Should I buy AppleCare+ for my S4?

[rdunlap]

I received a Series 4 Apple Watch for Christmas this year. I'm debating whether or not to buy AppleCare+. Usually I purchase AppleCare+ with my iPhones but I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it for the Watch. I was going to put some protection on it like a TPU case but once I put it on I immediately regretted it. I'm sure it will turn yellow after a short amount of time and the moisture and dust that would get underneath would drive me nuts. Was also thinking about getting a screen protector installed but read some things about them coming off easily. My thinking is if I get the AppleCare+ on the Watch I won't have to worry about it if something were to happen to it.

I am open to different opinions. Thank you in advance!

 

[musicpenguy]

The reason I got it this time is that I realized it might be nice to get the battery swapped out to give it a longer life and if you do that once AC+ pays for itself

 

[dgreening]

I purchased AC+ just because it is more out in the open (meaning it is on my wrist) and sometimes doorways are just too narrow or I just cut it to close and my arm hits the doorway.

 

[Ambulater]

I usually don’t buy AC+, but I did for my watch and my wife’s watch because of a number of anecdotal stories from friends and family about smacking their watch on a doorway or the watch just suddenly dying.

In fact, I’m having my 1 1/2 week old Series 4 watch replaced by Apple right now because it didn’t survive my very first lap swim workout session. I’m guessing a leaky seal or something. I started the swim workout session in the workout app, swam laps in a shalllow pool for about 30 min., came out, and the watch wouldn’t turn on using any method (including hard reboot). Although, probably they would have to replace my watch under these circumstances even if I didn’t have AC+.

 

[jazz1]

How do you add AppleCare+ to a newly acquired Apple Watch? Can it be done at my local Apple Store or online?

I have one on order from AT&T and I'm going to be all in for the insurance.

 

[sean000]

How do you add AppleCare+ to a newly acquired Apple Watch? Can it be done at my local Apple Store or online?

I have one on order from AT&T and I'm going to be all in for the insurance.

I did it online from https://mysupport.apple.com
Browse to your watch under devices and you can add it from there.
[doublepost=1546547365][/doublepost]Remember there are two options for purchasing AppleCare+ for the watch: Pay $79 lump sum, or pay $3.99 monthly for 24 months (which will total $95.76).

I purchased AppleCare+ for my original Apple Watch, and I purchased it again for the S4. I don't like to use any kind of case or screen protector on the watch, but I'd probably get AppleCare even if I did. Fortunately I never needed to use AppleCare for my original watch, and hopefully I won't need it for this one either. It's just for the peace of mind so I don't have to worry about being out $400 if something happens.

 

[jazz1]

I did it online from https://mysupport.apple.com
Browse to your watch under devices and you can add it from there.
[doublepost=1546547365][/doublepost]Remember there are two options for purchasing AppleCare+ for the watch: Pay $79 lump sum, or pay $3.99 monthly for 24 months (which will total $95.76).

I purchased AppleCare+ for my original Apple Watch, and I purchased it again for the S4. I don't like to use any kind of case or screen protector on the watch, but I'd probably get AppleCare even if I did. Fortunately I never needed to use AppleCare for my original watch, and hopefully I won't need it for this one either. It's just for the peace of mind so I don't have to worry about being out $400 if something happens.

Thanks for the information!

 

[rdunlap]

Thank you all very much for the insight! I think I’ll be purchasing AppleCare+ tonight!

 

[Disneymom2003]

Great idea!

 

[DontGetTheCheese]

I've never understood people's desire to give someone $100 so they could get $50 back.

You all could send me $100 and I'll give you $75.

It's a better deal than you are getting on any extended warranty.

 

[GRT89521]

I've had an S0, S2, S3 (all aluminum) and just got a Hermes S4. I never saw the need for AppleCare on the Aluminum watches because the cost to replace was too close to the cost of AppleCare + the deductible. But for a $1,300+ cost of the S4 Hermes, it made a bit more sense to me.

 

[Closingracer]

If you break it then you’ll be paying $299 to fix a watch that costs $429... I would just probably not bother at this point. I’m paying monthly for Apple care and the $70 or $80 charge is better

 

[Capeto]

I just had to send my S3 because its speaker was blown, and before going through the process I was pretty sure I hadn’t bought AppleCare with the watch.

Turns out I had, so a $300 repair (they were essentially replacing the watch) turned out costing me $0, and AppleCare pretty much paid for itself.

Like someone else here said, your watch tends to be more exposed than your phone, in addition to the fact that most people don’t put cases/screen protectors on their watch. Most repairs will cost as much as a new watch, so if you have to use AppleCare even once you’ll get the cost back.

