AppleCare+ is an extended warranty service provided by Apple, designed to provide comprehensive coverage and support for their products. This service goes beyond simple repairs and technical assistance, as it also offers replacements for instances of battery degradation. However, you may wonder how many times you can take advantage of this replacement benefit within the AppleCare+ program. In the following article, we will explore this topic and provide you with the information you need.
How does AppleCare+ work?
To fully understand how the AppleCare+ extended warranty plan works, particularly in relation to batteries, it’s important to consider the specifics. Apple determines that a battery should be replaced when its capacity falls below 80% of its original capacity. If any device’s battery falls below this threshold, Apple provides a free battery replacement. However, it’s crucial to be aware of the time limit for purchasing this service.
For iPhones and iPads, the coverage under AppleCare+ lasts for two years, while for Macs and Apple Watches, it extends to three years. Within this coverage period, you can have the battery replaced as many times as necessary, as long as the aforementioned conditions are met. However, once the AppleCare+ coverage expires, you’ll be responsible for any service or repair charges, including battery replacements.
Furthermore, if the battery exhibits symptoms such as swelling or a noticeable decline in performance, even if its autonomy remains adequate, Apple will also replace the battery free of charge. This replacement can be done multiple times as needed.
Is it common for Apple to replace your battery?
The answer to this question largely depends on how you use your device. However, in general terms, it is uncommon for most users to consume 20% of the charge cycle capacity within the two or three-year coverage period of Apple’s extended warranty.
Apple designs its device batteries to have a long lifespan and to maintain at least 80% of their original capacity throughout a significant number of charge cycles. For instance, iPhones are engineered to retain up to 80% capacity after approximately 500 full charge cycles, while MacBooks can retain this capacity after around 1,000 charge cycles.
These numbers are impressive, and it would require intensive and careless use to exceed the mentioned threshold. With regular usage, the normal battery deterioration for an iPhone is typically between 2-3% per year, which is quite low. MacBooks also have optimized charging systems and software features to protect and prolong battery life.
In conclusion, AppleCare+ is an exceptional service that enhances the user experience and provides coverage for various hardware issues. We always recommend purchasing it, including the free battery replacement option, even if you may not end up using it. Without this plan, any hardware repairs would be significantly more expensive to cover.
