AppleCare+ became available for the first time 15 years ago today, on October 14, 2011, alongside the iPhone 4S, ten days after its announcement. It built on the previous $69 AppleCare Protection Plan in the United States, which extended hardware repair coverage and technical support to two years but excluded accidental damage.
AppleCare+ cost $99 and kept that two-year term while adding coverage for two accidental damage incidents, each carrying a $49 service fee. It covered damage from drops and liquid contact but excluded theft and loss.
The program has drawn praise from longtime users. One reader says the coverage has proven its value over the years, extending the Apple Store's service well beyond the standard first year and continuing indefinitely. Because they don't use cases, they rely on the plan for protection against accidental damage.
The reader also points to battery replacement as a key benefit. When a battery drops below 85% capacity or a component needs replacing, Apple often swaps the device for a new one, and a True Depth component failure on an iPhone 12 Pro was handled the same way.
Source: MacRumors · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing