AppleCare+ now covers Apple Watch batteries that retain less than 80% of their original capacity

Apple Watch battery empty

AppleCare+ protection for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch has refreshed its terms to cover batteries that retain less than 80 percent of their original capacity within the extended warranty period. The new rules apply to Apple Watch Sport, Watch and Edition models, as discovered by MacRumors.

Previously, the extended warranty used to cover Apple Watch batteries that retained less than 50 percent of their original capacity. Apple officially guarantees the Apple Watch battery will retain up to 80 percent of its original capacity at 1,000 complete charge cycles. Assuming an average of one full charge cycle per day, the specification gives the device’s battery a lifespan of about two-and-a-half to three years.

According to the AppleCare+ Terms and Conditions in the United States and Canada, users who notice that their Apple Watch battery capacity has fallen below eighty percent of its original specifications during the extended warranty period can contact the company.

Apple will either repair the defect at no charge or exchange the device “with a replacement product that is new or equivalent to new in performance and reliability.”

For the entry-level aluminum Apple Watch Sport, the AppleCare+ coverage costs $49. The mid-tier stainless steel Apple Watch commands a cost of $59 for the extended AppleCare+ coverage, while owners of the gold Edition models will need to fork out a whopping $1,500.

These plans include up to two incidents of accidental damage from handling and cover the battery, the included magnetic charging cable and power adapter, as well as a few other perks.

AppleCare+ plans for the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Sport extend their coverage to two years from the original purchase date, or to three years in the case of Apple Watch Edition.

In addition, Apple charges a per-incident fee: $69 for the Apple Watch Sport, $79 for the Apple Watch and an eye-watering $1,000 for the Apple Watch Edition.

Also available: AppleCare+ combo plans for Apple Watch Sport and iPhone for $149, Apple Watch and iPhone for $169 and Apple Watch Edition and iPhone for $1,600.

Standard protection for Apple’s mobile devices includes a limited one-year warranty and 90 days of complimentary phone support.

Source: MacRumors