When you buy an Apple product, you may have already noticed that you 1 year limited warranty have. This read you, among other things, back on the Apple websitebut also the warranty status of, among other things, an iPhone or Mac. What exactly is this like?
In the European Union, consumers are entitled to a legal warranty of at least two years on new products they purchase. This is regulated in an EU directive that applies in all Member States. So why does Apple only offer a one-year warranty on its products? We list the details for you and explain Apple’s warranty policy, legal warranty and Dutch consumer law and what this means for consumers.
Apple’s one-year limited warranty
Apple offers a one-year limited manufacturer’s warranty on all Apple products worldwide, from iPhones to MacBooks. This warranty is a voluntary commercial warranty provided by Apple as the manufacturer and has a specific purpose: to provide globally consistent service to Apple customers.
The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship arising under normal use according to Apple’s specifications for one year from the original date of purchase. This means that defective buttons, screen flickering, battery problems due to manufacturing defects and other hardware problems not caused by the user are covered by the warranty.
What is covered?
Apple’s limited warranty only covers defects in materials and workmanship that occur under normal use, a brief overview below;
- Material and manufacturing defects during normal use
- Hardware defects such as broken buttons or screen flickering
- Battery problems due to manufacturing defects
This means that the cases below: not are covered:
- Damage due to falls, bumps or water damage
- Cosmetic damage such as scratches and dents
- Normal wear and tear of batteries and other consumables
- Damage due to incorrect use or modifications
- Repairs by unauthorized service providers
Apple as a point of contact
As a customer, you have a limited warranty from Apple for the first year after purchasing a new Apple product. During this period you can contact Apple directly if you experience a problem with your Apple product. It does not matter where you bought your device. This is worldwide coverage, but it is recommended that you consult Apple Support in the country of purchase. You will also receive free telephone technical support for the first ninety days.
European Legal Guarantee
The legal guarantee in the European Union means that consumers have at least have a two-year warranty on new products they buy. This is regulated in an EU directive that applies in all Member States. During this warranty period the seller is responsible if the product does not work as expected, for example if it does not correspond to the description, is not suitable for normal use, no longer functions properly or does not provide the expected quality.
If a problem occurs within this period, the consumer is entitled to repair, replacement, price reduction or cancellation of the purchase. The consumer must report the defect to the consumer within a reasonable period of time after discovery, usually within two months selling party.
Importantly, the seller bears the burden of proving that the product was in good condition upon delivery for the full two years; that is a recent innovation in favor of consumers. The exact details may differ slightly per country, but the minimum duration and rights are the same throughout the EU.
Who is responsible?
Have you purchased an Apple product? Then you can contact two parties in the first year. The EU always recommends the selling party but because Apple offers a limited warranty for the first year, you can also contact them.
- First year: You can choose between Apple’s warranty or statutory warranty. Apple usually handles both, but can also refer you to the seller.
- After the first year: For legal warranty must you back to the seller where you purchased the product – this could be MediaMarkt, Coolblue, Amac, Bol.com or another retailer. The seller is then responsible for the handling, not Apple directly.
Do you have one? purchased the product in the (Online) Apple Shop? Then Apple is the seller and they are obliged to provide the statutory two-year warranty, even for products that are not from Apple.
If the seller has gone bankrupt, you can usually no longer claim the contractual or legal guarantee from that seller, because the company no longer exists and the bankruptcy is being settled by a curator. Sometimes another party takes over the warranty or you can still contact the manufacturer.
Dutch consumer legislation
more rights than Apple offers
Have you purchased a product in the Netherlands? Then as a Dutch consumer you often have more rights than Apple offers. Dutch consumer law offers consumers legal guarantees that often takes longer than Apple’s own warranty.
Unlike many other countries There is no fixed legal warranty period in the Netherlands. Instead, the principle applies that a product should last as long as can reasonably be expected. For expensive electronics such as iPhones and MacBooks this often means more than two years, sometimes even up to six, eight or ten years for durable devices.
The expected lifespan and therefore the legal warranty period depends on various factors:
- Price of the product: You can expect an expensive MacBook Pro to last longer than cheaper alternatives
- Brand and quality: Apple’s premium positioning creates higher expectations
- Type of product: Smartphones have different expectations than desktops
- Promises in marketing: If Apple claims that a product will receive updates for years, this should be expected
As a Dutch consumer you are entitled to a good product and in some cases the warranty period is longer than two years. More information can be found on the government website and Consuwijzer.
AppleCare+
Finally, you can also extend Apple’s limited warranty to a full package with AppleCare+, which is best seen as insurance for your Apple products that you take out per product within 60 days of purchase.
AppleCare+ is an extended warranty that you can purchase from Apple to extend and expand the standard one-year manufacturer’s warranty. In addition to extra warranty, it also offers coverage for damage that you cause yourself, such as fall or moisture damage, where repairs are made at a reduced deductible. You also get telephone support for the entire term, instead of the standard 90 days, and there is often coverage for accessories such as earplugs and adapters.
An additional option within AppleCare+ is additional insurance against loss and theft, which is especially useful for expensive devices such as the iPhone. AppleCare+ offers worldwide service, which means you can go to any Apple Service Point, regardless of where you purchased the product. It is especially attractive for users who want extra security in addition to the legal warranty, and for those who use their device intensively and are at risk of damage from accidental accidents.