 

[rcarter3636]

Yes. I’ve been through 6 Watches (four series 0 and two series 3. Everyone replaced with AC. I wouldn’t buy one without it.

 

[lyricthejoe]

I didn't see anyone mention it, but alternatively you can pay for AppleCare+ Monthly now for the Apple Watch. After tax it's about $4.21.

 

[44267547]

I didn't see anyone mention it, but alternatively you can pay for AppleCare+ Monthly now for the Apple Watch. After tax it's about $4.21.

Good info. I didn’t know that was an option, but I could see how that might be appealing for someone that wants to add AppleCare to a product already they are paying a lot of money for.

 

[iceterminal]

I haven't gotten applecare+ on my past few phones. But I don't drop them and they're usually on my desk, on the table, or in my pocket. But I got it for my new watch as I can tell I'll somehow end up banging in on door frames, tables, etc. And its only $80 anyway.

 

[SoYoung]

I think AC+ is too expensive for just an extra year of warranty. Usually I don't buy it but I did it for my XS Max due to the price of the phone itself. It was an impulse buy in fear of breaking or scratching my phone. But 3 months later, I regret because I never broke any of my phone I had since the first one I got back at 2008. And I don't know if its the same thing for the battery replacement on the Watch, but for iOS device, they'll only replace it if its under 80% health capacity, and 2 years is not enough time to go that low unless your battery is really defective and if its the case you'll see it within the base one year warranty.

I have my Watch S3 on my whist everyday since I got it over a year ago and have no issues at all. So my advice is to wait a week or 2 and chance are you'll not have this impulse buy because its new and expensive and you don't want to break it.

 

[iceterminal]

I think AC+ is too expensive for just an extra year of warranty. Usually I don't buy it but I did it for my XS Max due to the price of the phone itself. It was an impulse buy in fear of breaking or scratching my phone. But 3 months later, I regret because I never broke any of my phone I had since the first one I got back at 2008. And I don't know if its the same thing for the battery replacement on the Watch, but for iOS device, they'll only replace it if its under 80% health capacity, and 2 years is not enough time to go that low unless your battery is really defective and if its the case you'll see it within the base one year warranty.

I have my Watch S3 on my whist everyday since I got it over a year ago and have no issues at all. So my advice is to wait a week or 2 and chance are you'll not have this impulse buy because its new and expensive and you don't want to break it.

I agree with your logic. But since I've never had a watch before this one, and I've already found myself hitting it on things. So I went ahead and purchased it. While the cost is relatively low, maybe its more just for my peace of mind that I got it. And if/when the series 5 comes out, I'm less likely to get it unless its years away.

 

[burgman]

You’re one doorknob away from wishing you had AppleCare. Apple killed my series 4 with the software 5 upgrade. I have killed 3 since series 0. Just depends on luck and lifestyle.

 

[jazz1]

You’re one doorknob away from wishing you had AppleCare. Apple killed my series 4 with the software 5 upgrade. I have killed 3 since series 0. Just depends on luck and lifestyle.

The bigger the Apple Watch 44mm vs 38 mm the bigger the “crunch” Truly going from the 42 mm to 44mm makes me feel more damage prone. YES...signed up for AppleCare+. Heck cost of a decent wristband

 

[Beachmusic18]

This is my first Apple Watch, tho we’ve had any number of phones, an iMac, MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, all without Apple Care. Now reading these responses, I’m regretting not having gotten Apple Care for the watch, a SS AW4. I bought it Oct 4, and at the time the salesperson said if I changed my mind I could add it later. Reading more about this, they have to ascertain the watch is in good working condition, which it is...never an issue. Does anyone know, does this mean leaving the watch at the Apple store, or can they examine it there and OK the purchase? Anyone with experience with this?

 

[jazz1]

I’m sure they can do it as you wait.

 

[Givmeabrek]

This is my first Apple Watch, tho we’ve had any number of phones, an iMac, MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, all without Apple Care. Now reading these responses, I’m regretting not having gotten Apple Care for the watch, a SS AW4. I bought it Oct 4, and at the time the salesperson said if I changed my mind I could add it later. Reading more about this, they have to ascertain the watch is in good working condition, which it is...never an issue. Does anyone know, does this mean leaving the watch at the Apple store, or can they examine it there and OK the purchase? Anyone with experience with this?

You can do it all online. No one will physically look at it and you will not have to talk to anyone. You just run an app to show it is fully functional. Only takes a couple of minutes.

 

[jazz1]

Yes. Online. Then I did talked to a live person at Apple Support. Maybe because I purchased from AT&T? Also be clear if you want monthly payments or one payment up front.