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iPhone XR So, is everyone getting Apple Care + for the XR?

tks900

tks900

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 13, 2016
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I will preorder my XR on Friday (Blue, 128 GB). Never had any damage on my phones (3GS, 4S, 5S, 6S) so far, so you might say I take good care of them, but you might also say that, statistically, it's about time something breaks, right? I am worried particularly about the glass back breaking because it's so expensive to replace, but I will, in all likelihood use a case which should protect at least from 6ft drops or the like.

I'm a bit torn here because getting insurance for a phone that expensive with such high repair costs seems like a good idea, but at the same time, the phone plus Apple Care will cost me more than a 1200 USD where I live, which is exactly what you would pay for a XS, 64 GB, used but like new.

Any thoughts are welcome.
 
How much is it to repair a cracked glass back plate?
[doublepost=1539773949][/doublepost]If it’s as crazy high as for the Xs (max), I’d take it.
 
I don’t purchase Applecare. I would rather save up for possible repairs on my own, and be able to keep that money in the likely event I won’t need it.

If I needed repairs frequently, that would be a different story. In the 7 years I’ve owned iPhones, I’ve only cracked a screen once, and it was a single crack covered under warranty.
 
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Never had Apple Care
Never had protector on screens...

Just a case, always Spigen, cheap and functional
 
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Credit card extended warranty is my solution (along with a decent $20 case). All you have to do is charge the entire cost of the phone to an appropriate credit card.

I don’t buy carrier subsidized phones.
 
I've never broken the screen on an iPhone, dating back to the 4S. However, I always get AppleCare (or now, AppleCare+). I will be getting it on my XR for sure.

On my 4S I used it when my volume buttons stopped working after the first year of warranty, on my 6 I never needed to take advantage of it, and on my 7+ I used it just before the end of the 2-year window when the earpiece speaker needed replacement. So over the last 7 years of iPhone ownership I've spent $327 on warranties, which helped me avoid a minimum of $548 in out-of-warranty repair fees (ball parking the 4S fee at $199 because I can't remember how much it actually cost back then).

For me, it's a no-brainer. Plus if I do accidentally break the screen or back glass for the first time, it's good to know that I can get it repaired quickly, correctly, and for a reasonable deductible.

Edit: Since others are mentioning it, I should probably say that I also use a case. Usually something rubber (NGP type material), thin, and clear. Enough protection to keep it from scratching or dinging when my clumsy ass drops it, but probably won't prevent screen damage if it hits the ground hard... and I'm fine with that because I'd rather have a thin and attractive case than a huge clunky one when a screen replacement cost is only $30 with AC+.
 
EugW said:
Credit card extended warranty is my solution (along with a decent $20 case). All you have to do is charge the entire cost of the phone to an appropriate credit card.

I don’t buy carrier subsidized phones.
Click to expand...

Does your CC warranty actually include damage, etc.? Mine only includes whatever the Apple warrant covers, so manufacturer defects. Dropping a phone and having the screen crack wouldn't be covered for me. So AC+ it is.
 
phillypharm said:
Does your CC warranty actually include damage, etc.? Mine only includes whatever the Apple warrant covers, so manufacturer defects. Dropping a phone and having the screen crack wouldn't be covered for me. So AC+ it is.
Click to expand...
Damage for a few months and regular warranty extended to 2 years.

I’m not worried about screen damage. The AC+ warranty cost PLUS DEDUCTIBLE makes it way too expensive. I’d rather just save my money and pay out of pocket for screen repairs. Given that we have never broken the screen on any of our iPhones in the last decade, I’d say we’ve saved enough money to pay for future broken screens many times over.
 
All the insurance premium (i.e. AppleCare+) and the cost of screen protectors I saved over the years is worth more than an iPhone XS Max.
 
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Thanks very much everyone! It's interesting to see, albeit not very surprising, that those who never needed Apple Care are glad they saved the money and they seem to be in the majority. Those who had Apple Care and did make use of it are, of course, rather happy with this as well. And clearly, in order for this to work for Apple, from a financial viewpoint, it must always be so that most people who have it don't use it (that's how insurances work, right?).
Well, I guess I somehow have the feeling that I got lucky these past 10 years with no damage ever, so that I think I will opt for Apple Care this time around. (Especially since I have little kids running around who might love to throw around, or outright jump upon, shiny phones).
The Credit Card option sounds interesting though, I will definitely check that out and see what's available in my country.
 
I've not bought AppleCare. My first smart phone was the 4S in 2011, bought just after it was released. I upgraded to a 6s in 2015 and my wife took over the 4S, still using it today, back glass and all. We're obviously not hard on our phones and keep them in minimalistic cases. I'm seriously considering upgrading to the XR (my wife will inherit the 6s--she couldn't care less about tech stuff as long as it works) but again with no AppleCare.
 
