Apple has increased its monthly AppleCare+ subscription prices for all iPhone models by 50 cents while simultaneously phasing out one-time purchase options at retail stores, marking a significant shift in how the company offers device protection plans.
Why it matters: The changes fundamentally alter how customers can protect their iPhones, pushing them toward recurring subscriptions rather than traditional upfront payments while increasing the cost of monthly coverage.
Price Changes: The monthly price increases affect all iPhone models in the United States, with varying impacts across the product line:
- iPhone 16 Pro now costs $13.99 monthly
- Standard iPhone 16 rises to $10.49 monthly
- iPhone SE increases to $7.99 monthly
Mark Gurman, Bloomberg Reporter: “A notable change coming to AppleCare+ next week: Apple is dropping the 2-3 year pay in advance option at physical retail stores and on devices and will only offer monthly and annual subscriptions. You’ll still be able to get those multi-year plans on the online store.”
Purchase Options: Apple has implemented major changes to how customers can buy coverage, significantly limiting traditional payment methods:
- Retail stores offer only subscriptions
- Online store retains upfront payment option
- Annual subscriptions provide 17% savings
Looking Forward: While the price increase only affects iPhone coverage for now, Apple has not raised prices for iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch AppleCare+ plans, though similar changes could follow.
