Why wouldn't I buy phone from Apple store?

[BugeyeSTI]

If the back cracks, a hard case would hide it, correct? Since you already use cases, I’m wondering what the difference would be.

I just don’t like having a damaged phone even if it doesn’t effect the performance. I’m sure the tough armor case would keep it safe. I may pass on the AppleCare+ just because I hate paying for things that don’t get used

 

[Gryzor]

The cables fall apart if you carry them around with you all day every day, and charge wherever and whenever you can find a power point. If you’re lucky enough to drive (and have a dock in your car), have a docking station at work, and one at home too... the cables will last. None of that applies to me though, so the cables eventually die. The Apple ones tend to last me three years each before I have to replace them.

No, they don't. Well, they don't if you just use a bit of common sense and due care. I've got cables going back years and years, not one has ever failed or fallen apart, ever.

 

[SparklyApple]

If you are charging so much, might want to get the battery checked out. I had one cable fray, so I stopped disconnecting by pulling the cable and started pulling the plastic connector instead. That seems to have stopped the problem.

It’s a habit I got into after being in an unfamiliar city 5 or 6 years ago and having my phone run out of battery and thus I couldn’t use Google Maps. I top it up every chance I get when I’m out and about now, especially on buses and trains, though I usually have a battery pack with me now as well. Some apps just use a lot of juice... Pokemon Go being one of them, MapMyWalk another. I do always use the plastic connector to pull the cable out — they split in the middle of the cable due to the cable being bent/having other things in my bag rub against them. Seem to have sorted it by switching to braided cables about a year ago... the cable I have now simply can’t split like the Apple ones do.

 

[tromboneaholic]

It’s a habit I got into after being in an unfamiliar city 5 or 6 years ago and having my phone run out of battery and thus I couldn’t use Google Maps. I top it up every chance I get when I’m out and about now, especially on buses and trains, though I usually have a battery pack with me now as well. Some apps just use a lot of juice... Pokemon Go being one of them, MapMyWalk another. I do always use the plastic connector to pull the cable out — they split in the middle of the cable due to the cable being bent/having other things in my bag rub against them. Seem to have sorted it by switching to braided cables about a year ago... the cable I have now simply can’t split like the Apple ones do.

I will agree the cables could be a little more robust. I suspect that’s why Apple put the charging port on the bottom of their wireless mouse, so people wouldn’t use them with the cable attached and fray the cables.

 

[jo.Lo]

No, they don't. Well, they don't if you just use a bit of common sense and due care. I've got cables going back years and years, not one has ever failed or fallen apart, ever.

I agree. All cables have some kind of "natural form", a direction they can easily be winded up without feeling some kind of resistance. For example, my early 2011 MacBook pro charger looks brand new without any damage, for my iphones I still use the cable that was originally shipped with the 5s I sold long ago. Both cables are in daily use for years now, and they are going to last forever - until the flexibilizer escapes from the plastic and makes it prudish. But all the original Apple cables don't seem to be prone to this effect.

@ Apple care: I don't know, I think most insurances are for people afraid of doing something stupid...

@ Topic: If you should go to an Apple store for purchasing either the 7+ or 8+ depends on the choice - an 8+ you can buy without any fear, a 7+ is around 150-200 cheaper on the aftermarket, also talking of brand new, sealed cases. Where I live, I had to pay 770€ for a new 7+ at Apple, while getting the same product for 550-600€ from resellers. For an 8+ there is no real difference in price.

 

[maflynn]

I buy AC+ when I feel the risk of damage or breakage is high, along with the cost of such.

Given that the iPhone X, is a gen 1 product, and made of glass front and back, and the cost of repairing the rear glass is exorbitantly high AC+ makes sense. Its a type of insurance and like other insurance, people can claim they've saved money on not having car insurance until that one faithful day... I may not need AC+ but the cost of some of the repairs on the X is sufficiently high I think in this case it makes sense.

 

[fischersd]

On the cable thing - the only time I've destroyed an Apple cable was the 30-pin to lightning cable I used for connecting my iPhone(s) to my receiver in my Hyundai (for both hands free as well as music playback).
Canadian winters and sunshine destroyed that cable....the shell became brittle and flaked away (but, that was over the course of like 4 years) - and I taped it up with electrical tape...not pretty anymore, but it still works. 🙂

As for AC+ - I had it on my last iPhone (6s) (didn't get to use it) - and have had it on both of my Apple Watches. I did get to use it on my S0 Apple Watch, as it extends the manufacturers warranty to 2 years - so it paid for itself on the watch, as I had to get a warranty replacement for a crown that stopped working properly.

I have it on the X as I'm rocking this naked (at least until (if?) something awful happens and the phone is shattered. Then its replacement will go in a case. 🙂

I likely won't get AC+ on my next iPhone....really depends how this naked "experiment" plays out. 🙂

If we had IUP up here, I'd have it included in the monthly lease payment and upgrade every year. 🙂

Edit: On topic - why not buy from the Apple store - you may want to take advantage of the IUP program as well.
As for people suggesting the "SIM free" - ie Verizon/Sprint GSM/CDMA phone as it gives you more flexibility. It really depends on how long you're planning on keeping that phone. CDMA's going to be gone in a couple of years. You can use the GSM-only (AT&T/T-Mobile) iPhone anywhere in the world on almost every carrier in the world.