Apple products are known for their high quality and their equally high price. Repairs in particular can quickly become expensive. To protect themselves against high costs, many iPhone users opt for AppleCare+, an additional insurance policy from Apple that covers damage and makes repairs cheaper. But now there is an important change: Apple has increased the prices for AppleCare+ in the USA. Other countries are not yet affected, but there are signs that German users will soon have to expect higher costs too.
A broken display, a broken camera module or other damage to the iPhone can be expensive. If you don’t have Protection through AppleCare+, you have to expect high service fees from Apple. For example, repairing an iPhone 16 Pro Max can cost up to 899 euros. With AppleCare+, this amount is significantly lower. The insurance covers self-inflicted damage and reduces the costs of necessary repairs. But Apple makes the protection more expensive - at least in the USA.
Apple increases prices for AppleCare+ in the US
Apple users in the US have recently had to dig deeper into their pockets. The monthly premiums for AppleCare+ have increased by 50 cents. This affects all iPhone models, including the new iPhone 16. Previously, AppleCare+ for this model cost $9.99 per month, now it is $10.49. Users who opt for AppleCare+ with additional protection against theft and loss will also pay more. However, there are no changes to the service fees or the cost of a one-time payment when taking out a two-year subscription. Apple has also not announced any price increases for other products or markets.
Is there a risk of a price increase in Germany?
There is no confirmation yet that Apple will adjust the prices for AppleCare+ outside the USA. However, it would not be the first time that a price increase is first implemented in the United States and then expanded to other countries. It is therefore quite possible that German Apple users will also have to expect rising costs in the coming months.
Apple prefers monthly payment for AppleCare+
In addition to the price increase, there is another interesting development. Apple is apparently planning to remove long-term AppleCare+ packages from retail. This means that customers may soon no longer be able to take out 24 or 36-month subscriptions. This option has previously been cheaper than monthly payments because it offered savings over the entire term. Apple's strategy could be aimed at getting more users to pay monthly. This would make AppleCare+ more expensive in the long term, even if the monthly prices only increase slightly. However, there is still no official information on when and if this change will actually be implemented.
Is AppleCare+ worth it despite higher prices?
AppleCare+ remains a sensible insurance policy against high repair costs for many users. The insurance can be particularly worthwhile for expensive iPhone models, as the costs are significantly reduced in the event of damage. The recent price increase in the USA could be a sign that German users will soon have to pay more. Anyone thinking about taking out AppleCare+ should probably do so soon, before a possible price increase comes to this country too. (Image: Apple)
