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AppleCare’s Value Hinges on Damage Risk as Apple Expands Subscription Plans

Engadget examines whether AppleCare is worth its cost, comparing monthly and annual plans, repair fees, theft and loss coverage, and third-party insurance options for iPhones, Macs and other Apple devices.

AI News Feed · 2026-09-14 23:06

Every Apple device includes a one-year warranty at no extra cost. That warranty covers factory defects and hardware failures, but it does not cover accidental damage such as a dropped iPhone or a cracked display. AppleCare is designed as an insurance-like plan for phones and other Apple devices.

AppleCare has changed since its early years, when customers typically paid about $199 for a flat fee that included accidental damage coverage and a two-year warranty. It now offers monthly plans, theft protection and bundles for multiple devices. Coverage is available for iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro, Apple TV and HomePod, as well as accessories including AirPods and Beats.

Prices vary by product. AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss for an iPhone 17 Pro is $13.99 a month or $139.99 a year. For an iPhone 17e, it is $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year. AirPods Pro coverage costs $1.99 a month or $19.99 a year. Theft and loss protection applies only to iPhone, iPad and Watch, not Macs or accessories.

Enrolled customers get unlimited repairs for most accidental damage, including drops and liquid spills. Apple may offer same-day repair when available, and in some cases may replace a device rather than repair it. Some damage still carries service fees: $29 for an iPhone screen, $99 for other iPhone damage and $149 for theft or loss replacement, according to Apple’s service fee page cited by Engadget.

Apple also introduced AppleCare One, a subscription that covers three devices for $19.99 a month. Additional devices cost $5.99 each. The plan is available outside the United States, including the UK, France, Germany and Australia.

The report says a year of AppleCare for an iPhone 17 at $199.99 plus a screen repair service fee would still cost less than a single out-of-warranty screen fix. That remains true even after recent price increases on some AppleCare plans. Another benefit is that users may not need a bulky case to protect their devices.

Other insurance options compete with AppleCare. AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon sell smartphone coverage, as do MVNOs such as Mint Mobile. AT&T plans start at $16 a month, which is more expensive than AppleCare but has no deductible on certain repairs. SquareTrade offers accidental-damage-only plans starting at $8.99 a month, and its four-phone plan costs $19.99 a month. Apple generally wins on customer service and repairs from the device maker, while third-party repair shops may return devices faster or offer more suitable family plans.

For users who rarely damage their devices, the report suggests saving the money instead. That approach leaves cash available for repairs and allows the funds to go toward a new device if no damage occurs.