I’ve used iPhones for 18 years and never bought AppleCare. Now I’m leaning towards getting AppleCare+ for my iPhone Duo.
The Duo is the most expensive phone I’ve bought, at about S$3,400. It also feels more fragile to me than my previous iPhones. There’s the folding screen and hinge, but there’s also the weight. I worry that the heavy phone might be easier for me to drop.
I don’t use a case, either. I even had a nightmare about dropping the Duo. That’s probably a sign I’ve been thinking about this a little too much.
What a repair could cost
AppleCare+ for the iPhone Duo costs S$499 for 2 years in Singapore. It includes unlimited repairs for accidental damage such as drops and spills, but each repair has a service fee.
Here’s how Apple’s repair estimates compare with the AppleCare+ service fees for the Duo:
| Damage | Without coverage | AppleCare+ fee |
|---|---|---|
| Inner display cover layer only | S$69 | S$29 |
| Inner display | S$1,549 | S$148 |
| Outer display | S$575 | S$42 |
| Back glass | S$279 | S$42 |
| Other damage | S$2,319 | S$148 |
For one inner display accident, the plan and repair would cost S$647 in total, S$902 less than the uncovered estimate. For one outer display repair, the total is S$541, only S$34 less. If I don’t need a repair, I’d be S$499 better off without the plan.
These are estimates, and Apple inspects the phone before confirming the repair and fee. I couldn’t find a separate price for the hinge, so I’m not going to assume what a damaged one would cost.
Paying for the risk
The standard 1-year warranty already covers manufacturing defects. AppleCare+ adds accidental damage protection, extends hardware coverage and includes battery replacement if capacity falls below 80%. It’s the accident cover that matters most to me.
I can buy AppleCare+ within 60 days of buying the phone. Since I already have the Duo, coverage starts when I buy the plan, not when the enrollment window ends. Waiting gives me a later start, but any accident before I buy it won’t be covered.
I don’t expect insurance to save me money every time. I’m looking at it because one bad drop could leave me with a repair bill that’s hard to ignore. On a phone I use without a case, S$499 is starting to feel like a sensible price for 2 years of protection.
I haven’t bought it yet. But after 18 years, I think this might be the iPhone that changes my mind.