Apple unveiled a new version of AppleCare for iPhone Tuesday called AppleCare+. Like its predecessor, AppleCare, the new extended warranty adds one year of support for your iPhone (for a total of two years), but the “+” version includes up to two incidents of accidental damage, the first time that Apple has offered such protection on its smartphone.
This added coverage comes at a price, US$30 to be precise, as AppleCare+ is priced at $99, and the original $69 AppleCare for iPhone is no longer available. In addition, each incident of accidental damage to your iPhone is subject to a $49 service fee.
There is also currently a new stipulation that AppleCare+, “must be purchased together with new covered equipment.” Heretofore, customers could add AppleCare coverage to their iPhones up until the last day of the original one year of warranty coverage.
Apple’s description:
Every iPhone comes with one year of hardware repair coverage and 90 days of telephone technical support. AppleCare+ for iPhone extends repair coverage and technical support to two years from the original purchase date of your iPhone and adds coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage due to handling, each subject to a $49 service fee.1 With AppleCare+ for iPhone, Apple experts can help troubleshoot issues over the phone or at an Apple Retail Store. They’ll answer questions about iOS, Apple iPhone apps such as Mail, iMessage, and Calendar, and help you solve interconnectivity issues between your iPhone and Mac or PC. And if your iPhone needs service under the plan, Apple technical support representatives can even set up a repair during the same call.
iPhone 4S becomes available for pre-order on October 7th, but AppleCare+ is listed on the online Apple Store now.
Plain ol’ AppleCare is still available for the rest of Apple’s product line.