Is AC+ for Ultra 2 worth it?

[lanceuppercut47]

Yes I know, worth is subjective as someone who doesn’t go outside is less likely to damage it compared to someone who is move active. But it seems as the Ultra is much more durable than the regular AW, which is nice.

Out of warranty, it’s £95 for a battery replacement for a U2 assuming no additional damage. The cost of 2 years of AC+ is £99 so my idea is even if I don’t damage it, I would get it replaced under AC+ before the 2 years is up as I’ll have something with a fresh battery at the very least (yes I know it’ll likely be refurbished but lets face it, Apple refurbished is pretty much a new device anyway)

Is it possible to move onto the monthly plan once the 2 year upfront plan has run out? I know you can extend with iPhones but not AirPods.

Also, does a battery replacement for AW’s work like iPads (they replace the whole thing) rather than iPhones (battery is replaced)?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Apple replaces the watch when doing a battery replacement.

 

[remmarx]

Yes, you can keep paying monthly when the 2 year contract ends. I’ve done it with my aw6 recently…

When you ask for an Apple Watch battery replacement, they give you a whole new Apple Watch. Refurb or not. They don’t replace batteries of aw’s in the stores… Here in Brazil for example they can’t give you refurb piece, due to a local law.

I purchased ac+ for my ultra 2, but I’m not a good example cuz I ALWAYS buy rs, for any gadget I own from Apple.

 

[lanceuppercut47]

Yes, you can keep paying monthly when the 2 year contract ends. I’ve done it with my aw6 recently…

When you ask for an Apple Watch battery replacement, they give you a whole new Apple Watch. Refurb or not. They don’t replace batteries of aw’s in the stores… Here in Brazil for example they can’t give you refurb piece, due to a local law.

I purchased ac+ for my ultra 2, but I’m not a good example cuz I ALWAYS buy rs, for any gadget I own from Apple.

Okay that’s good to know it can be extended, I don’t think I’d be replacing my AW as often as I do iPhone.

The fact that it’s a refurb doesn’t bother me one bit, if it was an Amazon returb or an eBay refrub, then yeah but Apple? No problem.

 

[CharlesShaw]

If aging battery replacement is your only reason for considering Apple Care, then I would just save the money toward a battery replacement further down the road than two years. Unless you’re using your watch to stream music all day on cellular or phone calls all day [or whatever runs the battery way low every day], it’s very unlikely that your battery health will be disappointing in two years. I‘m very active, track workouts, and use my September 2022 AWU for lots of things, but the battery life is so good that I could still skip a day [or two] of charging if I wanted.

 

[remmarx]

If aging battery replacement is your only reason for considering Apple Care, then I would just save the money toward a battery replacement further down the road than two years. Unless you’re using your watch to stream music all day on cellular or phone calls all day, it’s very unlikely that your battery health will be disappointing in two years. I‘m very active, track workouts, and use my September 2022 AWU for lots of things, but the battery life is so good that I could still skip a day of charging if I wanted.

I totally agree with u. Even being addicted to AppleCare +.

He should buy if he is afraid of damage… only battery? Hmmm… I really dunno …

 

[Shirasaki]

Worth it if you don’t want to babysit your Apple Watch. A single catastrophic accident will make every penny paid on AC+ worth it.

 

[jz0309]

Yes I know, worth is subjective as someone who doesn’t go outside is less likely to damage it compared to someone who is move active. But it seems as the Ultra is much more durable than the regular AW, which is nice.

Out of warranty, it’s £95 for a battery replacement for a U2 assuming no additional damage. The cost of 2 years of AC+ is £99 so my idea is even if I don’t damage it, I would get it replaced under AC+ before the 2 years is up as I’ll have something with a fresh battery at the very least (yes I know it’ll likely be refurbished but lets face it, Apple refurbished is pretty much a new device anyway)

Is it possible to move onto the monthly plan once the 2 year upfront plan has run out? I know you can extend with iPhones but not AirPods.

Also, does a battery replacement for AW’s work like iPads (they replace the whole thing) rather than iPhones (battery is replaced)?

If it is for concern of battery replacement - there was a thread here where original Ultra owners reported 98-100% battery health after 1 year (mine was 99), so the battery should last 4+ years…
I always get AC+ for my AW as I bang them everywhere and also had crashes while mountain biking

 

[CharlesShaw]

If it is for concern of battery replacement - there was a thread here where original Ultra owners reported 98-100% battery health after 1 year (mine was 99), so the battery should last 4+ years…
I always get AC+ for my AW as I bang them everywhere and also had crashes while mountain biking

Thanks. It hadn’t occurred to me that the Watch tracks battery health in the Settings app. Mine is still at 100% at 15 months.

Edit: And am I correct that Apple won’t replace the battery until it’s below 80%?

 

[the future]

Edit: And am I correct that Apple won’t replace the battery until it’s below 80%?

You are. And this is why the OP‘s calculation is flawed.

 

[sw1tcher]

AC+ would be a waste of money if your main concern is the battery. Apple won't replace the battery under AC+ if the battery life is 80 percent or greater.

Apple Watch Service and Repair - Apple Support

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

support.apple.com

Battery service

We can service the battery in your Apple Watch for a fee. Our warranty doesn’t cover batteries that wear down from normal use.

Your product is eligible for battery service at no additional cost if you have AppleCare+ and your product's battery holds less than 80% of its original capacity.


It's rare for a Watch battery to be under 80% within 2 years time.

In the end, it's usually the seller of extended warranties that wins.

 

[Wando64]

If your battery is below 80% after two years, here in the UK you would be entitled to a warranty replacement, regardless of whether you have AC+ or not.

 

[sw1tcher]

If your battery is below 80% after two years, here in the UK you would be entitled to a warranty replacement, regardless of whether you have AC+ or not.

That would make everyone in the UK eligible for a free battery replacement.

 

[lanceuppercut47]

If aging battery replacement is your only reason for considering Apple Care, then I would just save the money toward a battery replacement further down the road than two years. Unless you’re using your watch to stream music all day on cellular or phone calls all day [or whatever runs the battery way low every day], it’s very unlikely that your battery health will be disappointing in two years. I‘m very active, track workouts, and use my September 2022 AWU for lots of things, but the battery life is so good that I could still skip a day [or two] of charging if I wanted.

So far in the month or so of ownership, I'm getting 2 days of a 100% charge, certainly not a heavy user to the point of draining the battery in a single day.

 

[lanceuppercut47]

I totally agree with u. Even being addicted to AppleCare +.

He should buy if he is afraid of damage… only battery? Hmmm… I really dunno …

Not mainly battery, but my point was for a £5 difference, I'd be covered for AC+ rather than just putting the £95 in the bank for a battery replacement. If the AC+ cost was different then it would need more thought.

The way I'm looking at it as £95 for a replacement U2 in 2 years time assuming it's undamaged vs £99 for a new U2 in 2 years time at best case, at worst case, £99 + the excess for a replacement under AC+

 

[Wando64]

That would make everyone in the UK eligible for a free battery replacement.

OK, OK, OK, I know what I meant, and so do you 😉

 

[Jackbequickly]

Not a believer in extended warranties, so far I have never needed one so I am ahead of the game financially. I guess if you are accident prone then get it on your phone but not your watch. If you own it for long enough and the battery goes below 80%, pay for a new battery and you will still be ahead.