AppleCare+ basically more than doubles the cost of a typical iPhone.
Since we're only discussing verifiable well-known public facts, it's
commonly known by most people that AppleCare+ doubles the iPhone price.
Since the Apple religious zealots defend Apple to the death, no matter
what, using the first inane excuse they can possibly think of, take a look
at this math for a new iPhone today, that lasts for 7 years on AppleCare+.
<https://www.macrumors.com/2025/02/04/applecare-iphone-price-increase/>
See if you can find any flaws in the math using current pricing schedules.
Using the monthly plan, which is the most common way people pay for AppleCare+, you're essentially buying the phone more than two times.
<https://www.pocket-lint.com/applecare-iphone-price-hike/>
How much more than twice the original cost you're paying for that iPhone depends on how you manage to pay for that absurdly expensive insurance.
With monthly insurance, an iPhone costs more than twice the original cost.
a. Initial Purchase: $1,000
b. AppleCare+ (Monthly): $1,175 ($13.99 x 84 months)
c. Total 7-year cost (phone + insurance): $2,175 (i.e., $310 per year)
d. Percentage of Original Price: 217%
With monthly "Theft and Loss" insurance, the math only gets worse.
a. Initial Purchase: $1,000
b. AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss (Monthly): $1,343 ($15.99 x 84 months)
c. Total 7-year cost (phone + insurance): $2,343 (i.e., $335 per year)
d. Percentage of Original Price: 234%
If you're clever, you pay for the first two years at a discount, then roll into a monthly plan for the remaining five years of the iPhone lifetime.
a. Initial Purchase: $1,000
b. Upfront AppleCare+ (Years 1-2): $199
c. Monthly Renewal (Years 3-7): $839 ($13.99 x 60 months)
d. Total 7-year cost (phone + insurance): $2,038 (i.e., $291 per year)
e. Percentage of Original Price: 204%
Again, even if you're clever, it only gets worse with Theft and Loss.
a. Initial Purchase: $1,000
b. Upfront AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss (Years 1-2): $299
c. Monthly Renewal (Years 3-7): $959 ($15.99 x 60 months)
d. Total 7-year cost (phone + insurance): $2,258 (i.e., $323 per year)
e. Percentage of Original Price: 226%
As of February 2025, Apple bumped monthly rates by $0.50 for standard plans and $1.00 for Theft and Loss. Hence, the clever path is more difficult now because Apple has removed the upfront 2-year payment option from physical stores, forcing gullible buyers into the subscription loop from day one.
There's a reason I say Apple's marketing propaganda is brilliant, as they fleece customers who gladly pay more than TWICE THE PRICE for their iPhone.
Having laid out the arithmetic based on current 2026 AppleCare+ rates and Apple's own 7-year support window, I expect Apple religious zealots to
object to the math, so, if they do, I simply ask for their calculations.
If anyone think's the math above is off, please show your work, as I don't shill for any OEM. I just want to make good assessments based on facts.
In fact, I'm happy for the math above to be corrected if anyone can find a way to keep this device fully insured for its technical 7-year lifespan without paying nearly double the sticker price.
Until then, the numbers suggest that Apple isn't just selling hardware;
they are directing loyal customers into a high-yield subscription model.
On 2026-04-24 17:47, Maria Sophia wrote:
AppleCare+ basically more than doubles the cost of a typical iPhone.
Since we're only discussing verifiable well-known public facts, it's
commonly known by most people that AppleCare+ doubles the iPhone price.
Since the Apple religious zealots defend Apple to the death, no matter
what, using the first inane excuse they can possibly think of, take a look >> at this math for a new iPhone today, that lasts for 7 years on AppleCare+. >> <https://www.macrumors.com/2025/02/04/applecare-iphone-price-increase/>
See if you can find any flaws in the math using current pricing schedules. >>
Using the monthly plan, which is the most common way people pay for
AppleCare+, you're essentially buying the phone more than two times.
<https://www.pocket-lint.com/applecare-iphone-price-hike/>
How much more than twice the original cost you're paying for that iPhone
depends on how you manage to pay for that absurdly expensive insurance.
With monthly insurance, an iPhone costs more than twice the original cost. >> a. Initial Purchase: $1,000
b. AppleCare+ (Monthly): $1,175 ($13.99 x 84 months)
Lie #1.
AppleCare+ is not $13.99 per month; not for a $1,000 iPhone.
The iPhone 17 with 512GB costs $1,029 with no carrier, and for that
phone, AppleCare+ is $11.99 per month
So $1,008 for 84 months but let's move on!
c. Total 7-year cost (phone + insurance): $2,175 (i.e., $310 per year)
d. Percentage of Original Price: 217%
Lie #2.
That anyone actually expects to keep a smartphone for 7 years.
Without delving into rising costs, a much more reasonable estimate of
user purchasing is a new smartphone every 3.5 years...
...in which case, that would be $1,029 x 2 for the smartphones themselves...
...plus the $1,008 for the AppleCare+ monthly coverage...
...resulting in the cost of the smartphone with AppleCare+ being 48%
more than without the extended coverage; less than 1.5 times as much.
