We protect the things we care about, and for many of us, our iPhone falls right in that category. While the unit ships with a one year repair warranty from Apple (and two years of phone-based tech support), you may want to extend that a bit, and now you can, using the same service that allows you to bring peace of mind to your cherished Mac and iPod: AppleCare.
Today, Apple unveiled the AppleCare package for iPhone. For $69, you can take the warranty to two years from the date of purchase. If you want to take advantage of AppleCare, you’ll need to purchase the plan while the phone is still under its initial one year warranty.
Besides the unit itself, the AppleCare Protection Plan for iPhone covers the iPhone Bluetooth headset, and all accessories that come with that and the iPhone. And, like the AppleCare plan for Macs and iPods, it’s transferable: if you sell your iPhone to someone else, they can continue to use the Apple Care support until it runs out.
Unfortunately, not everybody can pick up the AppleCare plan: residents of Alabama, Connecticut, Nevada, and Wyoming will not be able to purchase the plan, since Apple is “not authorized” to sell it in those states.
Only a year of additional coverage? Lame.
For 11-13% of the cost of the iPhone, I'd want a two year extension or coverage for accidental damage.
i was reading the "fine print" and was unclear about how this covers the potential battery issue. if MW can delve into that and report back...that would be great.
i look at it this way, i have until my 1 year warranty is over to buy this...by then we'll have more information about the durability of the device and the problems. i'm going to buy it, but not something i need to think about until month 11. i would have paid $99 for a two year extension.
I can't find anywhere on their site that tells you what all it actually covers.
What's this two-year phone-based tech support..? I got an iPhone about a week ago and I wouldn't mind having the option to utilize that tech support if I need to, and if I already own it by buying the phone.
I know I could look it up, but.. I'm eatin' my dinner here! lazy
Thanks for the tip. I went and bought my Apple Care, as well as the Apple bluetooth headset. The headset still claims the 2-4 weeks shipping estimate, and my invoice claims that the estimated ship date will be August 21 (August 7 for the Apple Care). For a mere $69, I have peace of mind for two years on my iPhone *and* my headset. By that time, I'll presumably be buying my next version of the iPhone.
As a side note, my wife wants an iPhone now too, but she wants to wait until after she finishes her degree. Not too much longer for her. She wasn't too keen on it to begin with, but after using mine all the time, she seems to have changed her mind. ;-)
The fine print is at:
http://images.apple.com/legal/applecare/docs/app_iphone_english.pdf
The battery is covered once capacity is down 50% or more.
NO replacement while being repaired.
NO coverage for theft, accident, etc.
Not as good as the coverage Sprint gave me for my Treos. I get AppleCare for all my laptops, but I am not so sure about this one. At least I have a year to think about it.
What if you buy applecare in a state which honors the service, then move to one that doesn't? We may be moving to Nevada in the next year. I would like applecare for my iphone, but obviously don't want to waste the $$$. I checked apple's web info pretty thoroughly, but couldn't find information regarding this. Does anyone know?