Cost of out-of-warranty Apple Watch Sport repairs drops to $199

As of this week, the Apple Watch is not only cheaper to buy, but also to repair in the event that it's broken without an AppleCare+ warranty, with a new cost of $199 per incident.

Previously, it cost $229 to repair the Apple Watch Sport when the unit is out of warranty. Battery service for an out-of-warranty unit runs $79.

Repair pricing is unchanged for repairs of the stainless steel Apple Watch ($329) and the gold Apple Watch Edition ($2,800). The warranty cost changes were spotlighted on Friday by MacRumors.

U.S. AppleCare+ warranty plans are typically $49 for the Sport, $59 for the mid-tier Watch, and $1,500 for the Edition. Apple also sells plans that cover both a Watch and an iPhone, which are priced at $149, $169, and $1,600 depending on the model.

The combo plans can apply to undamaged iPhones up to six months old, whereas a regular AppleCare+ iPhone plan forces buyers to pick up coverage within 60 days.

The Sport and steel Watch AppleCare+ plans extend warranties to two years, while the Edition plan extends coverage to three. These also sharply reduce the cost of accidental damage, lowering service fees to $69, $79, or $1,000, depending on the model. AppleCare+ subscribers can also get Express Replacement at no extra charge — Apple will send a package to return the original Watch, and ship out a replacement unit in two to three business days.

18 Comments

lmagoo 49 comments · 9 Years

About 8 years ago

It kills me how Apple can be so greedy!! Really it costs NO DIFFERENCE to work on a Aluminum watch Stainless or pure Gold...Why should the case material determine the repair costs are??? Because they can and people are stupid enough to pay them!!!!

larrya 608 comments · 13 Years

lmagoo said:

It kills me how Apple can be so greedy!! Really it costs NO DIFFERENCE to work on a Aluminum watch Stainless or pure Gold...Why should the case material determine the repair costs are??? Because they can and people are stupid enough to pay them!!!!

While I generally agree with you on the greed, isn't the case covered for repair?

dreyfus2 1069 comments · 17 Years

lmagoo said:

It kills me how Apple can be so greedy!! Really it costs NO DIFFERENCE to work on a Aluminum watch Stainless or pure Gold...Why should the case material determine the repair costs are??? Because they can and people are stupid enough to pay them!!!!

Most of these repairs are actually replacements for items damaged by the user, Care+ is a mix of insurance and warranty extension. And the insurance part is calculated based on the item price. Pretty normal. And in many parts of the world, those with mandatory 24 months implied warranty, you really do not need either unless you damage things all the time.

abedoss 14 comments · 10 Years

I think price drops in current gen Watch and warranty means Watch 2 is comming soon.

dbloodgd 1 comment · 8 Years

329.00 is a brutal insult to fix something that is a widespread problem I got along without my watch for 50 years. "Watch" me get along with out it now rather than submit to your price gouging despicable greed.