Series 3 LTE or Apple Care

[breezyf808]

Bite the bullet and purchasing a series 3.

Should I buy the LTE aluminum version or regular series 3 with Apple care?

Trying to be in a budget, but have the funds to buy SS version.

Any suggestions/opinions....don't want to regret it.

ZINGER - Won't be activating LTE.

 

[Shirasaki]

If you like larger capacity, allergic to composite back, want to use explorer watch face, go for LTE version. But SS is only available in LTE. Plus, no matter what you choose, you should get an AppleCare, as watch is more prone to damage than phone or iPad, Mac.

 

[44267547]

Bite the bullet and purchasing a series 3.

Should I buy the LTE aluminum version or regular series 3 with Apple care?

Trying to be in a budget, but have the funds to buy SS version.

Any suggestions/opinions....don't want to regret it.

ZINGER - Won't be activating LTE.

Since you won’t be activating LTE, then I would just opt for the Series 3 GPS model with AppleCare. As another member indicated, the Apple Watch has a higher rate of being damaged being it’s worn on your wrist and what it can be subjected to on a daily basis.

 

[jav6454]

It's like what? $50 for AppleCare for a $300 watch... worth it.

 

[Otflyer]

Get Apple care no matter which watch you buy. It makes owning the watch worry free.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Definitely get the AppleCare+, unless you don't have a problem self-insuring.

 

[raqball]

I am in the same boat as the OP. I think I am going to go with GPS only, a screen protector and Apple Care +..

 

[Ffosse]

I didn't bother with Apple Care for mine - seeing a cheap watch as just disposable, ultimately. Taken care off, if it does me another year I'll be happy or have moved on.

 

[raqball]

I didn't bother with Apple Care for mine - seeing a cheap watch as just disposable, ultimately. Taken care off if it does me another year I'll be happy or have moved on.

I'll get Apple care as $50 + $70 to replace it = $120. I'd rather spend that than be out the $359 or whatever Apple charges to fix them if damage occurs.

Edit to add: Looks like Apple charges $229 for out of warranty or accidental damage (without Apple Care+) repairs.

https://support.apple.com/watch/repair/service/pricing

Watches get dinged up and even more so if used for fitness. If I never need it replaced then the $50 for Apple Care was worth the piece of mind. If I sell it later to upgrade it's either a selling point that it has the coverage or I can cancel it and get a partial refund..

 

[TiggrToo]

I didn't bother with Apple Care for mine - seeing a cheap watch as just disposable, ultimately. Taken care off, if it does me another year I'll be happy or have moved on.

Whilst you may be fortunate to be able to see it that way, for the vast majority of us, that is most certainly not true. I have the privilege of earning a very decent salary - yet even I had to think long and hard about my Series 3 purchase.

As such, most of us I'd expect, having an appreciate of the cost, would see Apple Care as the optional item that's not so optional.

My Series 3's already feeling a bit icky and needed to be sent off for some Apple TLC: After 1 year that would cost me $250 to do. With Apple care - Zero dollars, zero cents.

So, to answer the OP, yes, do it. If you intended to keep the watch more than one year, my personal belief is it's totally required.

 

[raqball]

I look at Apple Care + this way:

• If you don't get it and keep the watch in great shape you saved $50
• If you don't have it and the watch replaced once you lost $110 (AC = $50 + $70 replacement fee -v- $230)
• If you don't have it and the watch replaced twice you lost $270 (AC = $50 + $140 replacement fee -v- $460)

For a watch that's going to get dinged up I think it's more than worth the $50 for the coverage.

 

[44267547]

I didn't bother with Apple Care for mine - seeing a cheap watch as just disposable, ultimately. Taken care off, if it does me another year I'll be happy or have moved on.

I also passed on Applecare for the Apple Watch. I understand the risks, but the durability of the sapphire display and stainless casing is more than enough protection for my needs. No damage to date on any of my Watches.

 

[TiggrToo]

I also passed on Applecare for the Apple Watch. I understand the risks, but the durability of the sapphire display and stainless casing is more than enough protection for my needs. No damage to date on any of my Watches.

Just bear in mind (as I found out) that when screwed up, WatchOS has to be reflashed by Apple ($249 without warranty )

It's not always a physical case issue - sometimes the hardware or firmware can go bad as well, no matter how well you look after it.

I didn't have AppleCare on my Series 1 that I purchased as a night watch just before Christmas until this week - I do now!

 

[breezyf808]

I heard lots of stories of how the series 3 (gps only) glass scratches easily, my wife's series two (aluminum version) has a deep scratch that can't be removed. So I will be getting ac+
I had a pebble steel which the glass would not even leave a scratch if banged against steel Dumbbells or tables.
How would one go about with Apple when there's a deep scratch on watch? Do I just phone Apple and tell them I want a replacement because there's one deep scratch? Will Apple replace watch with a refurb or a brand new watch?

