Apple has AppleCare+, which at first glance, appears to be a hassle-free bolt-on to insure your new shiny device. But what is AppleCare+ and are customers getting value for money? This guide has pored over the finer details to put you in the picture.
AppleCare+
Let’s not confuse this with AppleCare. The regular or basic AppleCare, to make things clearer, comes with your purchase, and this includes a limited warranty with up to 90 days of complimentary technical support. Manufacturing defects, such as faulty batteries, fall under the remit of AppleCare.
In contrast, AppleCare+ is the core insurance product tantamount to an extended warranty period. This will cover any of your devices, whether it be your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. Apple also allows customers to acquire a two-year plan in a single payment or spread out monthly.
When you buy a device, Apple won’t force AppleCare+ upon customers. Instead, they will give them time to mull over the plan which they can sign up to within 60 days of purchase.
What Should You Expect
To qualify for AppleCare+, you must buy a new iPhone outright, it can’t be a second-hand model. For iPhones, AppleCare+ will only apply to the following handsets:
- Full range of iPhone 15 series
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 13
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
There is a second insurance policy (AppleCare+ with ‘Theft and Loss’), which is more comprehensive, should your device get stolen or you end up losing it, and individuals will be protected while traveling anywhere in the world.
Outlining the Benefits
There will be those who are skeptical about AppleCare+, but there are some benefits attached for iPhone users, which have been outlined below:
- 24/7 priority access to Apple experts: You can get round-the-clock software support either by live chat or phone. Apple often claims that it can resolve any underlying issues during a single conversation.
- Express replacement service: Apple will send you a replacement device if your phone requires serious repair, especially if you can’t be without your iPhone for too long. This isn’t available in the screen or back damage excess fee.
- Battery service: If your phone’s battery retains less than 80% of its capability, the AppleCare+ plan will service this. Your battery will be automatically covered if your iPhone is under warranty.
- Unlimited incidents or accidental damage protection: AppleCare+ will fix your phone as a result of accidental damage, including liquid damage. Each incident will be subject to excess fees, with screen or back glass damage incurring a fee.
Fulfilling Gaming Needs
Those who have an affinity with Apple products will be locked into the ecosystem, whereby they will have multiple devices and everything will sync up, so it will all be backed up on iCloud. As such, AppleCare+ will come in handy for those who enjoy video gaming, so that if things go pear-shaped, they will have a crucial safety net.
This principle also applies to gambling, and indeed, many of the best new online casinos for UK players will also be well-versed in meeting the needs of its mobile players. Sites, such as All British Casino have a fully functioning and high-performing native app for iOS users, and it will replicate all areas of the desktop product.
Is AppleCare+ Worth It?
On the face of it, AppleCare+ comes with quite a few perks, such as 24/7 expert help that will make itself an attractive proposition to UK customers, and the extended warranted period means the plans in place are reasonably priced.
To a certain extent, it represents good value, but there are other alternatives out there, such as using third-party insurers or adding mobile devices onto an existing home contents insurance policy rather than taking out separate gadget insurance which can make things more expensive.
This guide has been designed to provide a detailed overview of AppleCare+, but the onus is on you to be meticulous and carry out any necessary research before committing to said policy.