AppleCare+ Policy Change Coming to Apple Stores

[brofkand]

Interesting. I don’t do Care. I will say Store staff push it hard it’s actually cringey, they guilt you when you don’t purchase it and mock your refusal to pay “$5 a month” or whatever it may be. Experienced this at few store pick ups over my last few purchases

They are rated by their AppleCare attach rate. Like all extended warranty products, AppleCare is highly profitable.

 

[Techwatcher]

That's a HUGE change. The one time $199 was $40 cheaper than doing it monthly. I also figure that people won't, or will forget to unsubscribe after two years. Someone keeps their phone three years, that's another $120 of revenue.

I hate how seemingly everything in life is becoming a subscription.

It’s only cheaper if you always plan to end it at 2 years, otherwise it’s not always a perfect comparison. Regardless, this is a dumb move and both options should be kept easily accessible.

 

[drrich2]

AppleCare+ subscription model makes more sense. Why pay for a 2-year AppleCare+ when you can go month to month until you decide to swap your device after a year?

Many of us don't buy Apple products with any likelihood of upgrading nearly that soon.

I really don’t know if you are expecting to die any soon, but if that’s the case (and I’d be sorry about that), just inform your wife about your subscriptions.
To be honest you should do that even if you are in very good health anyway. being informed doesn’t mean she have to manage those subscriptions right now, while you still can.

I'm not, but things happen. In many families, one person is the one who handles the finances and business arrangements, keeps up with the subscriptions, etc...

I do have a file telling her where investments are, how to log into accounts, etc... May have to add a section for things we're subscribed to. Probably nearly every married couple needs an 'If I Die' file.

Am I missing something? My understanding is that the subscription models last until you stop subscribing, meaning it can last LONGER than the 2 years limit of the one time AppleCare+.

Some of us prefer to make a single up front purchase for a defined time period with no intentions of keeping it into perpetuity. It's nice to have the option to extend, but many don't. And it's nice that we don't have to stay on top of cancelling it to achieve that.

Subscriptions from various sources can add up to a financial 'death by a thousand cuts.'

 

[ChrisMac47]

Apple's GREED. Meanwhile, Chinese companies innovate.

 

[longofest]

I actually prefer the subscription model for AppleCare. The 2 year applecare would always wear out right before my computers broke down. Now I can keep applecare on my device until I trade it in or otherwise don't need it anymore.

 

[FlyingDutch]

I'm not, but things happen. In many families, one person is the one who handles the finances and business arrangements, keeps up with the subscriptions, etc...

I do have a file telling her where investments are, how to log into accounts, etc... May have to add a section for things we're subscribed to. Probably nearly every married couple needs an 'If I Die' file.

You are being dramatic…
I’m perfectly fine with the one person handling most of the arrangements, but in a family everyone should at least be informed of everything (including subscriptions).
I really can’t see that as a valid point to say AC+ subscription is “dangerous”.

Some of us prefer to make a single up front purchase for a defined time period with no intentions of keeping it into perpetuity. It's nice to have the option to extend, but many don't. And it's nice that we don't have to stay on top of cancelling it to achieve that.

A preference is a subjective thing. You could want something different from other people. That’s not up for debate . Above you can see there are people liking the subscription more.

Subscriptions from various sources can add up to a financial 'death by a thousand cuts.'

That’s only if your are very poor at managing your own finances. By the way I don’t think apple customer target are user with financial struggling . There are much cheaper options out there.

 

[FlyingDutch]

Apple's GREED. Meanwhile, Chinese companies innovate.

Sure… a lot of innovation. In the meanwhile, good luck with the warranty with Chinese products

 

[FlyingDutch]

Simply untrue it's super easy to cancel, AC+ appears in the App Store under 'Subscriptions' next to every other subscription you have, tap cancel and it's done.

Exactly. It takes 5 seconds.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

AppleCare+ subscription model makes more sense. Why pay for a 2-year AppleCare+ when you can go month to month until you decide to swap your device after a year?

Because >10% of iPhone owners swap after a year, and the majority are keeping their phones ~three years. This is a money grab, nothing more.

