Apple and Samsung Care: Are They Worth The Cost?

What are Apple and Samsung Care?

AppleCare+ and Samsung Care+ are optional services offered by Apple and Samsung for their respective devices. 

There is quite a difference between the two services. AppleCare+ is Apple's own form of product insurance, whereas Samsung Care+ is what it calls a ‘swap and refresh program’ with some extra benefits. While you don't have to opt for either service, both retailers strongly suggest customers do. 

Customers can typically expect 24/7 priority technical support, battery replacement or repair if battery performance is poor and device replacement or repair, usually for an additional cost. 

Let’s take a look at what exactly AppleCare+ and Samsung Care+ are, what they offer for customers and the costs involved.

AppleCare+ explained

AppleCare+ is a service and support product that is Apple’s own version of product ‘insurance’. It can be purchased with an Apple product for an additional cost and offers access to service and support directly from Apple’s team of experts. 

This is optional and additional to Apple’s Limited Warranty, which is included by default on all products, and is also separate to what you’ll be entitled to under Australian Consumer Law.

You can purchase AppleCare+ in Australia for a range of Apple products, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple’s AirPod range, Apple TV, HomePod and Apple Display. What is covered and other details relating to AppleCare+ will differ between the devices you are purchasing coverage for.

AppleCare+ can be purchased immediately with your new device and up to 60 days after initial purchase. This means that if you have had your Apple product any longer than this, you are unable to add AppleCare+. 

What does AppleCare+ cover?

Apple is notorious for its preference for its own services and repairs (rather than a third party), especially since iPhones tend to have more integrated hardware and software. So, it’s no surprise that AppleCare+ exists to encourage customers to stick with Apple-specific care and support.

AppleCare+ Australia offers access to the following:

• Apple-certified service and support
• 24/7 priority access to technical support 
• Unlimited coverage for accidental damage (service fees/deductibles apply)
• Battery service coverage

When it comes to repairs and incident coverage, there is, of course, a catch: you’ll be required to pay service fees for certain types of repairs. However, these fees are generally much cheaper than what you’d pay for authorised Apple repairs without AppleCare+ coverage. Repairs include fixes for damages like cracked and broken screens, liquid damage or broken back glass. 

AppleCare+ customers are able to access direct and fast customer service from Apple’s experts — whether that’s on the phone or via online chat and support hubs. Customers in most metropolitan areas may even have access to same-day service.

Another advantage of AppleCare+ is its Express Replacement Service. This means that you may be entitled to a replacement device before Apple even receives your damaged phone, often coming the next business day for metropolitan area customers. Keep in mind that you may be charged a temporary amount to your credit card while Apple waits to receive your device.

AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss

If you’re looking for coverage against accidental damage, but also want backup in case your device goes missing, you can opt for AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss for your iPhone.

AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss includes the same accidental damage coverage as standard AppleCare+, as well as up to two incidents of theft or loss every 12 months. 

Theft and Loss cover requires you to have Find My iPhone enabled at the time the device is lost/stolen and this needs to remain enabled (with your lost/stolen iPhone still associated with your Apple ID throughout the process).

How much does AppleCare+ cost?

AppleCare+ costs will vary between device types, such as iPhones and Apple Watches, and will also vary between the models.

AppleCare+ costs for iPhone

Here is how much you’ll pay for AppleCare+ and AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss for devices in the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 series:

Source: Apple, December 2025

AppleCare+ cost: replacements and repairs

AppleCare+ includes unlimited coverage for accidental damage (plus two additional incidents of loss or theft every 12 months if you have AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss). 

These services require you to pay an upfront service fee, which is an additional cost to your AppleCare+ subscription. However, battery service is included at no extra cost if your battery retains less than 80% of its original capacity.

Some of the service fees Apple lists, with how much it will cost you upfront (in addition to your AppleCare+ service), include:

• Screen or back glass damage (only available for iPhone 12 and later models): $45
• Any other accidental damage: $149
• Theft or loss (only available for customers with AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss): $229

While bundling a subscription with your upfront service fees might seem a bit steep, keep in mind that without AppleCare+, the overall cost could be much higher if you need to pay for a repair or replacement.

Samsung Care and Samsung Care+ explained

Samsung Care was a free service for Samsung product owners, which offered installation help, product health checks and repairs. However, Samsung Care was discontinued in March 2025 and is no longer available to new customers. Existing Samsung Care customers can continue to access the benefits. 

Samsung Care+ is an add-on service where you can swap out broken or damaged Samsung mobile devices for a new one, but for a fee. Customers can receive up to one service request per year with care from certified Samsung experts. Samsung Care+ is offered on a one-year or two-year basis. Here’s what you can expect from your Samsung Care+ benefits:

• Swap: Samsung Care+’s Swap feature allows customers to trade in their device, regardless of condition, and swap it for a newly refurbished one. This comes with a one-time upfront fee on top of your Samsung Care+ cost. Customers can get their new device before sending in their old one to ensure plenty of time to transfer your data. Your old device must be sent back within 14 days. 
• Mobile Refresh: This service allows customers to keep their device working at its full capacity. Samsung can replace or clean the screen, replace the battery, provide a detailed device clean or perform diagnostic testing for a one-time fee on top of your Samsung Care+ payment.

Customers on the one-year program can receive up to one of these services per year, and customers on the two-year program can receive up to two of these services. 

How much does Samsung Care+ cost?

The prices for subscriptions are as follows for the eligible devices in the Samsung Care+ range:

Source: Samsung, December 2025.

How is Samsung Care+ and AppleCare different from its Limited Warranty and Australian Consumer Law?

While Apple, Samsung and the Australian Consumer Law all provide coverage for your mobile, what is covered and for how long varies between each of the three products. The following table breaks down the differences.

Source: ACCC and respective retailer websites, December 2025.

While the above table is a guide as to what you’re covered under in the cases of damaged, faulty or broken products, there are caveats to this. Apple and Samsung have a responsibility, under Australian Consumer Law, to supply goods in a quality and workable order, along with a responsibility to repair, replace, refund or re-supply goods if it fails to meet consumer guarantee.

Australian consumer guarantee in relation to goods, means that:

• The goods will be of acceptable quality
• The goods will be fit for a particular purpose
• The goods will match their description
• The goods will match the sample or demonstration model
• You have title to the goods
• You have undisturbed possession of the goods
• There are no undisclosed securities on the goods

Are AppleCare+ and Samsung Care+ worth it?

While these services can seem expensive, especially if you’ve just spent over $1,000 on your new phone, you may find the extra cost worth it in the long run. 

For accident-prone Apple users or those who have had several instances in the past where your device has been lost or stolen, the extra security of having AppleCare+ might give you peace of mind. It’s obviously hard to predict if you’ll be in a situation where you’ll need the protection that AppleCare+ provides. If you’ve never had a phone lost, stolen or damaged, and you generally take good care of your phone, the extra cost might feel like a waste of money.

Samsung Care+ could be a great investment for those who like to maintain peak technological performance. On the one hand, we rely so heavily on technology nowadays that ensuring we are protecting our devices is crucial. However on the other hand, Samsung Care+ costs are steep, and for the careful device holder, may not actually be necessary.

Ultimately, you’ll need to decide if the extra costs and what AppleCare+ and Samsung Care+ get you will make the purchase worth it. These are additional expenses that not everyone will need or find value in — so weigh up the pros and cons before you buy.