Warranty

Purported pricing for Apple Watch extended warranty leaks

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 3, 2015

While Apple did confirm during its second Apple Watch media event on March 9, 2015 that it will be offering its AppleCare+ extended coverage plan for the wearable device, it did not present pricing for the extended support plans tailored specifically to the Watch.

Friday, MacRumors shared some purported AppleCare+ pricing information for the Apple Watch models, obtained from a source. According to writer Juli Clover, AppleCare+ for each version of the Watch will be priced differently, with the gold-plated Apple Watch Edition commanding the highest premium in terms of extended warranty coverage.

Apple extends AppleCare+ purchase window to 60 days for iPhone and iPad

Joe Rossignol ∙ July 1, 2014

As we outlined in a report earlier this month, Apple has gone ahead and doubled the AppleCare+ purchase window for new iPhones and iPads. Customers are now eligible to purchase AppleCare+ for their new iPhone and iPad up to 60 days after purchasing the device, whereas it was previously 30 days. AppleCare+ extends Apple's 90-day complimentary support to two years and includes accidental damage coverage.

AppleCare+ costs $99 for both the iPhone and iPad plans, purchasable through the Apple Store both in-store and online. Apple has updated its website to reflect the new 60-day policy that is now in effect in all regions outside of Japan, where the 30-day window remains. These changes do not apply to Macs, iPods or any other Apple products outside of the iPhone and iPad…

Sprint device protection, now with data security, automatic backups and personalized tech support

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 5, 2018

The United States wireless carrier Sprint, the nation's third-largest, on Monday introduced a new equipment protection plan that offers additional protection for your tablet and smartphone devices for an additional two bucks per month. The Sprint Total Equipment Protection Plus (TEP Plus) plan costs thirteen bucks per month, per device.

It offers everything included in Sprint's existing $11 per month Total Equipment Protection - theft insurance, accidental damage and next-day loss, to name a few - and then some more: data security, personalized tech support and automatic media backups.

Jump past the fold for the full reveal...

iPhone return policy drops from 30 to 14 days

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 12, 2014

Apple's just made an important change to its iPhone return policy. According to the firm's newly-updated Retail Store Purchase Policies, customers who bought an iPhone directly from the Apple Online Store and in Apple Retail Stores now have 14 days to return it for a refund.

"For iPhone returns, you may return your undamaged iPhone with its included accessories within 14 days of purchase for a full refund," Apple acknowledges.

Previously, people had 30 days to return their iPhone for a refund. The company has apparently shortened the return window in order to match carriers' 14-day policy...

Belgian judge threatened to block Apple websites over EU warranty shenanigans

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

For quite some time now, Apple has been at odds with EU watchdogs who've been complaining a lot about the iPhone maker's unacceptable stance and practices when it comes to educating EU buyers on their consumer rights.

At the heart of the issue: Apple's unwillingness to explain to its users in an unambiguous manner that EU consumer laws entitle them to at least two years of coverage on consumer electronics.

As Apple's standard warranty provides twelve months of coverage, the company was caught cunningly beating around the bush by attempting to upsell buyers to its pricey AppleCare+ extended protection plan, which it introduced last September in the United Kingdom, Italy, France and elsewhere in Europe.

Apple was even fined over this in Italy and now comes word that a Belgium judge has contemplated blocking access to all Apple websites in the country because the company has continued to mislead consumers about warranty protections available for products purchased from its brick-and-mortar and online stores...

Apple agrees to change Australian warranty policies after run-in with watchdog

Cody Lee ∙ December 18, 2013

Apple has come under fire again for its overseas warranty practices this week. The company is being forced to change its return and repair policies to fit under Australian consumer law after it was found to be lying to consumers about their entitled coverage.

Under ACL, warranties are expected to be kept in effect "for the amount of time that it is reasonable to expect, given the cost and quality of an item." So essentially, there's no set expiration date to them. But apparently, Apple has been telling folks differently...

Apple launches $59 AppleCare+ extended coverage for iPod touch and iPod classic

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 11, 2013

Hot on the heels of yesterday's iPhone 5s/5c introduction, Apple has quietly brought its premium $99 AppleCare+ iPhone coverage to the United Kingdom, France and Italy. The extended coverage plan - previously limited to customers in the United States, Canada and Japan - covers up to two incidents of accidental damage from handling of your device.

Not only is Apple taking the AppleCare+ coverage to more places, but more devices as well. Today, we learn that AppleCare+ is now available for two iPod devices: the iPod touch and the iPod classic...

AppleCare+ launches in UK, France, Italy as Apple quietly jacks up incident fee to $79

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 10, 2013

If you're planning on buying a brand spanking new iPhone 5c or treat yourself to one of the colorful new plastic iPhones, you'd be wise to consider Apple's $99 AppleCare+ extended warranty coverage.

Because, for all the talk of the iPhone 5c's seamless hard-coated polycarbonate plastic shell ("you won’t see seams, or part lines, or joins,” Apple boasts; here's how it's made), the device is in fact prone to scratches and can be damaged.

The problem is, AppleCare+ is only available in the United States, Canada and Japan. Well, not anymore. Today, the extended warranty coverage is available to customers in the United Kingdom, France and Italy. Learn more just after the break...

Extended AppleCare+ warranty said to launch in Europe soon

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 29, 2016

AppleCare+, Apple's extended warranty coverage for iPhones and iPads, could soon launch across Europe, if there's merit to a report published yesterday by the French blog iGen. AppleCare+ is currently available only to customers in the United States, Canada and Japan, and can be activated in-store or online within 30 days of a device purchase.

The $99 extended coverage gives you a piece of mind by providing repair or replacement coverage, both parts and labor, from Apple-authorized technicians for AirPort wireless appliances as well as your iPhone and iPad, its battery and the included USB cable and power adapter...

Liquid damage suit members receive notice about cash payout from Apple

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Earlier this year, Apple has agreed to pay $53 million to resolve a consumer class-action lawsuit involving faulty moisture indicators in older iOS devices falsely interpreting that a device had been damaged by water, prompting Apple to unjustly deny customer warranty claims based on these defective indicators.

According to details made public on the settlement’s website, eligible customers are now being contacted via email about the class-action settlement and damages. Specifically, owners of older iPhone and iPod touch products may be entitled to a cash payment from Apple...

Apple complies with two-year warranty requirement in France, Germany and Belgium

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 12, 2013

The latest in Apple warranty shenanigans in Europe: caving in to pressure from a number of the European Union member states, the company has now updated its warranty policy in Belgium, giving all buyers two-year warranty as standard.

Remember, Apple's insistence on upselling European customers to its paid AppleCare extended coverage has failed to impress authorities in Europe, where two-year warranty is required by law.

In Italy, for example, Apple was fined $264,000 in Italy over offering only a single year of warranty as standard...

Here’s the crazy machine Apple uses to replace iPhone 5 screens

Cody Lee ∙ June 6, 2013

Last month, it was reported that Apple held a town hall meeting to discuss upcoming changes to its AppleCare service. One of the bigger changes noted was that it was going to be doing more in-store repairs on iPhones.

That change went into effect this week, as we reported on Monday that Apple is starting to repair iPhone 5 screens in store for $149. And in case you were wondering how they do it, here's a photo of the crazy machine...