I was thrilled when AppleCare+ was launched for clumsy iPhone owners like yours truly. Not only does it offer screen replacements for $50 less than the standard program, but it also comes with priority 24/7 customer support and software support.
But is it really worth it? The answer is yes and no. Depending on your usage, AppleCare+ can either be a waste of money or a lifesaver. So which category do you fall into? Let’s find out.
The horror of dropping your iPhone and watching it land “screen down” is unbearable for most people. As you pick up the phone with your heart in your mouth and a prayer on your lips, dollar signs start to appear in your field of vision because you know if the screen is damaged it’s going to cost you a bundle.
But how much does it really cost, and do your usage habits warrant the need for AppleCare+? Let’s take a couple of different scenarios to see what the actual costs will be…
Scenario #1 – You never break your iPhone screen
If you’re basically a careful person you probably won’t ever bust your iPhone screen. If someone else tends to handle your phone a lot you’d probably bust their nose first. I have that on good authority.
So if you’re that kind of iPhone user, then the $129 you pay for AppleCare+ is money down the drain.
But what if there’s an accident, you say? Okay, let’s see…
Scenario #2 – You accidentally break your iPhone screen
In this case, if you’re on the AppleCare+ program you’ll only pay $29 for a screen replacement instead of the older price of $79. However, you’ve already paid the $129 for the two-year premium on the coverage so your total is now $158 – higher than replacing your non-covered phone for $129 at an Apple service center.
What if there are two accidents? If you’re the iDon’tCare type of user, then AppleCare+ is definitely for you.
Scenario #3 – Busting your iPhone screen twice in two years
In this scenario your total without coverage would be $258. On the AppleCare+ plan you’d be out $129+$29+$29 = $187. That’s more than $70 cheaper than without coverage.
So here’s my advice, should you wish to take it…
–> If you’re a paranoid user, don’t get the plan.
–> If you have an accident, you still don’t need the plan.
–> If you’re iPhone-screen-accident-prone, get AppleCare+ right now. Or buy a cheaper phone.
It’s all based on your usage and how often you think it’ll get damaged. Don’t forget, AppleCare+ doesn’t cover water or dust damage, but the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are already resistant to water and dust to a great degree, so accidentally dropping it into a pool could be alright. Unless you crack the screen, of course.
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