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bogiebogi... bogiebogi...
 
M$1 December 20, 2008 12:05 AM

Is it a good idea to purchase AppleCare for an iPhone? What is the failure rate after the first year?

Thanks for all the answers so far, I appreciate the feedback. To give you more context, I typically have a phone for more than 1 year (more like 2 years) and if this was a laptop I'd definitely buy AppleCare. But since it's a phone and probably won't last for more than 2 years, I'm hesitant to pay $69 for limited coverage for one year, unless of course the iPhones were known to die after the first year.
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sistersadi... sistersadi...
 
 December 20, 2008 12:51 AM
YES YES YES Purchase AppleCare for your iPhone. While the iPhone is by far the best phone out there (in my opinion at least), I'm on my 3rd one. If there are issues with a software update and it affects your phones ability to function properly, you will be covered. It's not like regular cell phones where it's a pretty simple restart and fix since it is synced with your computer.

The home button tends to go bad, since it's only one of two buttons on the phone, as well as some software issues that can pop up during updates. With AppleCare you can easily take it to your local Apple store and they will fix you up in a jiff, not to mention Apple has great customer support.

As for the cutting edge technology, it really isn't anymore, it's rather common technology, and it's rather stable. But as with any software it has it's glitches from time to time. This phone has been on the market for well over a year and a half and nothing has even come close to surpassing it's usability and design.

I bought the extended warranty and I couldn't be happier. It's well worth it.


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mskadu mskadu
 
December 20, 2008 12:06 AM
I wouldnt if I were you. But that depends on whether you intend to keep the iPhone for over a year. Perhaps by then something better might have come up.

If you intend to keep it that long, then it might be well worth it. I have quite a few friends who's AppleCare is earning its value.

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fireawayph... fireawayph...
 
December 20, 2008 12:08 AM
I just recently purchased my first iPhone, but all my other Apple products, iPods, Macbook, AppleTV have needed repairs after the warranty expired. I highly recommend purchasing the Apple care plan.

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bjdraw bjdraw
 
December 20, 2008 12:10 AM
To me it was really about how long I would have the iPhone.

You have until the initial warranty is out to purchase Apple Care, so it's no rush. As a result by the time I needed to buy Apple Care on my first iPhone I found out that the 3g was being released, so I upgraded instead.

At the same time, Apple Care is transferable, so if you plan to give away your old iPhone or sell it on eBay it might increase it's resale value.

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toddgilmor... toddgilmor...
 
December 20, 2008 12:11 AM
Having sold phones for years, I would never suggest buying any insurance. Take care of your equipment and when you do, accept the consequences. If something fails, consider it R&D and you are just doing your part; otherwise, don't use technology.

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cprocjr cprocjr
 
December 20, 2008 12:13 AM
I would recommend by applecare. I have 2 friends with iPhones and they both failed within the first year.

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kren2000 kren2000
 
December 20, 2008 12:14 AM
Unfortunately AppleCare doesn't cover accidental damage or loss, which is the prime cause of iPhone failure. It only extends the warrantee.

AppleCare is useful in one instance -- when the headphone jack gets "worn out" by too many tugs on it. They do replace the unit then. But otherwise, you pretty much get blamed for it not working.

Remember that the iPhone is solid-state, no moving parts to break -- unless you drop it! Which isn't covered.
Source(s):
My experience.


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belleg belleg
 
December 20, 2008 12:17 AM
I would not recommend buying additional insurance. iPhone is a cuting edge technology and it is just that. One year later there will be many other devices that are more advanced and more appealing so you can just upgrade if your iPhone fails.
Source(s):
Experience


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brendan09 brendan09
 
December 20, 2008 12:20 AM
Yes, very good idea. However, you can purchase the additional AppleCare for the same price up until your original 1 year AppleCare expires. The failure rate is really low, I've had bad luck and had mine replaced 7 or 8 times. However, if yours lasts without issue up until the end of the original year, you may not want to purchase the extension.

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pacothepar... pacothepar...
 
December 20, 2008 12:56 AM
I'd purchase it because even if your phone is replaced during the 1 year warranty period, the replacement phone can fail after another 6 months to a year.

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nmwillia nmwillia
 
December 20, 2008 01:13 AM
I always purchase the additional insurance on any apple product. They're so expensive to replace, and unless you keep a phone from AT&T from 2 years, you have to pay extra for an upgrade. I tend to think of my i-phone more like an i-pod than a phone, and I went through 4 of those (got free apple care replacements from all of them). Some of the damage was probably due to rough handling, but the guys at the apple store would basically plug it in, and if it didn't work, they would hand me a new box and send me on my way.

As to the issue of the solid state drive, sure there aren't any moving parts to worry about breaking, but how are you going to feel when your iphone hard drive just crashes one day? Get the insurance.

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uclabruin4... uclabruin4...
 
December 20, 2008 06:25 AM
Just exchange the phone before your year is up and you will get a new one-year warranty.
Source(s):
I did it.


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benau benau
 
December 20, 2008 07:34 AM
Resale value. If you buy Apple Care just before your 1 year warranty is up you can sell your phone with a 3 year warranty and get a really great resale value:

(A) Cost of phone minus 20% for 1 year depreciation

plus

(B) Cost of 3 year Apple Care

Some buyers don't care whether or not they have the latest technology. From their perspective they are paying 20% less than a new iPhone and covering your costs for an amazing (transferable) 3 year warranty.

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