 

[Apple_Robert]

I heard lots of stories of how the series 3 (gps only) glass scratches easily, my wife's series two (aluminum version) has a deep scratch that can't be removed. So I will be getting ac+
I had a pebble steel which the glass would not even leave a scratch if banged against steel Dumbbells or tables.
How would one go about with Apple when there's a deep scratch on watch? Do I just phone Apple and tell them I want a replacement because there's one deep scratch? Will Apple replace watch with a refurb or a brand new watch?

If Apple were to replace, you would get a refurb that look and operate as new.

If you have AppleCare, head to the Apple store and they will lead you through the process of either repair or replace.

If you don’t have AppleCare+, they will tell you the set price for repair.

 

[breezyf808]

If Apple were to replace, you would get a refurb that look and operate as new.

If you have AppleCare, head to the Apple store and they will lead you through the process of either repair or replace.

If you don’t have AppleCare+, they will tell you the set price for repair.

Thanks for the reply.
I live in Hawaii on an island that does not have an official Apple Store. So I would have to call and set something up I would think.
But would a matter of a few scratching on screen qualify for a replacement?

 

[bruinsrme]

I generally purchase Apple care.

Watch wearers when you bump your watch do you immediately look at it?
Do you go oh sheet?
Then maybe have a sigh of relief?
[doublepost=1519606724][/doublepost]

I'll get Apple care as $50 + $70 to replace it = $120. I'd rather spend that than be out the $359 or whatever Apple charges to fix them if damage occurs.

Edit to add: Looks like Apple charges $229 for out of warranty or accidental damage (without Apple Care+) repairs.

https://support.apple.com/watch/repair/service/pricing

Watches get dinged up and even more so if used for fitness. If I never need it replaced then the $50 for Apple Care was worth the piece of mind. If I sell it later to upgrade it's either a selling point that it has the coverage or I can cancel it and get a partial refund..

Unused warranty time is refundable.
It can go back to the original payment method, debit deposit or check.

 

[Fpb1980]

How long do you have to buy applecare after the purchase of the watch?

60 or 90 days?

Thx

 

[CobraPA]

Just bear in mind (as I found out) that when screwed up, WatchOS has to be reflashed by Apple ($249 without warranty )

Depends on why it needs to be re-loaded. Apple would normally do this free of charge, unless you had done something to damage the Watch. (Even without AppleCare)

 

[Apple_Robert]

How long do you have to buy applecare after the purchase of the watch?

60 or 90 days?

Thx

60 days.

 

[Davidglenn]

If you are not going to activate the cellular there is little reason to spend the extra money on the cellular. I buy Apple Care on all my products. I have only ever had to use it once but it saved me so much money and downtime I don’t hesitate to purchase it.

Apple Care is like all insurance. If you never need it is a waste of money. If you do use it then it is money well spent.

 

[Apple_Robert]

If you are not going to activate the cellular there is little reason to spend the extra money on the cellular. I buy Apple Care on all my products. I have only ever had to use it once but it saved me so much money and downtime I don’t hesitate to purchase it.

Apple Care is like all insurance. If you never need it is a waste of money. If you do use it then it is money well spent.

The LTE has a slightly bigger battery, not to mention 16GB of storage, compared to 8GB with the GPS. A person can store more music etc and have a little longer day wear, even if he or she doesn't use LTE.

 

[44267547]

It's not always a physical case issue - sometimes the hardware or firmware can go bad as well, no matter how well you look after it.

The software with the Apple Watch rarely has ever any issues, unless the update process was not properly followed with directions or it was interrupted. However, I have never had any issues with the software. Not to mention, if it is software related and if it’s out of the user control, Apple is usually good about assisting with that type of situation where you can send in the Apple Watch and they can reset it for you. Hardware problems typically is user error. Again, I don’t rely on AppleCare for certain products, and the Apple Watch is one of them, to each their own.

 

[Ffosse]

You know, I've never looked at mine, inspecting for damage - I suspect that any blemishes must be slight. That's the aluminium one, too.
[doublepost=1519628764][/doublepost]

Whilst you may be fortunate to be able to see it that way, for the vast majority of us, that is most certainly not true. I have the privilege of earning a very decent salary - yet even I had to think long and hard about my Series 3 purchase.

As such, most of us I'd expect, having an appreciate of the cost, would see Apple Care as the optional item that's not so optional.

My Series 3's already feeling a bit icky and needed to be sent off for some Apple TLC: After 1 year that would cost me $250 to do. With Apple care - Zero dollars, zero cents.

So, to answer the OP, yes, do it. If you intended to keep the watch more than one year, my personal belief is it's totally required.

To me it was simply an impulse purchase - life is too short to make agonising shopping decisions. I already knew what it was and what it could do.

 

[dave006]

The LTE has a slightly bigger battery, not to mention 16GB of storage, compared to 8GB with the GPS. A person can store more music etc and have a little longer day wear, even if he or she doesn't use LTE.

In additional to the features that @BasicGreatGuy already indicated the LTE watch also included a ceramic watch back vs the standard composite (plastic) watch back.

Also the LTE feature might slightly improve the resale value compared a to basic Series 3 (GPS) with the composite back an only 8 GB of storage vs the 16 GB storage of the LTE version with the ceramic back.

Dave