In depth analysis: No coverage vs Applecare+ vs Squaretrade vs Carrier

[willmtaylor]

I'm not usually a purchaser of extended warranties, but since I paid full price for my 64 GB iPhone 6, I was thinking about adding one. Does it make sense to do so since I plunked down about $800 for a phone and if so, which option is better: AppleCare+ or SquareTrade?

If I paid the $300 subsidized price, I would not get the warranty, but since I have T-Mobile, I am thinking maybe.

Well, there's this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1785089/

And this one: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1778389/

And this one: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1788565/

And this one: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1789532/

And this one: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1784515/

And this one: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1778868/

Now the REAL question you ought to have asked yourself is whether or not your question warranted another thread on this.

 

[urkel]

Squaretrade:
+ Cheaper plans (look for coupons)
+ Slightly cheaper deductible
+ **You get more money back when you cancel your policy
- Not Apple Branded (so don't expect that extra help from geniuses)

Applecare+
+ *Better service
+ Longer coverage on accessories (like cases or cables)
- 2 Replacement limit
- **Less money when canceling

No Warranty
+ If it doesn't break you Save money
- If it does break you lose money

* "Better Service" isn't proven but from personal experience then the geniuses have been more flexible when they see it has AC+.

** As someone who sells their old gear annually to buy new gear then I always offer a buyer to retain the extended warranty and they always so "no". So I get a prorated refund. Applecare tends to lose 60-70% off from the first year while Squaretrade is around 50%.

 

[dmk1974]

I thought SquareTrade has also up to 4 repairs on their plan. Or is it capped also by the total dollars of the repairs?

 

[doboy]

I thought SquareTrade has also up to 4 repairs on their plan. Or is it capped also by the total dollars of the repairs?

Don't know about 4 repairs, but AFAIK the contract ends if they replace or payout for a replacement.

 

[dmk1974]

Don't know about 4 repairs, but AFAIK the contract ends if they replace or payout for a replacement.

But if I paid full-price for an iPhone 6 ($749) and each replacement from an Apple Genius bar is $299, wouldn't I be able to get 2 full replacements plus ~$150 of repair money to use with SquareTrade?

 

[Supermallet]

** As someone who sells their old gear annually to buy new gear then I always offer a buyer to retain the extended warranty and they always so "no". So I get a prorated refund. Applecare tends to lose 60-70% off from the first year while Squaretrade is around 50%.

Are you sure about that? I got a refund on my 5S Applecare when I upgraded to the 6 Plus and I got back 50% of the $99. I upgrade annually.

 

[doboy]

But if I paid full-price for an iPhone 6 ($749) and each replacement from an Apple Genius bar is $299, wouldn't I be able to get 2 full replacements plus ~$150 of repair money to use with SquareTrade?

Actually the Squaretrade mobile site states 3 repairs.

 

[Longo]

Dunno why this hasn't been mentioned
but your warranty is extended for 2 years.

For a power user like me..these phones go through a lot of abuse.
I had to visit the apple store with various problems (headphone jack, camera, battery, etc.)
And all these problems started to happen after my 1 year warranty.

For the piece of mind and not arguing with the genius bar or dealing with a third party vendor...I rather pay for the applecare.