This week, Apple raised the monthly prices for its AppleCare+ subscription plans for iPhones by 50 cents across all models in the United States. For example, the price of the standard AppleCare+ plan for the iPhone 16 models is now $10.49 per month, up from the previous $9.99. This increase applies to all available AppleCare+ options, including the standard plan and the Theft and Loss plan. The price hike is specifically for monthly subscriptions, not the two-year plans or the service fees and deductibles, which remain unchanged.
The price increase is part of a broader shift by Apple to move toward subscription-based models for its AppleCare+ plans. Starting this week, the company is phasing out one-time purchase options for AppleCare+ in its retail stores. Customers purchasing products in Apple Stores will only be able to choose between monthly or annual subscription options, which renew automatically. This change aims to ensure continuous coverage for customers while providing Apple with ongoing revenue beyond the initial two-year period.
While the price increase affects iPhone AppleCare+ plans, there has been no change to the pricing of AppleCare+ for other devices, including the iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. These plans continue to remain unaffected by the price change and still follow the previous pricing structure. Apple’s move to shift towards subscription services reflects the company’s strategy of encouraging longer-term customer relationships through continuous coverage and recurring revenue streams.
Despite the changes in retail store options, Apple is keeping the one-time purchase option for AppleCare+ available in its online store for now. Customers who prefer a non-renewing plan with a set two-year expiration can still opt for that option when shopping online. This offers flexibility for those who do not want to commit to ongoing subscription payments.