Other Apple Care worth it for IP12 Pro?

[eclipse01]

For me I have never dropped/cracked my screen, but of course there is a first time for everything.

i’m undecided if the added $200 is worth it.

what do you guys think?

 

[jbachandouris]

I always 'buy' through IUP and as such AppleCare+ is included.

That being said, I haven't cracked a screen either, but I ALWAYS get Apple Care.

Your choice. Maybe your renter's or home owners insurance has a better policy.

 

[DevinNj]

For me I have never dropped/cracked my screen, but of course there is a first time for everything.

i’m undecided if the added $200 is worth it.

what do you guys think?

I use AppleCare+ myself, and that comes from a guy that used to sell cars for a living. I can tell you there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to buying extended warranties. Some may disagree on whether or not they're worth it, but it's a complete gamble. AppleCare+ is great to have if you need it, it can save you money, but it's one of those things you hope you never need to use.

 

[shadow puppet]

When I've needed my AppleCare, I've been extremely grateful I had it. I will continue purchasing it. Especially after waiting this long to upgrade and the overall investment I'm making in my iPhone 12 Pro.

 

[TechLord]

I would never buy a current generation flagship brand new without apple care but that's just me. There is however cheaper third party insurance options, including with your bank, at least where I live there is.

 

[johnyyz]

For me I have never dropped/cracked my screen, but of course there is a first time for everything.

i’m undecided if the added $200 is worth it.

what do you guys think?

I've never cracked my screen either, but I am willing to bet it would happen to me with the first phone I didn't buy AppleCare+ for...hahaha.

I buy it for peace of mind, even though I have never had to use it.

 

[now i see it]

Insurance is always a gamble. No sure winner. I've never bought  insurance for my last five phones and never needed it. And usually when an iPhone goes south, the extended warranty has expired anyway

 

[4sallypat]

If you plan on getting a new model every year, then it's a waste.

 

[mightyjabba]

If you plan on getting a new model every year, then it's a waste.

I'm not sure how they are related. You can just as easily break a brand new phone as an older one.

 

[eclipse01]

But even if i break my screen once, that would be the cost to fix without apple care.

 

[Christopher Kim]

I think there are certain people where it makes more sense than others to get AppleCare+ for their iPhones. Key considerations in my opinion:

- Do you tend to drop your phone more frequently (if you have young kids +1!); have you had to repair the screen or phone body before? This is a "know yourself" situation
- Starting with the iPhone X, I think the cost of both screen repair and "Other" repair (eg. phone body, frame) went up significantly if you don't have AppleCare+. If you have the iPhone 11 Pro for example, it's US$279 for screen repair, and a whopping US$549 for "Other" repair! Compare that with $200 for AppleCare+ plus $29 (screen) or $99 (other) deductible.
- If you don't get AppleCare+ and had to pay out-of-pocket costs for a screen or body repair, how badly would that "hurt"? Would you get it repaired through a 3rd party to try and save money? Or likely just not repair it?

iPhone Screen Repair - Apple Support

Learn more about Apple-certified iPhone screen repair options, and replacement costs by coverage type.

support.apple.com

iPhone Repair and Service - Apple Support

Need to repair your iPhone? See your service options, their costs by coverage type, and how long they take.

support.apple.com

I imagine the iPhone 12's will be similar. So in general, the cost of AppleCare+ more than pays for itself if you have to fix the screen once, and basically doubly-pays for itself if you have to repair the back glass / phone body once. And you still get 1 additional accidental damage fix + the extra year of warranty. The extra warranty isn't nothing (I had my FaceID camera on my iPhone X stop working about 15mos in, and because of AppleCare+ they just gave me a new phone because they don't repair the Face ID camera), but IMO lower magnitude of value given tends to be unlikely. It really comes down to the accidental repair, and whether you think you %-wise likelihood of you damaging the phone and needing the repair.

Only other thing I'd add is that I feel like Apple treats their AppleCare+ customers very well. Unlike most other companies where with extended warranties, employees are trying to find ways not to process your claim, I've felt almost the opposite with Apple - if you're kind and reasonable, they try and find a way to help.

I generally don't get extended warranties on anything else, but I did starting with the iPhone X and plan to when I get the 12 Pro.

 

[4sallypat]

Agree, I am careful and have never broken or cracked or chipped iPhones since the iPhone 4.

If mine were to break, I take it to my local shop that will do it for about $50 (glass only).

I'd rather save the AC+ money and since I turn it in / trade in at the end of 1 year when the warranty expires, it's a no brainer for me.

 

[verdi1987]

I always 'buy' through IUP and as such AppleCare+ is included.

That being said, I haven't cracked a screen either, but I ALWAYS get Apple Care.

Your choice. Maybe your renter's or home owners insurance has a better policy.

AppleCare+ is included in IUP. However, you are still paying for it. The price of AC+ is added to the iPhone price in calculating the total cost.

 

[Luba]

Express Replacement Service under AC+ is another consideration. Apple sends you an iPhone to use while yours is being repaired. This doesn't work for screen replacements though.

