Is the AppleCare+ Plan in India Actually Worth It?

A shiny new iPhone is any buyer’s prized possession. For us, months of saving to make the purchase, followed by months of hard work to recover that cost, are all part and parcel of owning an iPhone. That’s why you think: This is one device I’ll take proper care of and make sure nothing, absolutely nothing, happens to it. Then your old broken iPhone’s image flashes through your mind, reminding you of that unforgettable moment when you dropped it.

Personally, I’ve been using a cracked screen for over a year. My previous iPhone XR, which I never put a cover on, fell while riding a bike and forced me to buy a case. That got me thinking, what if I had purchased the AppleCare+ plan? Would that have benefited me by offering a screen replacement? Nevertheless, gone is the XR, and I now have an iPhone 12 in a milky white shade. So, since I’ve had an incident with my previous device, is it worth getting the AppleCare+ plan in India? Let’s find out.

Difference Between AppleCare and AppleCare+

All Apple products come with AppleCare by default for a period of one year. However, there are certain limitations to Apple’s warranty in the first year. For starters, the default Apple protection plan doesn’t offer screen replacement or accidental damage. Only manufacturing defects or batteries that have drained below 80% capacity in the first year of usage are eligible for Apple warranty claims. Furthermore, Apple’s technical support is limited. You will have to pay the entire cost of screen replacement or battery replacement if you have exhausted your complimentary one year Apple protection plan.

On the other hand, AppleCare+ adds an additional year of warranty on any manufacturing defects. If your iPhone’s battery health goes below 80% before the scheduled warranty ends, you’re eligible for a replacement. Screen replacement is only subject to a repair fee of ₹2,500, and any other damages attract a fee of ₹8,900. For iPhones 12 and above, Apple has included a back glass replacement at the same service fee of ₹2,500. However, don’t think of playing catch with your iPhone too often. With the AppleCare+ plan in India, you are eligible for claiming only two incidents of damage protection every 12 months.

Plus, the initial cost of purchasing an AppleCare+ plan in India is pretty high. You’ll need to pay ₹9,900/- for the iPhone SE 2nd generation, and ₹16,900 for the iPhone 11, 12 mini, 12, 13 mini and the iPhone 13. Yes, it’s the same price for both iPhone 11 and iPhone 13. iPhone 13 Pro’s AppleCare+ plan in India is set at a whopping ₹26,900. Moreover, many think that AppleCare+ adds two years of extended warranty over Apple’s complimentary one year warranty, which is untrue. The extended warranty starts on the date of purchase and will last only for two years.

Is It Worth Getting the AppleCare+ Plan in India?

Do you remember when we discussed certain Apple features that aren’t available in India? Well, there’s an addition: AppleCare+ plan in the USA covers theft, and the Indian version does not. In India, we are limited to only two years of service and technical support. We can claim two incidents of damage and battery replacement per year. Though the screen and the back glass replacement attracts a service charge of two and a half grand, it’s still significantly lower than the original replacement cost.

Also, the AppleCare+ plan in India is not the only insurance or extended warranty coverage you can buy. Multiple companies offer insurance for iPhones at a lesser cost, and they almost cover the same damage protection that Apple provides. I have purchased third-party insurance for my iPhone that gives me coverage for damage protection and protects my device under several circumstances. Instead of the AppleCare+ plan in India, you can look for various alternatives like Bajaj Finserv, Acko, or Servify.

Thus, considering the limitations of the AppleCare+ plan in India, it’s wiser to look for alternatives. However, an Apple warranty has a smoother claim process, and it can be done at any Apple authorized service centre. Either way, having insurance for your pricey new piece of tech is probably a wise decision, especially if you’re as clumsy as me, though not many do. What about you? Did you get AppleCare+ or are planning to?