With monthly "Theft and Loss" insurance, the math only gets worse.
a. Initial Purchase: $1,000
b. AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss (Monthly): $1,343 ($15.99 x 84 months) >> c. Total 7-year cost (phone + insurance): $2,343 (i.e., $335 per year)
d. Percentage of Original Price: 234%
Lie #3.
There is no separate, higher price for "AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss".
The price I just showed INCLUDES IT.
Direct from Apple's US store:
'AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss
Cover this product [an iPhone 17 with 512GB and no carrier] only
$11.99/mo. or $119.99/yr. until cancelled
• Unlimited repairs for accidents like drops and spills
• Theft and loss coverage for up to 2 claims every 12 months
• 24/7 priority support from Apple experts
• Express Replacement Service — we'll ship you a replacement so you don't have to wait for a repair'
If you're clever, you pay for the first two years at a discount, then roll >> into a monthly plan for the remaining five years of the iPhone lifetime.
a. Initial Purchase: $1,000
b. Upfront AppleCare+ (Years 1-2): $199
c. Monthly Renewal (Years 3-7): $839 ($13.99 x 60 months)
d. Total 7-year cost (phone + insurance): $2,038 (i.e., $291 per year)
e. Percentage of Original Price: 204%
Again, even if you're clever, it only gets worse with Theft and Loss.
a. Initial Purchase: $1,000
b. Upfront AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss (Years 1-2): $299
c. Monthly Renewal (Years 3-7): $959 ($15.99 x 60 months)
d. Total 7-year cost (phone + insurance): $2,258 (i.e., $323 per year)
e. Percentage of Original Price: 226%
As of February 2025, Apple bumped monthly rates by $0.50 for standard plans >> and $1.00 for Theft and Loss. Hence, the clever path is more difficult now >> because Apple has removed the upfront 2-year payment option from physical
stores, forcing gullible buyers into the subscription loop from day one.
There's a reason I say Apple's marketing propaganda is brilliant, as they
fleece customers who gladly pay more than TWICE THE PRICE for their iPhone. >>
Having laid out the arithmetic based on current 2026 AppleCare+ rates and
Apple's own 7-year support window, I expect Apple religious zealots to
object to the math, so, if they do, I simply ask for their calculations.
If anyone think's the math above is off, please show your work, as I don't >> shill for any OEM. I just want to make good assessments based on facts.
Done.
In fact, I'm happy for the math above to be corrected if anyone can find a >> way to keep this device fully insured for its technical 7-year lifespan
without paying nearly double the sticker price.
And the "no true Scotsman" fallacy is introduced!
Until then, the numbers suggest that Apple isn't just selling hardware;
they are directing loyal customers into a high-yield subscription model.
In fact, I'm happy for the math above to be corrected if anyone can
find a
way to keep this device fully insured for its technical 7-year lifespan
without paying nearly double the sticker price.
Until then, the numbers suggest that Apple isn't just selling hardware;
they are directing loyal customers into a high-yield subscription model.
Now that is good service.
presents no evidence that including claims as a cost to Apple
AppleCare+ is a "high yield subscription model". It could also be a way
to keep customers loyal to the Apple brand in that claims paid never
result in cash payments. Devices are either repaired or replaced with
like (or better) devices.
pothead wrote:
Now that is good service.
Don't you guys even look at the crap that Alan Baker posts before
responding to his trolls? Please do not respond to Alan Baker's drivel, as
it forces the rest of us to see it.
In always defending Apple to the death, no matter what, using the first
inane excuse he could come up with, Alan Baker used a non-Pro price for AppleCare+ when we clearly are discussing a $1,000+ flagship (the Pro Max).
Plus, Alan Baker's claim that iPhones are such crap that they can't even
last a few years in use is interesting,
as again, in Always defending Apple
to the death, no matter what, using the first inane excuse he can think of, by Alan Baker claiming all iPhones are crap is not believable in the main.
Hence, all of Alan Baker's numbers are bullshit.
Please do not amplify Alan Baker's trolls.
On 4/24/26 9:10 PM, Alan wrote:
In fact, I'm happy for the math above to be corrected if anyone can
find a
way to keep this device fully insured for its technical 7-year lifespan
without paying nearly double the sticker price.
Until then, the numbers suggest that Apple isn't just selling hardware;
they are directing loyal customers into a high-yield subscription model.
Lie #4
Arlan presents no evidence that including claims as a cost to Apple AppleCare+ is a "high yield subscription model". It could also be a way
to keep customers loyal to the Apple brand in that claims paid never
result in cash payments. Devices are either repaired or replaced with
like (or better) devices.
Please do not amplify Alan Baker's trolls.
| Sysop: | DaiTengu |
|---|---|
| Location: | Appleton, WI |
| Users: | 1,114 |
| Nodes: | 10 (0 / 10) |
| Uptime: | 492507:09:30 |
| Calls: | 14,267 |
| Calls today: | 3 |
| Files: | 186,320 |
| D/L today: |
16,392 files (5,001M bytes) |
| Messages: | 2,518,271 |