Starting July 24, Apple customers in the U.S. can consolidate device protection under a single subscription with AppleCare One. For $19.99 per month, the plan covers up to three Apple products, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and displays with unlimited accident repairs, 24/7 priority support, and expanded theft/loss protection. Each additional device costs $5.99/month.
Breaking Down the Plan
AppleCare One merges all benefits of individual AppleCare+ plans into a streamlined offering:
Theft and loss coverage now extends to iPad and Apple Watch, previously exclusive to iPhone.
Unlimited accidental damage repairs (e.g., cracked screens, liquid damage) and battery service if capacity falls below 80%.
Device flexibility: Users can swap covered products anytime and add devices up to four years old (with a diagnostic check for “good condition”). Headphones must be under one year old.
Automatic upgrades: When trading in a covered device through Apple, the new device replaces it in the plan.
According to Apple VP Bob Borchers, the plan delivers “simplicity and exceptional value” for multi-device households.
Savings and Strategic Shifts
Apple claims customers covering an iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch save $11/month versus separate AppleCare+ plans. However, savings vary by device tier:
High-end devices (e.g., iPhone Pro, Vision Pro, iPad Pro) yield significant savings; individual plans could cost ~$47.47/month for three premium products versus AppleCare One’s flat $19.99.
Budget devices (e.g., base iPhone, AirPods, MacBook Air) see modest savings of as little as $0.25/month.
Tech analyst Ben Wood notes, “This isn’t just about repairs; it’s a loyalty play. Locking users into Apple’s ecosystem with one manageable subscription reduces churn and boosts Services revenue”. Apple’s Services segment hit $96.1 billion in 2024, making it the company’s second-largest division after iPhone.
Limitations and Considerations
US-exclusive launch (no international rollout timeline confirmed).
Deductibles apply: Theft/loss claims incur fees (up to three total claims/year for iPhone/iPad/Apple Watch).
Eligibility: Only devices linked to a user’s Apple Account qualify. Older devices require diagnostics via iPhone, iPad, or Apple Store verification.
AppleCare One reflects a broader shift toward bundled services (e.g., Apple One), targeting customers who retain devices longer. By covering older products, Apple taps into its 1.8 billion active device install base, many holding iPhones beyond three years. As TechCrunch notes, this could offset potential revenue losses if Google’s search default payments to Apple (worth $20 billion/year) dissolve amid antitrust rulings.
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