 

[Alon1]

I use AppleCare+ myself, and that comes from a guy that used to sell cars for a living. I can tell you there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to buying extended warranties. Some may disagree on whether or not they're worth it, but it's a complete gamble. AppleCare+ is great to have if you need it, it can save you money, but it's one of those things you hope you never need to use.

For me I have never dropped/cracked my screen, but of course there is a first time for everything.

i’m undecided if the added $200 is worth it.

what do you guys think?

For me it’s not about numbers and probabilities, it’s about peace of mind. I just enjoy using the phone more when I don’t have to worry about damaging it. Worth the premium imo. It’s the same way as when you get an unlimited plan you might end up paying the same or more as a capped plan. But just not having to worry about it and constantly checking where you stand might be worth the premium if you can afford it.

 

[Complex757]

If you plan on getting a new model every year, then it's a waste.

This isn't true. You could crack your screen on the first day or the 364th day of ownership. Some models have glass on the front and back. Plus it protects against theft or loss now.

And have you actually had a recent screen fixed for $50? I cracked my screen and everything worked fine, but it rejected the replacement screens they tried on it. I was sent a new phone.

 

[Christopher Kim]

For me it’s not about numbers and probabilities, it’s about peace of mind. I just enjoy using the phone more when I don’t have to worry about damaging it. Worth the premium imo. It’s the same way as when you get an unlimited plan you might end up paying the same or more as a capped plan. But just not having to worry about it and constantly checking where you stand might be worth the premium if you can afford it.

I like this point, I agree this is also a factor. There's clearly value in the "peace of mind" having AppleCare+ gives you on an expensive phone like the iPhone.

 

[Darkashnet]

I have saved a fortune over the years not buying AppleCare for any Apple product I buy. And, touch wood, I've never once needed it. AppleCare is only "worth it" if you can live with the cost of smashing your phone should the worse happen. Paying ~20% of the phone's value just for cover just isn't worth it for me (especially spending money time at home at the moment), but it's your own peace of mind you're buying.

 

[ThemePro]

I've owned all kinds of Apple products for the last 13 years and only made use of Applecare just once for an iOS device (dropped it) but I have used Applecare on every Macbook (and iMac) sans one due to component failures. So for Macs, I consider Applecare a must and I bite the bullet to get Applecare for iOS devices since it includes theft or damage.

 

[oVerboost]

Remember, you can now pay for AppleCare monthly even if you buy the phone outright... And it's on-going, no longer limited to 24 months. If you are careful, and really look after your device then it may not be needed however monthly it's not a massive amount for peace of mind (as stated above), and that one time you have an accident, you'll be thankful you have it. It's a lottery either way really. Could just as easily save the money so it's there if you ever need it for a repair/replacement via Apple Store.

 

[fridayxiii]

I think I'll be getting AC+ for my 12 Pro. I haven't done so for my previous iPhones, but I think it's money well-spent, especially now that you can pay monthly and stop it anytime.

I might not be of the same mind had I not had so much trouble with brand-new AirPod Pros I bought this summer. Apple eventually fixed my problems via a full replacement of both earbuds and the charging case, but it was a PITA. And with issues like Rattlegate, etc. I wanted to get AC+ but could not for replacement units.

I've never had issues with Apple's build quality before, but there's first time for that, and for needing extra coverage like AC+. For such an expensive device, my peace of mind is worth the few extra dollars each month.

 

[Teddysjam]

One thing I don’t understand AC + doesn’t include theft correct? I have insurance thru Verizon which includes theft and broke my screen last year only paid 29.00 to fix it. I have no Apple store In my area so I have never opted for Appel care what am I missing. Seems like my Verizon ins does the same as AC plus I get theft protection

 

[Bkdodger]

One thing I don’t understand AC + doesn’t include theft correct? I have insurance thru Verizon which includes theft and broke my screen last year only paid 29.00 to fix it. I have no Apple store In my area so I have never opted for Appel care what am I missing. Seems like my Verizon ins does the same as AC plus I get theft protection

Apple store offers option for additional theft loss when you order in addition to AC+

 

[eclipse01]

Off topic Apple care question.

can i purchase a phone through ATT with a 30 month payment plan (without Apple Care) and pay for it separately through Apple?

 

[FilmIndustryGuy]

I dropped my older iPhones bunch of times and never broke anything without a case. One time I dropped my 6s+ with a case face down onto a cobble stone parking lot and it hit precisely flat against the stone bulge and cracked the crap out of it. Never bought Apple care for phones. I do think its worth it for a MacBook if you only have one and use the crap out of it mobile. I did so with a pro and the 12 inch. I put 760 battery cycles on it in 3 years and got apple to replace both laptops. Also little things like a fan bearing making noise and screen hinge being kinds loose so I got my money worth on the laptops but thats only due to using one daily. I think apple got sneaky on the apple care being 2 years because its after 2 years that the batteries start to have less capacity. id get the AC if it was for 3 years for the battery swap.

I think ill buy the mini and the apple battery case when they come out. this way ill have more battery, a case and it will use up the external battery more often meaning my internal battery may last 3-4 years im hoping.i dont want apple opening up my phone for a battery swap cause I dont how how that affects the waterproofing and I like the idea of washing my phone with dish detergent instead of Clorox wipes.