iPhone 15/Plus AppleCare+ or best protection case with screen protector for iPhone 15 Plus?

[hajime]

Hi, how durable is the iPhone 15 Plus? In case of repairing or battery replacement, will Apple just repair the phone or swap a refurbished one? Is it recommended to get AppleCare+ or the best protection case with a screen protector or all three?

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

A case is always the best option to protect a phone and much cheaper than an additional insurance policy. No modern smartphones with glass fronts and backs are durable and the slightest drop can shatter this and cost several hundred pounds. A case has always saved my phones from drops and I’ve saved thousands not buying AppleCare over the years.

Your money though and it’s entirely up to you.

 

[hajime]

I always buy a screen protector and case for phones. With such protection, is it sill recommended to get AppleCare+? Haven't been following up with iPhone the past few years. Do recent ones have issues that will end up large repairing cost?

 

[Mike Boreham]

AppleCare + protects against accidental damage, but not if the damage is only cosmetic. It has to affect function in some way.

 

[Andeddu]

Never had AC+ and never damaged a phone. A good case and screen protector is all you need.

 

[eyoungren]

…will Apple just repair the phone or swap a refurbished one?

It depends on the damage. However, Apple does not call them refurbs. They refer to them as 'remanufactured'. You get a new casing, a new battery, new parts (for those that may have failed a quality inspection) and a new screen if warranted.

Some of my better iPhones have been the replacements rather than the originals I handed over.

 

[eyoungren]

Not tweaking anyone's noses here, but Apple itself doesn't seem to think a case is necessary…

🤷‍♂️

 

[now i see it]

If you get a case that has a finger loop on the back, you won’t need extra Apple insurance or a screen protector because it’s guaranteed you’ll never ever drop it. Impossible.

Check out Loopy Cases

 

[Shirasaki]

I just go with Applecare+, knowing I don’t need to worry about babysitting my phone and should something goes wrong internally, I can get a replacement for low cost. In fact, my recent iPad Pro replacement only cost me $100 AUD as service fee, which would otherwise cost me 10x that amount had I not have Applecare+. I only Use Magic Keyboard as my case.

At the end of the day you just spend different amount of money for different level of peace of mind.

 

[Squirrrrel]

Not tweaking anyone's noses here, but Apple itself doesn't seem to think a case is necessary…

🤷‍♂️

This is just genius marketing to get people to break their phones so Apple can make money with repairs.

 

[Badger.with.hat]

Hi, how durable is the iPhone 15 Plus? In case of repairing or battery replacement, will Apple just repair the phone or swap a refurbished one? Is it recommended to get AppleCare+ or the best protection case with a screen protector or all three?

IDK how normal it is but my bank has some kind of built-in insurance for phones, if you keep a balance of $1k they end up covering accidental damage/loss for $50 a pop, according to the sign.

Not advertising the bank, but perhaps a tip that there are some programs out there we aren't making use of that lie outside traditional insurance and applecare.

 

[James6s]

I have a 15 Plus with a AppleCare+ for that added piece of mind. I also have a case for it & matte screen protector on as cosmetic damage such as scratches aren’t covered.

I like to enjoy the phone naked at home as you can’t beat the look and feel with no case on, especially the new finish and rounded edges which make it easier to hold.

When it’s out of its case I’m just extra careful with it.

 

[eyoungren]

IDK how normal it is but my bank has some kind of built-in insurance for phones, if you keep a balance of $1k they end up covering accidental damage/loss for $50 a pop, according to the sign.

Not advertising the bank, but perhaps a tip that there are some programs out there we aren't making use of that lie outside traditional insurance and applecare.

You're right, there are other services out there. SquareTrade used to be popular around here. It functions more like traditional insurance though where you pay first and get reimbursed. uBreakiFix (a repair chain run by Asurion) runs a program similar to AC+, but not just for Apple devices.

A quick Google search revealed there are others out there as well.

 

[Isamilis]

Never had AC+ and never damaged a phone. A good case and screen protector is all you need.

Second this. Even screen protector is optional if you want best display clarity.

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

I have a case for my phone but AC+ for my iPad.

It’s primarily out of my (potentially unwarranted) worry that something might go wrong with the battery, but seeing that I travel with the iPad in my backpack, I feel it’s also more likely that my iPad will experience accidental damage than my phone.

 

[Sweet_Caroline]

I always get Apple care. The one time I didn’t, I dropped my phone and had to get a new one. I had a good case in it too.

 

[eyoungren]

I always get Apple care. The one time I didn’t, I dropped my phone and had to get a new one. I had a good case in it too.

