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Protecting your Apple devices may not be top of mind when buying a new one, but if your iPhone screen cracks, AppleCare+ coverage can save you hundreds in costly repairs down the line. By default, any new device you buy comes with a limited warranty that covers manufacturing defects. This will help if your iPhone Duo already has a crack in it, but you'll need an AppleCare+ subscription to avoid paying an arm and a leg for Apple to repair accidental damage or service it in the future.
Apple raised its hardware prices in June, and AppleCare+ costs increased in turn. First increasing in July with the Mac and iPad offerings, new iPhone coverage prices have also increased following Apple's September event. As of now, any existing device coverage and the AppleCare One bundle remain unchanged. But if you're eyeing the iPhone Duo, 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, or even the new touch-screen MacBook Pro, it'd be a shame if something happened and you weren't covered.
Here's how to decide if AppleCare+ is right for you, and what AppleCare+ actually covers.
Should You Get AppleCare+ for the iPhone Duo?
AppleCare+ is a nice deal, but it's debatable whether an extended warranty is strictly necessary for most devices. The iPhone Duo, however, is maybe the one Apple product where not investing in extra coverage is risky. That's because the repair costs for the Duo could run you up to $1,500, and it's already reportedly suffering from screen cracking issues.
While this damage should be covered under Apple's limited warranty, that coverage only includes the first year and doesn't include accidental damage. If you don't have AppleCare+, it would cost $509 to repair outer display and back glass damage, $379 to fix just the outer display, $199 for just back glass damage, and $999 to fix inner display damage. With AppleCare+, you'd pay just $58 for both outer display and back glass damage, $29 for outer display or back glass damage, and only $99 to repair inner display damage.
As for the phone's battery, it costs $229 to have it serviced—$100 more than it would for the iPhone 18 Pro. How much does battery service cost when covered? Nothing; it's free. And what about the hinge? Apple doesn't list those repair costs, so any damage there would likely fall under the $1,499 "other damage" category if you don't have coverage. That's more than another non-folding phone. Meanwhile, AppleCare+ covers all other accidental damage for just $99.
So not only is it more expensive to fix than the more traditional iPhone model, but it's also just not worth it to repair in some instances. If you're planning on buying the iPhone Duo, covering it with AppleCare+ is a must.
AppleCare vs. AppleCare+
Let's first understand the distinction between Apple's limited warranty and AppleCare+ coverage. The limited warranty comes with your purchase and was previously called AppleCare. When you buy a new phone, tablet, computer, or other device directly from Apple or an authorized retailer, it comes with a one-year limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary technical support. This essentially covers you if there is a manufacturing defect, such as a faulty battery or a widespread issue where people are seeing cracks in their screen in the same location. It also includes free setup support.
If you're unsure whether a device is still covered, head to checkcoverage.apple.com and enter its serial number. Or navigate to Settings > General > AppleCare & Warranty on your iPhone or iPad. Select the device in question. If you still have technical support or repair coverage available under AppleCare, an expiration date will be listed; otherwise, it will say "expired."
How to Extend Your AppleCare+ Coverage
If you want coverage against damage, you'll have to invest in an AppleCare+ plan. Think of AppleCare+ as the equivalent of an extended warranty. You can cover an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro, Apple Display, Apple TV, HomePod, and even AirPods or Beats headphones. Apple's newly announced HomeView hub is also eligible for coverage. It gives you access to certain repairs (for a fee), 24/7 technical support, and more.
Apple changed its AppleCare+ pricing model in 2025. Previously, you could purchase an additional two or three years of coverage, but that option has been removed. Instead, Apple prefers you pay a monthly or yearly subscription to continue coverage indefinitely. For extended coverage on a single device, you can buy AppleCare+ at checkout or within 60 days of purchase. The AppleCare One bundle allows you to cover up to three devices for $20 per month, as long as those devices are four years old or newer.
To add coverage after a purchase, go to the My Support page and choose which device you want to cover—you'll need the device's serial number—and the type of coverage you want. You can also add coverage directly from Settings on some devices. Under General > About, look for an Add AppleCare+ Coverage button.
You'll have the option to sign up for AppleCare+ coverage (with Theft and Loss for certain devices) or add the device to any existing AppleCare One plan. Customers from certain countries (including the US, Canada, UK, and many others) can add coverage to an AppleCare+ plan within 45 days of its expiration (up from 30 days previously). Check your My Support page to see when your device's coverage ends.
What Does AppleCare+ Cover?
AppleCare+ covers damage to your device's screen, its external enclosure, and the internal components. If you cover an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, Theft and Loss protection is included, allowing you to replace a lost or stolen device up to two times in a 12-month period (for a fee). For specific information regarding what is and isn't covered under your AppleCare+ policy, reference Apple's Terms and Conditions for your device.
Apple provides AppleCare+ customers with 24/7 priority access to technical support, in-store, on-site (for desktops), and mail-in repairs, unlimited accidental damage protection, and battery service if it falls below 80% of its original capacity. If you need to send in your device, Apple will send you a new one through its Express Replacement Service.
