← Back to Guides
iPhone
iPhone Warranty vs AppleCare+ 2026 — What\'s the Difference?
Standard iPhone warranty vs AppleCare+ — what\'s included and what isn\'t. Here is the deep-dive.
Warranty Quick Picks
Coverage essentials
Premium iPhone case to prevent damage
Premium iPhone case
Check Price →
Premium iPhone case
Cost Breakdown — All Options
| Where | Cost | Wait | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard warranty | 1 year manufacturer defects | FREE, automatic | No accidental damage |
| Phone Support | 90 days complimentary | Free Apple help | Limited duration |
| AppleCare+ | Extends warranty 24 months | Adds accidental damage | $199-279 |
| AppleCare+ accidents | $29 screen, $99 other | Per incident, 2/year | Massive savings |
| Battery | Both cover battery <80% | Replacement included | Same coverage |
| After AppleCare+ expires | Out-of-warranty pricing | Independent shops | Different ecosystem |
Standard 1-year warranty (free)
Every Apple device includes 1-year limited warranty FREE. Covers: manufacturer defects (battery + display + chip + camera if defective). Does NOT cover: accidental damage (drops, water, screen cracks), normal wear, software issues.90-day phone support
First 90 days after purchase: free Apple Support phone calls. Setup help, app issues, troubleshooting. After 90 days: paid support OR AppleCare+ extends free phone support.AppleCare+ extends warranty 24 months
Standard: 1 year warranty. AppleCare+: extends to 2 years TOTAL warranty. Plus: accidental damage coverage. Plus: free phone support continued. Plus: battery replacement if Maximum Capacity below 80%.Accidental damage difference
Standard warranty: NO accidental damage. AppleCare+: 2 incidents per 12 months covered with service fee ($29 screen, $99 other). This is the BIG addition with AppleCare+. Drops + spills + screen breaks = covered. Without AppleCare+: out-of-warranty pricing.Battery service inclusion
Both standard warranty + AppleCare+: battery replacement free if Maximum Capacity drops below 80% during coverage period. AppleCare+ extends this benefit to 24 months instead of 12. Battery degradation timeline: 80% typically year 2-3, AppleCare+ catches more cases.Cosmetic damage NOT covered
Standard + AppleCare+ both: scratches that don\'t affect function NOT covered. Cracked back glass usually NOT covered (Apple sometimes covers under accident — check). Modifications NOT covered. Water exposure NOT covered as warranty (but covered as accident with AppleCare+).After warranty + AppleCare+ expire
Out-of-warranty pricing applies. Apple Store: $329-429 for iPhone Pro screen, $549-729 for back glass. Independent repair shops: 30-40% cheaper for same quality. Apple\'s vintage/obsolete schedule: 5+ year old iPhones eventually unsupported.Pro tip — register your device
Apple auto-registers most devices via Apple Account. Verify: Settings → General → About → Coverage. Confirm warranty + AppleCare+ status. Important for: getting service, AASP repairs, insurance claim documentation.Mail-In Repair Service
Don't have time to wait for Apple? We offer mail-in repair with overnight return shipping.