Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone 12 Pro Would you get AppleCare if using a huge case like a Defender?
- Thread starter kat.hayes
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Absolutely not. My theory has been to either purchase a case, or AppleCare, but not both.
Absolutly I sure would and did just that with my iPhone 12 Pro Max and my my XS Max before. The case and AppleCare are two different things for different purposes. AppleCare is to fix your phone in case you break it. A case is to reduce the chance of you breaking it but it's not 100%. Also AppleCare covers more than just accidental damage.
The theft and loss protection is definitely worth the $12 a month, in my opinion. I've had several iPhones stolen.
Also, I've seen screens crack in Otter Box cases
Also, I've seen screens crack in Otter Box cases
I always have my phone in a case and screen protector and I still got AppleCare - with theft and loss. You can never be too careful. Anything can happen and it gives me peace of mind in case something DOES happen.
I get Apple Care + with theft and loss and sometimes I use a case. I think is worth having Apple Care regardless if you use a case or not. Two different things.
Absolutely not. I never understood all the talk about Apple Care as a replacement for cases. I mean I hate the look and feel of a phone in a case, too, but a case is soooo much cheaper than Apple Care- even though I could afford it, I would feel horrible for spending that kind of money each year in lieu of a $30 or $40 case.
I don’t use a screen protector but I use a case most of the time. I have AC+ because life happens. I took a turn to tight with no case and banged my phone against the door frame and put a little pin hole in the back glass. My screen has some decent scratches on it, but the battery is still good. AppleCare just paid for those repairs when I go to use it. And then during the second year I could get another screen and a battery replacement. Perfect. If I go to sell it I’ll get top market value 👌🏻
I got AC+ with my new mini. I also use a Apple leather case and screen protector. I don’t like scratches on my phone and the AC+ is for un foreseen problems or accidents.
Definitely.
I’ve thrown an iP wrapped in a Defender across a parking lot almost the length of a tractor trailer, and finished a call...
...intact, though still covered...
...AC then, and AC+/Defender, now
Regards, splifingate
I’ve thrown an iP wrapped in a Defender across a parking lot almost the length of a tractor trailer, and finished a call...
...intact, though still covered...
...AC then, and AC+/Defender, now
Regards, splifingate
I see quite a few people saying an Otterbox makes your phone indestructible but don't think that. Yes I've seen the videos of people throwing phones from second story windows and they just bounced. I've also had my phone fall off the TP dispenser in a bathroom and shatter the screen. You're talking what maybe a two foot drop? Another time I've taken my phone out of an Otterbox for cleaning and saw the back glass was cracked. I have no clue how it happened because you can't see the back when it's inside the case. Both times AppleCare saved me. Having a case should not in any way affect your decision to buy AppleCare or any other insurance.
What should affect your decision is your past history with phones. Some people can have a phone for years and it will be undamaged while others like me are more destructive. If you've never broken a phone in your life and you know your super careful then that's a calculated decision you have to make. Also consider will you be able to come up with the entire cost of a phone should something happen to the one you have. Many people buy their phones from their carrier through a payment plan. If you somehow break that phone your phone bill and payment plan doesn't stop even though you don't have a working phone. At that point you only have a few choices. Fork up the $1200 for a new one, buy a really cheap phone that you will hate, or use an old phone till you can get the $$$$.
Right now I have the AppleCare+ with theft and loss. For $270 or $13.50 a month it was cheaper than what Verizon was charging me for their insurance. In my situation I could just pay cash to get a new phone if I damage or lose this one but I feel the odds are pretty high that it won't go two years without at least a cracked screen. Just one screen replacement saves me $300 ($29 vs $329) so that alone pays for more than what it cost for AppleCare.
What should affect your decision is your past history with phones. Some people can have a phone for years and it will be undamaged while others like me are more destructive. If you've never broken a phone in your life and you know your super careful then that's a calculated decision you have to make. Also consider will you be able to come up with the entire cost of a phone should something happen to the one you have. Many people buy their phones from their carrier through a payment plan. If you somehow break that phone your phone bill and payment plan doesn't stop even though you don't have a working phone. At that point you only have a few choices. Fork up the $1200 for a new one, buy a really cheap phone that you will hate, or use an old phone till you can get the $$$$.
Right now I have the AppleCare+ with theft and loss. For $270 or $13.50 a month it was cheaper than what Verizon was charging me for their insurance. In my situation I could just pay cash to get a new phone if I damage or lose this one but I feel the odds are pretty high that it won't go two years without at least a cracked screen. Just one screen replacement saves me $300 ($29 vs $329) so that alone pays for more than what it cost for AppleCare.
It is your choice. While Defender case will most likely offer more protection, it is not a guarantee. I have seen phones dropped on the concrete without case and there was not even mark on them. But I also seen phones in cases dropped on carpeted floors that cracked. Plus there might be internal damage that happen happen even if outside looks OK.
iPhones can "break" aside from the screen.
My 12 Pro Max decided that FaceID just wouldn't work. Wouldn't even do an initial scan. Took it to the Apple store and diagnostics validated that it was malfunctioning. Of course they sent me home with a new device, but the "repair estimate" for out of warranty was $599.
Otterbox can't help with that.
My 12 Pro Max decided that FaceID just wouldn't work. Wouldn't even do an initial scan. Took it to the Apple store and diagnostics validated that it was malfunctioning. Of course they sent me home with a new device, but the "repair estimate" for out of warranty was $599.
Otterbox can't help with that.
Yeah it’s some weird luck thing. Another misconception people have is OtterBox will pay for their phone if it’s damaged in their case. That is absolutely not true. If your phone gets destroyed in an Autre box they will send you a new case but you’re SOL when it comes to the phone.
I don't use super bulky cases but I don't go for the uber thin ones, either. I've got my phone in a Speck Presidio Grip.
I still get AC+ though. I can pay for a new phone but there's no guarantee I want any of the new devices on offer. I'm not comfortable buying used and I'd absolutely hate having to pay $$$ for OOW repair in case s*#t happens when market price for the device is much lower.
I still get AC+ though. I can pay for a new phone but there's no guarantee I want any of the new devices on offer. I'm not comfortable buying used and I'd absolutely hate having to pay $$$ for OOW repair in case s*#t happens when market price for the device is much lower.