I've bought Apple Care for one phone; didn't use it. Bought Apple Care for two laptops; didn't use it. I just don't buy it anymore.

They are rated by their AppleCare attach rate. Like all extended warranty products, AppleCare is highly profitable.

That explains why the guy at the Apple Store was pushing it pretty hard when I was picking up my MBP, even though I bought it online and he was just handing it to me.

 

[lkrupp]

Like Netflix raising their prices. If you don’t need it, don’t buy it.

That’s exactly right. Yet Netflix continues to grow subscribers, evil cellular carriers continue to grow subscribers, etc. From the caterwauling about price increases, vows and admonitions to cancel subscriptions we see on tech blogs like this one, you’d think no one is subscribing to anything. Not true of course. Funny.

 

[harmonthe3rd]

Tim Crook just keeps getting worse and worse.

Explain your dislike for Tim? Under his watch Apple updates devices longer than any other tech company, good for consumers. He's help make Apple the most valuable company in the world, good for shareholders. If you've been a fan of Apple for more than 20 year and or prior to the release of the iPhone, you'll know that Tim has followed in the step of Steve almost step for step. Apple has always placed a premium on their products. People complain about pricing but I'll wage you have the device which price you unhappy with. Based on the price history AppleCare is about $4 more than what it cost in 2002 based on inflation.

 

[A1423]

I don't bother with AppleCare on any of my products anymore.

Like any insurance, it's priced such that Apple makes a profit.

Also like any good insurance. You are happy you have it if you need it.

Personally, I’ve used it a lot over the years. It’s more than paid for itself.


As for the shift. I already do the subscription model. I can upgrade every year if I want to, and it’s less money for me to do the monthly, than buy the 2 years upfront.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Also like any good insurance. You are happy you have it if you need it.

Personally, I’ve used it a lot over the years. It’s more than paid for itself.


As for the shift. I already do the subscription model. I can upgrade every year if I want to, and it’s less money for me to do the monthly, than buy the 2 years upfront.

I just hate the trend of forcing monthly payments over yearly. It's a hassle to keep track of, for those of who chart and track all our spending. I pay my home owners insurance yearly, our vehicle insurance, life insurance, personal property insurance...but can't on my phone or laptop, if I wanted to... sigh

I quit buying AppleCare after having bought it for several years, on a few devices, and never having used it. I can afford to replace out-of-pocket if necessary.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Because >10% of iPhone owners swap after a year, and the majority are keeping their phones ~three years. This is a money grab, nothing more.

I've bought Apple Care for one phone; didn't use it. Bought Apple Care for two laptops; didn't use it. I just don't buy it anymore.

Yeah - Agreed

I think many of us figured out a long long time ago that you're almost always just wasting money with AC

 

[webkit]

Based on the price history AppleCare is about $4 more than what it cost in 2002 based on inflation.

Based on price history, even iPhone prices are not necessarily that bad today. When the original iPhone launched under Jobs in June 2007, the price was $499 (4GB) and $599 (8GB) with a 2 year AT&T contract at a cost of at least $59.99/month (which wasn't an unlimited talk/text plan). Adjusting for inflation, that is around $760 (4GB) and $910 (8GB) with a minimum plan cost of $91/month.

Today, you can get a new, much larger, more capable 128GB iPhone 16 Plus from AT&T for just $395.64 ($10.99 x 36 months) with a plan costing as little as $60.99/month.

 

[drrich2]

You are being dramatic…
I’m perfectly fine with the one person handling most of the arrangements, but in a family everyone should at least be informed of everything (including subscriptions).
I really can’t see that as a valid point to say AC+ subscription is “dangerous”.

Not particularly dramatic. One of the downsides to an ongoing subscription model, often with an auto-pay arrangement, is that if something serious happens to the person who handles the arrangement, a number of extra payments can get sucked out before a spouse or other relative gets around to checking where credit card and bank transactions are going, gets ahold of log-in info., etc... 'Dangerous' is a bit debatable, but waste is a clear risk (and you put it in quotes, but I don't see where I used the term).

