In context: Last year Apple rolled out its AppleCare+ program with the launch of the iPhone Xs and XR line. The new option provides the same coverage of its regular AppleCare and adds protections for devices that get lost or stolen for up to two years. Along with this new plan, the company offered monthly payments to pay for the more expensive coverage.

This year Apple has quietly modified the AppleCare+ program to give users the option to have indefinite continuing coverage under a subscription model. During the Apple unveiling event yesterday, Tim Cook failed to mention the change. However, AppleCare’s terms of service were updated today to stipulate the new conditions.

“For Monthly Plans, your Plan Term is one (1) month. Your Plan will automatically renew each month unless cancelled as set forth in the “Cancellation” Section 9 below, including in the event that Apple is no longer able to service your Covered Equipment due to the unavailability of service parts, in which case Apple will provide you with thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of cancellation, or as otherwise required by law.”

Instead of paying a lump sum for two years of AppleCare+, customer can pay a month-to-month fee. This option gives them coverage beyond the two years. The plan covers iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. Macs, AppleTV, AirPods, and other Apple devices are not eligible for the new subscription plan, but can still opt of coverage under the cash upfront option.

The price will vary depending on which device is ordered. Series 5 Apple Watches are $3.99 per month for the subscription plan or $79 for two years up front. The iPhone XR is $7.99 per month or $149 for the two-year plan.

Neither the iPhone 11 or 11 Pro have order pages yet, but 9to5Mac reports that the regular two-year plans will be $149 and $199 respectively. So we can expect that the iPhone 11 AppleCare+ subscription will run the same as XR ($7.99/month) and the Pro plan will go for a little more.

Doing the math shows that the subscription fees total more over two years than the lump sum payment. Using the iPhone XR as an example, users would pay about $192 over two years on the subscription versus the upfront cost of $149. So having indefinite coverage is the only real advantage.

Image credit: Primakov via Shutterstock

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https://www.techspot.com/news/81851-applecare-has-subscription-like-option-indefinite-coverage.html

 

[IAMTHESTIG]

So essentially, they want you to pay for warranty coverage for hardware that *should* last at LEAST two years in the first place and *should* be covered under warranty. What a rip...

The only thing this is good for is multiple accidental damages or if you get a crap battery, but you also have to pay a service fee according to their ToS which for iPhones is $30 for screen or $100 for all other damage. So if I do the monthly plan for an iPhone XR at $192 and break my screen, I'm essentially paying $222 for a new screen to be installed. I just called my local UBREAKIFIX repair store and they said they'd replace the screen for $201 something after taxes. So you are actually losing money unless you break your screen multiple times or pay for two years up front - but if you don't break your screen and don't need any warranty repairs then you just wasted $192 of your money.

Apple only warranties the battery for the first year anyway, so you are likely still better off just buying a battery replacement outright from the Apple store if you need it after the first year.

Oh also the ToS says the opposite of what Techspot says, Apple will NOT cover you if your device is lost or stolen.

Also BTW Techspot, your ad-link to the ToS is broken.

 

[Uncle Al]

"indefinite coverage" ..... if that's anything like a "lifetime guarantee" there's no telling how long it will last and considering the actual costs for repairs at some of the repair shops, I don't think this "deal" is really much of a deal at all. I'll stick with my $200 Moto and just replace the entire thing. Considering I'm going on my 5th year with it, I'm WAY ahead of these so called deals .....

 

[Dosahka]

Oh also the ToS says the opposite of what Techspot says, Apple will NOT cover you if your device is lost or stolen.
Also BTW Techspot, your ad-link to the ToS is broken.

They have a separate for theft and loss, which is not part of AC+:
https://www.apple.com/support/products/iphone/

Search for AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss which is different! Do a research before write something that you don't know, please!

"indefinite coverage" ..... if that's anything like a "lifetime guarantee" there's no telling how long it will last and considering the actual costs for repairs at some of the repair shops, I don't think this "deal" is really much of a deal at all. I'll stick with my $200 Moto and just replace the entire thing. Considering I'm going on my 5th year with it, I'm WAY ahead of these so called deals .....

screen repair for an iPhone Xs Mac without AC+ is about £596.44 and 1-2 days (if the store is busy). with AC+ it will be £79 in a day or matter of ours. Additon to this, one Apple device usually covered with parts up to 7 years, although the year 6 and 7 only covered in California and Turkey, for the rest of the world is 5, which is even more than most of other flagship phone brands offer, unless you buying it from untrusted sources like ebay.

 

[IAMTHESTIG]

They have a separate for theft and loss, which is not part of AC+:
https://www.apple.com/support/products/iphone/

Search for AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss which is different! Do a research before write something that you don't know, please!

Fair enough, I was assuming what Techspot said was correct - which as you point out is not. It's always good to check the source before believing what someone else reports.