In addition to jacking up prices of its AppleCare+ extended hardware coverage for the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus by an extra $30, Apple appears to have discontinued the combined AppleCare+ warranty for the iPhone and Apple Watch, as first noted by 9to5Mac.
Following April 2015 debut of the Apple Watch, the Cupertino firm introduced combo warranty plans for iPhones that are up to six months old and Apple Watches for combined prices of $149 (Apple Watch Sport +Â iPhone), $169 (Apple Watch +Â iPhone) and $1,600 (Apple Watch Edition +Â iPhone).
Those plans are no longer offered through the Apple Online Store.
The report doesn’t state whether Apple might re-introduce these combo AppleCare+ packages at increased prices.
At any rate, it’s a shame Apple killed those plans as they allowed customers who are buying both an iPhone and an Apple Watch to protect their devices on a single plan.
“The combined packages did not bring any discount or value over purchasing the plans separately, so the discontinuation of the program does not come as a major change for consumers,” notes the publication.
Folks who have already purchased the combined plans will not be affected through their deals.
Apple has also raised prices of AppleCare+ protection plan for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus following the announcement of the new phones from $99 to $129.
iPhones come with standard one-year warranty and AppleCare+ provides an additional two years of hardware repair coverage and complimentary phone support while adding up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage.
A per-incident deductible fee of $79 is imposed on top of the initial AppleCare+ signup fee so you’re looking at the maximum out of pocket cost of $327 in the case of two incidents.
AppleCare+ debuted in 2011 with the $99 signup fee and a mere $49 per-incident fee.
Here’s a breakdown of how the fees have risen over the years:
2011
- Initial fee: $99
- Per-accident fee (deductible): $49
- Out of pocket maximum: $197
2013
- Initial fee: $99
- Per accident fee (deductible): $79
- Out of pocket maximum: $257
2015
- Initial fee: $129
- Per accident fee (deductible): $99
- Out of pocket maximum: $327
Keep in mind that standard AppleCare+ coverage for the iPhone must be purchased within 60 days of buying a iPhone.
Source: 9to5Mac