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AppleCare?

P

phillymacuser

macrumors regular
Original poster
Dec 5, 2008
116
13
Hello All,

Just purchased new Space Gray Apple Watch 3(LTE). Do you think AppleCare is needed? It seems it only last for 2 years from purchase. I always purchase for my phones and computers but for some reason I am hesitant with the watch.
 
I typically buy Applecare without a second thought on all my Apple purchases but I'm hesitant to spent $49 to cover a watch I paid $179 for. I know I've got the usual 60 days so I've got to think it over.
 
AppleCare on something like the watch is an absolute must especially if you're gonna wear it without a silly silicone or any other kind of protector case. Even if you're careful with your tech, you never know what could happen - you can drop it involuntarily, you can take a corner sharply and bang it on the edge of something, scuff it, scratch it, crack the screen, etc. etc. Long before the 2 years are up will the S4 come out so then you can trade in and upgrade.
 
I didn’t for my S0 and S1 as they only cost around £300.

The S3 was £429 and so that pushed me over whatever imaginary boundary I had between having Apple care or not.

If I sell the watch in September and get an S4, I can cancel the AppleCare and get a refund of the unused months which makes it even better.
 
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KrisLord said:
I didn’t for my S0 and S1 as they only cost around £300.

The S3 was £429 and so that pushed me over whatever imaginary boundary I had between having Apple care or not.

If I sell the watch in September and get an S4, I can cancel the AppleCare and get a refund of the unused months which makes it even better.
Click to expand...

Or you'll probably get a better price leaving the AppleCare on it, either way it's a no-brainer.
 
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I got it two weeks after getting the watch. On week three the face of my watch got completely smashed. You will really kick yourself if you don’t buy it and then need it later down the road. I would much rather buy it and never need it.
 
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Day 6 into my buddy owning his S3 LTE Nike edition, I opened a door for him and cracked his watch face. He didn't have Applecare+. I heard about for weeks, LOL. So yeah, when I bought mine, yup Applecare+ added at the checkout. That's why they're called accidents, you never know when they're gonna happen.
Edit: On a separate note, it will add to the resale value if you decide to sell it down the road. So to me it's definitely worth the $49.
 
Since the face is totally unprotected, and I expect in a 2 year period I will inadvertently hit it multiple times, I decided that the risk for a cracked screen, and therefore need for insurance, is probably significant.
 
CPTmom2wp said:
Since the face is totally unprotected, and I expect in a 2 year period I will inadvertently hit it multiple times, I decided that the risk for a cracked screen, and therefore need for insurance, is probably significant.
Click to expand...

The Watch is the one Apple Product I recommend insurance. Reasons being as you mentioned because How Prone it is being subjected to damage. I’m fairly careful with my Watches, but its inevitable from hitting it on something. And the insurance pays for itself long term.
 
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I didn’t and I have regretted it since. Cost me a fortune to replace my S2 when my wife knocked it off the bedside table.
I won’t think twice whenever I upgrade.
 
Checked the Applecare site. It's $50 for Applecare and a $70 service for repair. That's $120. The watch was only $180. Dunno if that's worthwhile.

I am tempted to buy a second, silver watch at the current $180 to stash away for "just in case" situations though. Hmm.
 
neoelectronaut said:
Checked the Applecare site. It's $50 for Applecare and a $70 service for repair. That's $120. The watch was only $180. Dunno if that's worthwhile.
Click to expand...

Then when you least expect to inadvertently break your watch and Apple quotes you with a $250 Plus repair bill, I’m sure you won’t be saying “Dunno know if it’s that worthwhile.” Thats Usually when the regret threads occur when someone shares pictures of the broken Apple Watch and wishes they had purchased AppleCare. I have said it before, the Apple Watch is the one device I would suggest purchasing AppleCare for, but it all depends on how you value the watch.
 
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phillymacuser said:
Hello All,

Just purchased new Space Gray Apple Watch 3(LTE). Do you think AppleCare is needed? It seems it only last for 2 years from purchase. I always purchase for my phones and computers but for some reason I am hesitant with the watch.
Click to expand...
I’m personally still on the fence about buying it for my watch and i have the same one as you. I have a few more weeks to decide but I’m leaning towards no atm. I plan to probably upgrade to the SS when AW4 comes out and will definitely get AC for that device.
 
Jessemtz25 said:
I’m personally still on the fence about buying it for my watch and i have the same one as you. I have a few more weeks to decide but I’m leaning towards no atm. I plan to probably upgrade to the SS when AW4 comes out and will definitely get AC for that device.
Click to expand...

The points presented by others make sense. However I too plan upgrading to the next AW4 as well later on this year, especially if a larger face is available.
 
I bough AppleCare on my first Apple Watch. I got the sports model and read about how fragile the glass is and how it gets scratched super easily. I’ve had my series 2 for over a year now and it looks like brand new. I doubt I will buy AppleCare on my next watch, but it’s not a bad idea if this is your first watch, so that you can see how hard you really are on it.
 
Relentless Power said:
Then when you least expect to inadvertently break your watch and Apple quotes you with a $250 Plus repair bill, I’m sure you won’t be saying “Dunno know if it’s that worthwhile.” Thats Usually when the regret threads occur when someone shares pictures of the broken Apple Watch and wishes they had purchased AppleCare. I have said it before, the Apple Watch is the one device I would suggest purchasing AppleCare for, but it all depends on how you value the watch.
Click to expand...

But that’s kinda the point. If Apple quotes me a $250 repair bill I’ll just wait for the watch to go back on sale at the $179/$209 price point and buy a new one.
 
I got it for one reason. The battery.

If after 2 years it doesn't hold 80% capacity they will repair it or replace it.

When the AC is about a month from expiring I'm going to take it in and have them test it. Worse case is I still have a functional Watch, best case is they replace it and I have a new one at little to no expense to me.

Plus there is always the chance I break it. I work with my hands and wear it all day every day (I use a clear cover on it while I work).
 
neoelectronaut said:
But that’s kinda the point. If Apple quotes me a $250 repair bill I’ll just wait for the watch to go back on sale at the $179/$209 price point and buy a new one.
Click to expand...
If you paid 429 for your watch it is a much easier decision. Also, there are other benefits but it probably isn’t cost effective if you paid less than 200 for the watch.
 
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