Perhaps everyone 'should' at least be informed of everything, including subscriptions, much as they arguable should diet and exercise in such a way no one is overweight or obese, always wear eye protection when using a hammer, test their smoke alarms monthly and a range of other things many people don't do. Personal responsibility counts for something, but so does grace for human nature.

A preference is a subjective thing. You could want something different from other people. That’s not up for debate . Above you can see there are people liking the subscription more.

Which is why I like to see both options, subscription and pay up front, offered together. I have no desire to see the subscription option end.

That’s only if your are very poor at managing your own finances. By the way I don’t think apple customer target are user with financial struggling . There are much cheaper options out there.

There are shades of gray. You're not the 1st to assert Apple's customers don't tend to be financially struggling, but I've seen a number of threads with hand-wringing over whether to get a M4 or M4 Pro, whether to get the 256 gig SSD or pay for the upgrade to 512 gig, or 16 gig RAM should do fine but is the cost of upgrading to 24 gig worth the future proofing? We could quibble over what counts as financially struggling, but clearly a number of Apple's customers don't spend money all that freely.

 

[Radeon85]

I've always paid monthly as I upgrade my phone and watch yearly, so no difference for me. The moment I receive a new device and make sure it works, I then cancel my old one and set up a new one.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I've always paid monthly as I upgrade my phone and watch yearly, so no difference for me. The moment I receive a new device and make sure it works, I then cancel my old one and set up a new one.

If you're getting new phones and watches annually, why pay for AC+ at all?

 

[TweakOnline]

Well. Having paid another year of AC will improve your EBay listing.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Well. Having paid another year of AC will improve your EBay listing.

Selling locally and avoiding ebay fees would be a smarter financial move (if the concern is how appealing a for sale listing is)

Not to mention concerns about getting screwed by false claims way after the transaction ... eBay enormously sides with buyers (too much so)

 

[Radeon85]

If you're getting new phones and watches annually, why pay for AC+ at all?

Because it covers accidental damage therefore a cheapish replacement, plus I pay for the AppleCare theft protection on the phone, so in the unlikely event of my 16 PM 1TB getting nicked it will cost me a hell of a lot less to replace it.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Because it covers accidental damage therefore a cheapish replacement, plus I pay for the AppleCare theft protection on the phone, so in the unlikely event of my 16 PM 1TB getting nicked it will cost me a hell of a lot less to replace it.

Got it.. A valid concern if it applies to ones needs

 

[Radeon85]

£109 when I last looked to get stolen a replacement 16 PM 1TB plus whatever the monthly AppleCare ads up to compared to spending £1599 is a no-brainer for devices this expensive, if someone steals it from me without it, I'd be screwed. Plus the Ultra 2 only costs me £4.99 a month, so again it's worth it for a little piece of mind.

I hate spending money on warranties and don't use them anywhere else, but with so many phone thefts these days, it's worth it.

 

[turbineseaplane]

£109 when I last looked to get a replacement 16 PM 1TB plus whatever the monthly AppleCare ads up to compared to spending £1599 is a no-brainer for devices this expensive, if someone steals it from me without it, I'd be screwed.

It covers theft?
I didn't realize that one

I have to update my opinion here .. that's quite a benefit actually

$150 deductible though I see ... hmm ..
Makes more sense if one is way up the cost spectrum I suppose

Ultimately a very personal decision. I have never lost or had a phone stolen. I think it's something only you can decide on based on your risk levels and past experience.

 

[Radeon85]

It covers theft?
I didn't realize that one

I have to update my opinion here .. that's quite a benefit actually

£8.99 for the regular AppleCare+ or a little extra at £11.99 a month for AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss.

• Everything in AppleCare+ with additional coverage for theft and loss
• If your iPhone is lost or stolen, you can request to have a replacement shipped to you in any country where theft and loss coverage is available
• Two theft and loss incidents every 12 months, each subject to an excess fee of £109
• Find My must be turned on at the time it’s lost or stolen and throughout the theft and loss claim process

I've been very lucky to never break a screen, lose or get a device stolen so far. But as devices have gotten so much more expensive, it's now worth paying for.