You just dropped $1,200 on a brand new iPhone 17 Pro. The salesperson asks if you want AppleCare+, and suddenly you're doing mental math at the speed of light. Is it a scam? Is it a lifesaver? Honestly, the answer depends entirely on whether you're the type of person who treats their phone like a delicate heirloom or someone who accidentally flings it across the parking lot once a month.
In 2026, the question of how much does applecare cost has gotten a little more complicated. Apple recently shook things up with "AppleCare One," a subscription bundle that covers multiple devices. It’s no longer just a flat fee you pay once and forget about.
The Basic Math: Breaking Down the 2026 Pricing
If you’re just looking for a single device, AppleCare+ usually follows a "good, better, best" tier system based on how expensive the gadget was to build.
iPhone Coverage
For the latest iPhone 17 lineup, you’re looking at a few different paths.
- iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max: These will set you back about $13.99 a month or a one-time payment of roughly $269 for two years.
- iPhone 17 and iPhone Air: Expect to pay around $11.99 monthly or $199 upfront.
- iPhone 16e (the budget pick): This stays lower at $7.99 a month or $149 for the two-year plan.
If you want the Theft and Loss protection—which, let's be real, is the only reason some people sleep at night—add about $2 to $3 extra to those monthly figures.
MacBooks and iPads
Macs are a different beast. Because a screen repair on a MacBook Pro can cost more than a used car, the insurance isn't cheap.
- MacBook Pro: Usually runs around $149 to $159 per year (Apple has largely moved away from the "fixed 3-year" blocks for Pros, preferring annual renewals).
- MacBook Air: Considerably cheaper at roughly $69 to $79 per year.
- iPad Pro: About $10.99 a month.
The "AppleCare One" Curveball
This is the big change for 2026. Apple realized most of us own a "set"—a phone, a watch, and maybe a laptop or tablet. Instead of paying four separate bills, they launched AppleCare One.
It costs $19.99 per month.
For that twenty-spot, you can cover up to three devices. Any three. You could have an iPhone 17 Pro Max, a 13-inch iPad Pro, and an Apple Watch Ultra 3 all under one umbrella. If you have a fourth device, you can tack it on for an extra $5.99.
The math here is actually pretty decent if you own high-end gear. If you’re only protecting a base-model iPhone and some $299 SE watch? You’re probably overpaying. It’s all about the "MSRP risk" you're carrying in your pocket.
Those Sneaky Deductibles
Buying the plan doesn't mean repairs are free. It just means they aren't "cry into your pillow" expensive.
If you crack your iPhone screen, you’re still handing over $29. If you drop your MacBook and the logic board fries, you’re looking at $299. Compare that to the $800+ out-of-warranty cost for a Mac repair, and the "cost" starts to look more like a discount.
Specific 2026 service fees:
- iPhone Screen/Back Glass: $29
- Any other iPhone damage: $99
- iPad Screen: $29
- Apple Watch (Standard): $69
- Apple Watch Ultra: $79
- Theft/Loss replacement: $149 (iPhone) or $129 (iPad)
Is It Actually Worth It?
I’ve seen people on Reddit argue about this for a decade. One group swears they’ve saved thousands. The other says they’ve never broken a phone in 15 years and consider it a "clumsy tax."
👉 See also: Modern Main Battle Tanks: Why the Heavy Metal Era Isn't Over Yet
Expert consensus (and common sense) says you should buy AppleCare+ if:
- You go "naked": If you hate cases, just buy the plan. One drop on a sidewalk and your "aesthetic" choice becomes a $500 mistake.
- The "Financial Shock" Test: If your phone broke tomorrow, could you drop $1,100 on a new one without sweating? If the answer is no, pay the $13 monthly premium.
- Battery Health: Apple replaces your battery for $0 if it drops below 80% capacity while covered. For heavy users, this pays for itself by year two.
Don't Forget the 60-Day Window
You can't wait until you drop your phone to buy insurance. Apple gives you 60 days from the date of purchase to opt-in. They’ll run a remote diagnostic (essentially a software check to make sure the screen isn't already shattered) before they let you buy it through the Settings app.
Actionable Next Steps
Before you click "buy" on that protection plan, do these three things:
- Check your credit card benefits. High-end cards like the Amex Platinum or certain Chase cards offer "Cell Phone Protection" if you pay your monthly bill with the card. It usually has a $50 deductible and covers theft or damage. It’s effectively free AppleCare.
- Audit your devices. If you have more than two "Pro" or "Ultra" level devices, cancel your individual plans and switch to AppleCare One to save roughly $10–$15 a month.
- Look at your history. Open your "Settings > General > About" on your current phone. If you see "Coverage Expired" and the phone is pristine, you might be a candidate for "self-insuring" (putting that $14/month into a high-yield savings account instead).
If you decide to go for it, the monthly subscription is almost always better than the two-year upfront cost because it keeps the coverage active indefinitely—long after the initial two years are up.