Coverage also extends to any power cords and charging cables included with the covered device. Certain Apple-made accessories you might use with your device are also covered. These include an Apple Pencil and Apple-branded keyboard when you cover an iPad, and the Apple-branded stand or mount you purchased with your Apple Display.
How Much Does AppleCare+ Cost?
Apple has simplified AppleCare+ pricing in recent years. You can bundle up to three Apple devices (four years old or less) under the AppleCare One plan for $19.99 per month. Each additional device is $5.99 per month. If you cover an iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, you'll have Theft and Loss protection for all three devices at no extra cost. A new AppleOne Family plan covers six people in your Family Sharing group, including all their devices, for $49.99.
It's only when you choose to cover a single device that AppleCare+ costs start to vary. Apple's coverage rates for individual devices are available on the specific AppleCare+ product pages. IT costs $14.99 per month or $149.99 per year to cover a new iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max. Shopping for a new laptop? AppleCare+ for the MacBook Neo costs $5.49 per month and $54.99 annually. The HomeView can be covered for just $2.49 per month or $24.99 per year.
However, keep in mind that these rates don't include the service fees that Apple charges to actually fix the device. These fees are lower than the price of a replacement but can vary greatly based on the product and type of damage:
iPhone service fees: It will cost $29 to replace the screen or back glass, $99 for any other damage, and $149 to replace a lost or stolen phone.
iPad service fees: It's $29 to fix the screen; $99 for other damage ($49 for some older models). You can also pay $29 to fix an Apple Pencil or Apple-branded iPad keyboard. It costs $129 to replace a lost or stolen device.
Mac and Display service fees: If you need to get a Mac or Apple Display fixed, it'll cost $99 to repair the screen or enclosure; $299 for other accidental damage. That seemingly includes the touch-screen models as well. For the MacBook Neo, you'll only have to pay $49 for a screen repair and $149 for other damages.
Apple Watch service fees: It costs $69 to fix an Apple Watch and $79 to fix an Apple Watch Ultra. To replace a lost or stolen watch, it will cost $119.
Apple TV and HomePod service fees: If you cover an Apple TV or HomePod mini, repairs will only cost $15. It costs $39 to fix a HomePod.
Headphones fees: It will cost $29 to have your AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or Beats repaired.
Vision Pro service fees: It costs $29 to fix damages to the included accessories. Any other accidental damage will cost $299 to repair.
Check the terms and conditions for your AppleCare+ coverage for more information.
Is AppleCare+ Worth it?
While we generally don't recommend paying for an extended warranty to cover your tech, AppleCare+ is different because it comes directly from Apple. In some cases, the cost of coverage and the repair fee—even with the price increase—are lower than how much it is to buy a new device. And since there's no longer a limit on how many times you can pay to have a device repaired, the value of a plan has gone way up. If you own multiple Apple devices, the AppleCare One bundle's $20 price tag—and even the $50 cost to cover your whole family—makes a lot of sense.
The exact matter of worth probably comes down to how careful you are with these devices. If you're someone who always buys a case for your new phone and tends to keep the same one for several years, coverage might not be necessary. However, if you drop it a lot or have ever had to pay out of pocket for a repair, AppleCare+ could be cost-effective in the long run. Plus, with loss and theft protection, you can just pay a set price for a brand-new phone, iPad, or Apple Watch if it goes missing.
It should also be noted that only certain devices are worth covering. For instance, you probably don't need to cover an Apple TV or HomePod, but devices you plan to take with you, such as a phone, tablet, or laptop, may be worth protecting. If you're a professional who relies on these devices to make a living, it may make sense to cover expensive items like a Mac Pro or Studio Display just to be safe. If you bought an iPhone Duo at launch, we recommend covering the device. Even if your phone screen hasn't cracked, you probably don't want to be stuck without coverage a year out.
About Our Expert
As PCMag's editor of how to content, I have to cover a wide variety of topics and also make our stories accessible to everyday users. Considering my history as a technical writer, copywriter, and all-around freelancer covering baseball, comics, and more at various outlets, I am used to making myself into an expert.
I believe tech corporations are bad, but you might as well know how to use technology in everyday life. Want more how to content delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the tips and tricks newsletter that I curate three times a week.
My job as how-to guru means I use just about every gadget under the sun, so I can figure out how everything works. I work from a Lenovo ThinkPad running Windows 11, but also have a very large Dell Inspiron 17 3000 and Apple silicon MacBook. I have a Google Pixel 6a for personal use and use a Galaxy Z Flip 4 for additional Samsung-related testing. For iOS coverage, an iPhone 13 mini works like a charm, though it's already becoming a little long in the tooth.
My desktop situation includes a dual monitor setup with a modest Acer monitor. I also use a Logitech vertical mouse (who can use these ThinkPad trackpads) and a Havit keyboard (my first mechanical keyboard; I love it but my wife hates it!). I'm a recent convert from wired headphones; I have Anker Soundcore Liberty Air wireless earbuds for personal use and have taken to the Sennheiser HD 450BT headphones for work.
Whenever I have a second to myself, I'm probably gaming on my Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, or Xbox Series S. I also still have a bunch of classic consoles lying around as well.
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