AppleCare Plus Price Hike: Mac and iPad Plans Cost More
Apple is preparing to increase AppleCare Plus subscription costs for Mac and iPad owners, according to a new report. While existing customers will keep their current rates, anyone signing up fresh will notice slightly higher monthly and yearly charges.
## New Pricing for AppleCare Plus Subscribers
Apple is preparing to raise the cost of its AppleCare Plus coverage for Mac and iPad devices, according to a recent report. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says new subscribers will pay approximately $0.50 more per month or $5 more per year once the updated pricing structure takes effect. Existing customers, however, will see no change to their current subscription rates.
## What the Increase Looks Like
The shift is modest but noticeable on a monthly basis. According to Gurman, a plan for a new 13-inch MacBook Air will climb to $7.99 from $7.49 per month, or $79.99 from $74.99 on an annual basis. Similar adjustments are expected across the broader Mac and iPad lineup, though Apple has not yet published the updated pricing on its US website or in its terms of service. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
## Following the iPhone Pattern
The move mirrors a pricing adjustment Apple made last year for iPhone AppleCare Plus plans, suggesting a broader strategy of gradually increasing service subscription costs. By raising prices only for new sign-ups rather than retroactively adjusting existing customers, Apple is able to grow recurring service revenue without alienating its current installed base. That approach has become a familiar tactic across the tech industry.
## Why It Matters for Buyers
For shoppers weighing whether to bundle AppleCare Plus with a new MacBook or iPad purchase, even a small monthly increase can add up over the lifetime of a device. A $0.50 monthly bump translates to roughly $15 more over three years, the typical window before users consider upgrading. Anyone currently shopping for Apple hardware may want to lock in coverage before the new rates officially go live.
## What's Next
Until Apple formally updates its website and terms of service, the reported pricing should be treated as preliminary. Customers who already hold AppleCare Plus coverage are unaffected, and no immediate action is required on their part. Watch for an official announcement from Apple in the coming days as the rollout becomes official.
Read the full story at The Verge.