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Looking at the prices for repair on these phone outside of warranty or without AppleCare is an absolute joke.

Asking customers to pay £350 to repair a screen on a phone is a kick in the balls to be honest.

There’s no way it costs Apple a fraction of that.

And £600 for any other damage.

Given the price with Apple care is £25 and £79 respectively (and there’s no way Apple aren’t making a profit on that either) I find the prices without it sickening.

One area where Apple are unable to hide their pure greed.
 
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lyceumHQ said:
Looking at the prices for repair on these phone outside of warranty or without AppleCare is an absolute joke.

Asking customers to pay £350 to repair a screen on a phone is a kick in the balls to be honest.

There’s no way it costs Apple a fraction of that.

And £600 for any other damage.

Given the price with Apple care is £25 and £79 respectively (and there’s no way Apple aren’t making a profit on that either) I find the prices without it sickening.

One area where Apple are unable to hide their pure greed.
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Third party repair shops charge way, way less for screen replacements, which is another reason why I don't get AC+. They use lower quality screens, but the pixel density is the same, so I wouldn't care that much if the phone is older. It'd likely be replaced sooner rather than later anyway.

So far, we've owned:

iPhone 3G, 4, 5, 5S, SE, 6s, 7 Plus. That's 7 different iPhones, and we have cracked the screen for none of them. The iPhone 5 we had was a third party refurb with a third party screen, so I know what the quality of those screens is like.

iPhone 3G's battery was expanding after 9 years.
iPhone 4 was given to a family member after several years, and then was lost by that person or stolen.
iPhone 5 was the refurb that was used for a while, and then after a few years was dropped into a glass of water.
iPhone 5S was used for 3 years and then sold to Orchard.
iPhone SE was bought used last year (after the incident with the glass of water and the iPhone 5) and is still in use.
iPhone 6s is still in use.
iPhone 7 Plus is still in use.
 
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Just know that employees at Apple Stores are pushed hard by their managers (in some stores) to sell Apple Care to customers. It's a huge cash cow for Apple. It feeds on customers' paranoia.
 
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Just realized we haven't heard from anyone who did not choose to get Apple Care but later wished he had when he destroyed his or her phone? Anyone? Or the other way round: Someone who always got Apple Care, but then never needed it? Where are the Murphy's law cases?
 
It’s insurance. I have always bought AppleCare+ and never needed it. With a $1500 phone on AT&T Next I think it’s worth the expense. Each makes up their own mind.

Two things to note. If you buy the two year program and get new phone every year, be sure to get prorated refund after first year when you return phone.

Consider carefully and read fine print on AppleCare+ With theft and loss protection. The way I read it, Apple is not one replacing lost/stolen phone. Third party insurance does it and the it won’t be covered any longer by Apple for subsequent damage.
 
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Not getting the XR but I always purchase AppleCare with any Apple purchase I make. You're spending nearly a thousand bucks (or for computers, much more) on a device, there's no reason to not spend the extra money to cover it in the case of unexpected problems.

I've ended up using AppleCare on most of my devices, for what it's worth. It's always paid for itself in my opinion, especially for the peace of mind.
 
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I'd personally do theft and loss protection with any insurance company too on anything that expensive.
I don't expect everyone to do the same, but I've needed it 2x now with carrier insurance (now Apple offers it).
 
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AppleCare+ for my XS Max is a no brainer.

I’m paying over a Grand for this phone. The least I can do is buy myself peace of mind from paying the exorbitant amount of money it costs for repairs if I crack the screen or back glass.
 
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davedvdy said:
I'd personally do theft and loss protection with any insurance company too on anything that expensive.
I don't expect everyone to do the same, but I've needed it 2x now with carrier insurance (now Apple offers it).
Click to expand...
Read the fine print. Theft and loss is covered by third party, not Apple. You may be paying to get refurb in case of claim.
 
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I only have Apple Care Plus on a watch and that was kind of a waste and my 8 Plus because I plan to keep and use it until it can’t be used for some reason. Even if I personally stop using it, it can be passed along to a child or grandparents in the family. It’s valuable to me for potential future elder use because it’s got a home button.

I’m probably keeping the Xr until the new one comes out next year. If something unfortunate happens to the back glass I’ve got colorful duct tape.

It would then become my travel phone in case TSA wants to take it from me and look at all my ebooks and downloaded music collection and cheesy free movies from Amazon Prime.
 
I’m extremely careful with my devices and never had a case of accidental damage.

That said, I will still purchase AppleCare for my XR. I just like that piece of mind.
 
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