The iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6 have the biggest screens of any iPhone, and they're bringing with them the biggest out-of-pocket replacement cost too. It's not terribly surprisingly that it could cost more to replace a high-resolution 5.5-inch or 4.7-inch phone over the smaller previous iPhones, but if you happen to break yours and need a replacement, it will cost you a pretty penny (or two).
So just how much? An iPhone 6 replacement will run up to $299, while replacing an iPhone 6 Plus hits $329. Of course, that's better than paying full retail cost for a replacement. And this is for out-of-warranty expenses, i.e. you broke it, not just something went wrong with it.
As for screen replacements, if you do have AppleCare+, Apple will charge $109 for an iPhone 6 screen replacement and $129 for the iPhone 6 Plus (strangely, the iPhone 5s, 5c, and 5 also run $129 per screen under AppleCare). If you have AppleCare+, that runs a standard $79 for the first two incidents of accidental damage, regardless of if we're talking about replacing a broken screen or replacing a demolished phone.
Our recommendation: don't drop your phone in the first place.
Source: Apple
Reader comments
Replacing an iPhone 6 Plus could cost you $329
Apple charges $109 (plus tax) to fix a broken iPhone 6 screen and $129 (plus tax) to fix a broken iPhone 6+ screen. If you can't get to an Apple store, you can mail your device in to Apple for a shipping fee of $6.95. If you purchased AppleCare+ ($99 for two years) for your device, you'll only have to pay $79 for a screen repair -- though AppleCare+ only covers two incidents of accidental damage. If you don't have Applecare+ you can choose a reliable supplier like hcqs.com.cn to buy a screen replacement and then do the repair by yourself or a repair man.
For Verizon, Asurion replaces the 16GB iPhone 6 for $169, all other models of the iPhone 6 and ALL iPhone 6 Plus models will cost $199. Asurion also covers lost and stolen, but only allows 2 incidents per 12-month period. They also charge a fee. Just over 8 bucks will get you a replacement phone, while 10 will get you an extended warranty with Verizon, as well as insurance cover.
Apple Care seems like a ripoff. My wife had the bad luck of shattering her iPhone 6 screen yesterday. We read on the Apple site that they charge $109 to replace the screen. She took it into the Apple Store today. They don't have parts yet to do screen replacements, so they replaced her phone for $109. Apple Care would have cost $99 + $79. If she cracks her screen again, it would cost $218 total for non-Apple Care and $99 + $79 + $79 ($258 total) with Apple Care for the two incidents. I guess she would have come out ahead with Apple Care if she had water damage, but most common is screen breaks. Put that $99 in an envelope and roll the dice is my recommendation.
It's not a ripoff, just because your wife was lucky enough to be clumsy with her device this early on in the release. She only got a replacement because they don't have the parts. A few months from now it will be a different story. If you're clumsy or not particularly carefully with any device that costs almost a $1000 then insurance will always be worth it.
I was considering the same. Never damaged a phone before and have used them all naked. It would essentially take 3 damaged screens to break even on AC+ vs. paying out of pocket. However, you would save money with AC+ if your phone suffered more serious hardware failures.
I purchased AppleCare+ for the first time for my iPhone 6 Plus. I'm not into the OtterBox or LifeProof things for my cellphones. I prefer a slim fitting case to keep the back from getting scratched. So there is a chance that after a drop, it'll be more than the screen that takes some damage. A small dimple in the aluminum housing would be a costly fix. iPhones hold their value. And when the day comes to sell mine on Ebay, being able to use the word "mint" goes a long way.
@StevenSaidWhat I agree 100%! No AppleCare for the iPad Air I got for my birthday last year, but yes for my iPhone 5s and most likely for my 6Plus.
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So question : why choose SquareTrade over AppleCare? They both cost $99 for two years, and cover the same thing. What's the advantage?
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ST may be a better option for those that aren't near an Apple Store. Also AC+ covers 2 repairs while ST offers 4 (I believe it's limited to the cost of the device though).
Anyone out there using securranty? No deductibles but not many examples of people going through the claims process out there.
I purchased Apple Care for the first time two years ago, when I upgraded from the 4 to the 5. It was the best $99 peace of mind I could've possibly spent. All those near misses of dropping it into the toilet (TMI perhaps?), or the cats swatting it across the room., not to mention I work in a hospital with brutally unforgiving floors. I also purchased it for the 6 Plus and 6 (for my brother) that I just purchased.
Yes, it was $99, but it also ensures that, unless I morph into the clumsiest man alive, I will have a fully functioning phone until the next upgrade cycle.
I did not, however, purchase Apple Care for my MacBook Air or iPad. Even though they too are carried with me, I'm not pulling them out of my pocket multiple times a day, and, if I were to break one, I can live easier without either of them than without a phone.
Just my two cents on $99...
Such a great recommendation.
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The iPhone 5 screen replacement is likely higher than you expect because it is a major operation to fix. You must rip everything out to get to the screen. But on the 6 the screen is the first thing to come off .
I am mistaken. I was thinking of the iPhone 4 where the back panel comes off first.
I got the apple care plus today. It's so big im scared I might drop it one day.
I went the credit card route. I should actually ask them if there's a deductible on that. It also covered against damage lost or theft for 90 days. I'm gonna probably end up getting apple care plus for the device just to protect it for when my credit card coverage expires
Shop for Apple iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 plus online. Find links offering great discounts and amazing deals on iPhone 6 only at www.freeappleiphone6.com
You're so pretty. So I'll check it out
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My suggestion?? Don't get a crApple phone in the first place. You get just as much if not more with the Samsung Galaxy S5, and you don't have to pay out the @$$ for all those services.
Yeah you get more crappy plastic.
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At least the plastic doesn't mold into a banana over time lol.
Than don't drop it!!, and buy a good case for all you butterfingers.
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I am actually thinking about picking up apple care + for the first time, I've almost dropped my 6 a couple times because it is too light for the size of the frame and tricks my brain lol.
Squaretrade was painless and fast for me I would def recommend
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I thought it was out of warranty replacement that they were the 300+ to replace the whole device.
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Whoops, you are correct. We've fixed that!
Awesome! Thanks!
What about Square Trade? Have you compared there offerings. They have received very good reviews.
Square Trade FTW
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"As for screen replacements, if you do have AppleCare+, Apple will charge $109 for an iPhone 6 screen replacement and $129 for the iPhone 6 Plus"
This is still incorrect. If you have AppleCare+, it's $79 for 2 incidents of accidental damage. Period. If you don't have AppleCare+, it's $109/$129 for display replacements and $299/$329 for full device replacements (e.g. display not replaceable or liquid damage).
For crying out loud, Derek, please proofread your article before you publish it. How hard is it to add a word "not" in your sentence? Jake is correct. Just change it already.
I think this information is incorrect. According to the website the $299 and $329 are for full phone replacements through AppleCare or the Genius Bar, the $109 and $129 are screen replacements, if you have AppleCare+ it drops those down to $79 for two incidents - just wanted to clear that up!
Source: my boyfriend works at an Apple Retail store
Bigger Money for bigger Screen!!! ;)
How much does apple care cost?
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Thanks. The article confused me about what I would pay with Apple care+.
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