Apple Watch Ultra repairs could be ultra-expensive without AppleCare

On Wednesday, Apple launched the Apple Watch Ultra, a $799 wearable meant for folks partaking in excessive actions like climbing mountains, operating ultra-marathons, or diving. However as MacRumors factors out, breaking its display screen, button, sensors, or different numerous components whereas doing any of those actions could be very costly: repairs for the watch will price $499 in case you don’t have AppleCare Plus (we’ll get to that in a minute), in accordance with an estimate instrument on Apple’s web site. That’s considerably greater than the $299 restore for an entry-level Collection 8.

Getting the battery changed on an Ultra may also price greater than it might for Apple’s much less excessive watches, coming in at $99 as a substitute of $79. That does make some sense; the Ultra probably has a a lot greater battery than the Collection 8, provided that Apple estimates it’ll final twice as lengthy.

Whereas I do get that it’s all the time enjoyable to poke enjoyable at Apple’s typically out-there pricing — I nonetheless typically have a giggle at the $19 microfiber sharpening fabric — I do considerably perceive why the Ultra’s repairs will price a lot. Apple Watches are typically tiny and glued collectively, and neither of these elements makes for straightforward repairs. That roughly leaves Apple with two choices whenever you ship it your damaged watch; it might simply recycle it and ship you a refurbished one, or it might rent people with severe expertise to really restore it. Neither of these choices is precisely low cost.

Truthful or not, the Ultra’s excessive restore worth isn’t distinctive. Apple estimates you’d must pay the identical $499 to get a Titanium Collection 7 Version repaired, which tracks provided that the Ultra is comprised of the identical materials. (A footnote does say that transport is free for Apple Watch Editions, the place it’s a must to pay for it in any other case. Apple didn’t instantly reply to The Verge’s request for touch upon whether or not it’d cowl transport for the Ultra too.) These aren’t even the costliest repairs, although; in case you break your ceramic Collection 5, you could be out $800 in order for you it mounted without AppleCare Plus.

Talking of AppleCare, although, that’s actually the answer right here. Apple’s safety plan for the Ultra is $100 upfront (or $4.99 a month), and that’ll knock repairs right down to a way more manageable $79. In case you get your Ultra repaired even as soon as — and let’s face it in case you’re one of many “out of doors adventurers” Apple’s advertising the watch to, you’ll most likely must sooner or later — you’ll come out means forward with AppleCare. Plus, Apple simply made it so the coverage covers limitless repairs as a substitute of simply two a yr, which is a boon for individuals who’ll be pushing themselves and their gear to its limits.