Is the AppleCare One plan actually worth it?

Two weeks ago, Apple launched the AppleCare One subscription. It’s not meant to replace existing AppleCare+ plans for individual products, but to offer an alternative for core Apple product users.

The plan is simple: $19.99 USD/month covers 3 devices, with an additional $5.99/month for each extra device. It also includes theft/loss protection for iPads and Apple Watches — coverage not available in their individual plans.

To my surprise, while researching this article, I discovered that Apple actually offers AppleCare+ for all of its product lines currently, including Apple TV and HomePod (seriously?).

I don’t think it’s necessary to protect non-mobile products like an iMac or HomePod with AppleCare+. They’re far less likely to suffer accidental damage, and Apple’s quality control means they rarely malfunction. If you are worried about those devices, I’d suggest buying them from Costco or using a credit card with device protection benefits, which can add an extra year of warranty coverage.

Based on what’s listed on the AppleCare website, I have chosen some combinations and calculated potential prices if you are on individual subscription plans:

It’s worth noting that an annual individual subscription saves you about 17% compared to monthly payments. So, in the above scenarios, if your total is below roughly $24/month (switching to an annual subscription would lower it to about $20/month), you’re better off sticking with annual individual plans rather than moving to AppleCare One at $19.99/month.

Also, your current AppleCare+ price might be lower than what’s listed on the support page. For example, I’m currently paying $9.99/month for an iPhone 16 Pro (without theft/loss coverage), which is $4 less than the $13.99 listed online.

The list could go on, but these are some of the most common combinations. In some cases — like owning Pro models or larger-screen versions — you could save money by switching. In others, like having only entry-level devices, you might end up paying more for no real benefit.

If you’ve done the math and AppleCare One would save you money, you can head to your device settings to make the switch. But here’s the catch: not all devices are eligible. The signup page will show which ones qualify, and I assume most need to already be covered by AppleCare+ to prevent insurance abuse on already-broken devices.

In some cases, Apple has seemingly done the math for you. On my signup page, my new AirPods were eligible for individual Apple Care+, with a “RECOMMENDED” ribbon suggesting I add protection for that device.

Overall, it’s messy, and whether Apple Care One is right for you really depends on your situation. My advice: before signing up, check your current subscriptions and calculate the difference. Personally, I would stick to my individual subscription plans.

A move to secure loyal customers

A few years ago, Apple launched Apple One, claiming it would simplify the Apple subscription process. But I would argue that you might be paying for services you don't actually need, such as Apple Arcade or Apple Music.

AppleCare One is on a similar start, by streamlining the Apple Care subscription process while also providing incredible value.

Whether it’s truly money-saving is still debatable. However, I think the goal is to serve core Apple users better by providing an integrated, seamless experience across hardware, software, and services — all under an industry-leading subscription model.

It’s common for SaaS companies to offer subscriptions, but in the hardware industry, no one has consolidated their ecosystem like Apple.

• For hardware upgrades, Apple has the iPhone Upgrade Program.

• For software/content, there’s Apple One.

• For after-sales service, now there’s Apple Care One.

And if you’re an Apple Card user, you get 3% back on any of the above.

With everything synced through iCloud, users become even more deeply tied to Apple’s ecosystem. Whether your device breaks or you simply want a new one, this “triangle” of subscriptions ensures you get a replacement — often the same model or better — seamlessly.

More often than not, those loyal customers won’t be reading reviews like this, or care about a new device being a bit more expensive than last year — they’ll keep paying for the premium Apple experience as long as the ecosystem chain is still not broken, simply for peace of mind.

Apple knows the value of its loyal core users. That’s why it keeps building an even better ecosystem for them.