AppleCare+ for Apple Watch Pricing: $59 for Sport, $79 for Steel, $999 for Gold

[MacRumors]

We've known that AppleCare+ will be available for the Apple Watch since Apple's March 9 media event, but pricing for the extended support has thus far remained a mystery. A source has now shared some purported pricing information with MacRumors that may shed some light on the cost, suggesting AppleCare+ for each version of the watch will be priced differently.

According to the claimed internal Apple screenshots, AppleCare+ for the entry-level aluminum Apple Watch Sport will be priced at $59, while AppleCare+ for the middle-tier stainless steel Apple Watch with Sport Band will be priced at $79. AppleCare+ for a $15,000 gold Apple Watch Edition will be significantly more expensive at $999. It is unclear from the information we have received whether band choice will affect AppleCare+ pricing, as band prices vary significantly.

While we can't verify the legitimacy of these claimed screenshots, other sources at Apple have indicated they are hearing unconfirmed word of similar pricing and 9to5Mac is reporting the same.

Without AppleCare+, purchases of the Apple Watch Sport and the stainless steel Apple Watch will be covered by a limited one-year warranty for hardware repairs and 90 days of complimentary support. Edition Watch purchases will include a two-year warranty and complimentary support.

With the purchase of AppleCare+, the warranty for aluminum Apple Watch Sport and stainless steel Apple Watch models will be extended to two years from the date of purchase, plus accidental damage will be covered. Apple Watch Edition coverage will be extended to three years with AppleCare+. Employees have not received word on how much accidental damage repairs will cost, but for the iPhone, AppleCare+ is priced at $99 and accidental damage carries a $79 service fee for each incident, with a maximum of two covered incidents.

Apple Watch buyers will be able to purchase AppleCare+ as an add-on both online and in-store. With the iPhone, AppleCare+ can be purchased up to 60 days after an initial iPhone purchase, and it's likely Apple will adopt a similar policy with the Apple Watch.

The Apple Watch will be available for pre-order beginning on April 10, which is the same day that in-store try-on appointments will begin. The device will officially launch in the first wave of nine markets on April 24.

Article Link: AppleCare+ for Apple Watch Pricing: $59 for Sport, $79 for Steel, $999 for Gold

 

[DavidBlack]

Damn! I didn't expect the edition pricing to be that much.

 

[saberahul]

Damn! I didn't expect the edition pricing to be that much.

It's okay. We're Apple, we'll get away with anything and people will keep paying us for it.

 

[ValSalva]

$999 for AppleCare+ Never thought I'd ever see that. But it's in line with how much the Edition costs. If you can afford $10,000 to $17,000 then chances are you can afford $11,000 to $18,000.

 

[nrose101]

$999 for AppleCare+ Never thought I'd ever see that. But it's in line with how much the Edition costs. If you can afford $10,000 to $17,000 then chances are you can afford $11,000 to $18,000.

I thought it was going to be free for them. It is the least apple can do!

 

[aawil]

I wish they would offer regular applecare on the watch. The + is useless as I can't imagine breaking the screen.

 

[kemal]

Accidental damage coverage for a watch sounds like a great idea for the consumer. You will damage a watch.

 

[iMerik]

Damn! I didn't expect the edition pricing to be that much.

Right?! That Edition pricing is just wildly insane. They are obviously targeting a market they know exists where people with enough money will just buy the highest priced version no matter what.

 

[ricktat]

Sounds about right on the pricing.

 

[jafingi]

Kinda funny how you make such a broad statement. I am buying one and I know quite a few people that are.

Unfortunately, many people are very egocentric. So if they don't buy/like something, they find it impossible for others to have other thoughts.

 

[tbobmccoy]

The 1 grand for the Apple Watch AppleCare+ is ridiculously overpriced. There's pretty much no way you're going to damage the gold enough to need that, and the internals are the same as any other Apple Watch. Apple is fleecing the rich, but I'm alright with that if it'll keep the price of other Apple products lower. Oh, wait....

 

[BvizioN]

It's okay. We're Apple, we'll get away with anything and people will keep paying us for it.

Or maybe not? I have been using Apple product for at least 8 years and never felt the need for Apple Care plan.

 

[bushido]

what the face? the edition should have that covered for a price like that

 

[jclardy]

$999 for AppleCare+ Never thought I'd ever see that. But it's in line with how much the Edition costs. If you can afford $10,000 to $17,000 then chances are you can afford $11,000 to $18,000.

True, but why the price difference? Do they insure the shipping or something? Repair it on the spot? The internals are identical so...repairs are literally the same. Also seems weird to leave a $17000 watch with a retail store employee.

 

[ValSalva]

True, but why the price difference? Do they insure the shipping or something? Repair it on the spot? The internals are identical so...repairs are literally the same. Also seems weird to leave a $17000 watch with a retail store employee.

Doesn't AppleCare+ come with accidental damage coverage? That might mean replacing the gold case.

 

[KPOM]

Kinda funny how you make such a broad statement. I am buying one and I know quite a few people that are.

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I thought it was going to be free for them. It is the least apple can do!

They get 2 years of coverage. $999 is to add a third year.

 

[MVallee]

I normally don't buy AppleCare but I may consider it for my watch. I'm careful with my iPhone and have yet to damage any of the ones I've owned but I can see how a watch would be much harder to be careful with.

 

[Odat]

There goes my plan to buy the edition watch :-(. $17000 is ok but $18000 is just plain ridiculous!

 

[OneMike]

When doing ratios of AppleCare+ vs device its actually less for the gold than other watches.

 

[the8thark]

True, but why the price difference? Do they insure the shipping or something? Repair it on the spot? The internals are identical so...repairs are literally the same. Also seems weird to leave a $17000 watch with a retail store employee.

$17000 to them is less of a percentage of their wages then $2000 is to us. And we leave our $2000 Macs with a retail store employee all the time so they can get repaired.

 

[Menel]

I wish they would offer regular applecare on the watch. The + is useless as I can't imagine breaking the screen.

They do. Applecare normal is included for 1 year with purchase price.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

I can't wait for AppleCare for the Watch Platinum...

$29,999

 

[cocacolakid]

Unless the $999 covers scratches this is just more of the nonsense from Apple lately. The 3 watches have the exact same internals, same odds of breaking. If they want to gouge rich people, fine, but it doesn't fall in line with Apple's mantra of 'making the best products.' This company has lost site of it's reason for existing.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

Doesn't AppleCare+ come with accidental damage coverage? That might mean replacing the gold case.

And then melting it down and making a new one.

 

[Mactendo]

Should be $666 for gold.