FUNKY GREEN: Should you get AppleCare+ for the Apple Watch?

Tuesday 24 March 2015

Should you get AppleCare+ for the Apple Watch?

Every Apple Watch comes with AppleCare but also with the option to upgrade to AppleCare+

The free level of AppleCare includes a one year limited warranty on hardware repairs, and 90 days of free technical support. AppleCare+ extends the hardware warranty and technical support to two years and adds coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage — though there's an additional service fee for those. So, is it worth it?

AppleCare vs. AppleCare+

To make sure everyone understands the difference, anyone and everyone who buys an Apple Watch from Apple automatically gets the free level of AppleCare, which includes:

1 year limited hardware warranty (2 years for Apple Watch Edition)

90 days of free technical support (2 years for Apple Watch Edition)

That means, if you run into problems setting up or using your Apple Watch during the first three months of ownership (two years for Apple Watch Edition), you can call 1-800-APL-CARE and they'll help you trouble shoot. If any part of the device fails during the first year (two years for Apple Watch Edition), and it's not due to accidental or intentional damage, Apple will likewise replace it.

So, if the digital crown stops spinning or the screen won't come on, you're covered. If you drop it and break it, or take it in the swimming pool and short it out, you're on your own.

Unless you have AppleCare+. For an additional free, AppleCare+ provides the following:

2 years limited hardware warranty (3 years for Apple Watch Edition)

2 years of free technical support (3 years for Apple Watch Edition)

2 incidents of accidental damage (subject to a service fee)

This way, you get technical support from 1-800-APL-CARE for two full years (three years for Apple Watch Edition) at no extra charge, and if the strap mechanism gets stuck or the side button gets loose, and it's not due to accidental or deliberate damage, Apple will likewise replace it for two years (three years for Apple Watch Edition).

But, if it is due to accidental damage, like dropping and cracking the screen or soaking and shorting the electronics, Apple will still replace it, up to twice, for the cost of the service charge.

AppleCare+ costs

Apple hasn't released pricing on AppleCare+ for Apple Watch yet. We'll update this section as soon as they do.

By way of comparison, AppleCare+ for iPhone 6 currently costs $99 with a $79 per-incident fee for accidental damage. AppleCare+ iPad currently costs $99 with a $49 per-incident fee for accidental damage. AppleCare+ for the Mac Pro currently costs $249

AppleCare product page

Apple Watch Edition and AppleCare+

As noted above, the Apple Watch Edition comes with longer basic AppleCare than either the Apple Watch or Apple Watch Sport versions.

2 year limited hardware warranty

2 years of free technical support

Adding AppleCare+, however, still increases the protection as follows:

3 years limited hardware warranty

3 years of free technical support

2 incidents of accidental damage (subject to a service fee)

So, if you're buying an Apple Watch Edition, you start off with what the other versions get for AppleCare+, and can add an additional year by going to Apple Watch Edition Apple Care+. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like you can extend the number of accidental damage incidents.

AppleCare+ vs. credit card benefits

Some credit cards offer warranty extensions as an incentive to use them for major electronic purchases. For example, some cards will offer an additional year of coverage — provided by the credit card company, not the vendor — on any purchase made on that card. Some will even cover loss or theft, which is not covered by AppleCare+.

If you don't want to pay extra for AppleCare+, and don't mind how the credit card companies handle the extra year of coverage, it's something to consider. Just check your policy carefully and make sure you're fully informed about not only what they cover, but how they cover it.

Who shouldn't get AppleCare+?

If you're tight on cash and simply can't afford it, if you consider yourself exceptionally lucky and have never had a new device fail or get damaged, if you have added protection from your credit card company or another source, or if you plan to buy additional or updated Apple Watches so frequently you doubt anything bad will ever have time to happen, then you might not want to get AppleCare+.

Who should get AppleCare+?

If you don't mind paying for peace of mind, if you often find devices fail on you or you're always dropping or otherwise damaging them, if you don't have or don't trust credit card company protection, or if you plan to keep your Apple Watch for more than a year, then you might want to get AppleCare+.