In the few times that I have gotten AC+ I have dropped my phone and required replacement. There was only once where I didn't have it and they gave me a new phone for the price of the screen replacement (I'd cracked it).

All the other times I didn't get AC+, I didn't drop my phone.

I don't use cases.

🤷‍♂️

 

[Sweet_Caroline]

In the few times that I have gotten AC+ I have dropped my phone and required replacement. There was only once where I didn't have it and they gave me a new phone for the price of the screen replacement (I'd cracked it).

All the other times I didn't get AC+, I didn't drop my phone.

I don't use cases.

🤷‍♂️

I do a lot of outside activities and my cases take an abuse.

 

[nburwell]

Obviously, it’s really up to the OP on which option works best for them (or go with both). For me, I like having the peace of mind, especially with having two young children, of having AC+. I also have a thin case on my 15 Pro, but it has protected it from any cosmetic damage when my toddler got hold of it. I already had to replace my original 15 Pro when I dropped it on the driveway and the screen shattered. But getting an express replacement within a day from Apple is worth it.

 

[hajime]

I bought AppleCare+ for my iPad Pro 12.9". Added a screen protector, lens protector and a protective case. In 3+ years, never dropped it. Only used it at home. As I could not use it to replace a computer in my use case, I trade-in for the phone. Kind of regret getting AppleCare+ for it. As for the iPhone, it may be better to get AppleCare+ as we take them out so the risk is higher.

For my 6S Plus, I installed a screen protector and a case. Don't remember if I bought AppleCare+ for it as it was years ago. Dropped it about 10-15 times in 8-9 years. No problem. Only went to Genius Bar three times only for battery replacement related matters. However, that phone has a metal case at the back.

Do all recent iPhones including the 15 Plus have a glass panel at the back? Do they break easily? I recall reading some complaints years ago from users about the glass at the back of their new phones got cracked easily when Apple suddenly decided to use glass as the back of the phones.

 

[BenGoren]

It’s insurance.

Just as a casino always wins in the long run (barring incompetence, of course), it’s always cheaper in the long run for those who can afford to self-insure to do so.

So why is insurance a thriving industry? First, it’s essential for the overwhelming majority who can’t afford to self-insure; second, because many insurance policies provide much-appreciated services.

For example, your car insurance might provide “free” roadside assistance (meaning you don’t have to scramble to figure out which local tow companies are good choices when you’re stuck by the side of the road in a strange city); your home insurance might provide “free” locksmith services when you lock yourself out of the house; and, in Apple’s case, even if you do something stupid like drop the phone off the top of the Empire State Building while you’re trying to get that perfect shot, there’ll be an affordable replacement for you just over a mile up Fifth Avenue.

It’s that last bit that’s convincing for me. There’re all sorts of ways that bad things can happen to a phone that a case and screen protector won’t do you any good, but that AppleCare+ will.

b&

 

[zachz]

I always recommend AppleCare+ for iPhone (I get it on all my main Apple devices, just not on HomePods, AirPods, etc) plus a decent case that will protect your phone.

Even with fairly decent Tech21 cases, I’ve totally smashed the front and back of my iPhone and had Apple replace it on the spot. The one time I didn’t get AppleCare with my iPhone 13 mini, it dropped from maybe 2 feet in a case and totally broke… had to pay around $400 for the replacement plus another $200 for AC+ lol

 

[mac38728]

I have the 15 plus and have AppleCare+ on it. I have a Apple silicone case in it (so not really protective) and I’ve dropped it, accidentally thrown it onto concrete, have it fall out of my pocket while biking at 20 mph+, and each time there have been no scratches or cracks. I wouldnt recommend the Apple cases because they are not protective at all. I got mine for 20 bucks on Amazon and it does feel good. Considering how much I don’t take care of my phone I’m surprised on how much it’s held up. I upgraded from a XS Max to a 11 pro max and now the 15 plus. Both the XS and 11 both broke in otter box cases from waist height, while my 15 has gone through much more in a silicone case. I would recommend AppleCare 100% especially if you plan on keeping your phone for a long time (like me). Repairs are only $29 for a broken screen or back and if you were to break your phone just once you would pay as much or more than initially buying AC+. Get a good case, screen protectors (cheapest ones off Amazon no need for the 60 dollar ones from apple) and you’ll be all good if you take good care of your phone. AppleCare saves you money in the long run if you think you’ll break your phone even once.

 

[mac38728]

AppleCare + protects against accidental damage, but not if the damage is only cosmetic. It has to affect function in some way.

You could always just break it yourself to qualify.
i didnt tell you that

 

[Mike Boreham]

You could always just break it yourself to qualify.
i didnt tell you that

Yes, if your conscience allows, which unfortunately it will for a few people