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Break your HomeView? it might be simpler to buy a new one.
Photo: Apple

Apple HomeView’s repair cost without AppleCare+ is $279, just $20 shy of buying a brand-new unit.

With AppleCare+, the fee drops dramatically to just $39. That gap makes repair coverage a tempting add-on for the $299 smart home hub, which Apple introduced on Tuesday.

HomeView repair cost is a whopping $279

As with any device, the HomeView could become damaged during everyday use. The wall-mounted model might get knocked off its bracket during cleaning or while moving furniture.

The tabletop version could get knocked off a kitchen counter if bumped or if a child yanks on its power cable. A drink spilled nearby could seep into the HomeView’s speakers or a dropped object could crack the device’s 7-inch square display.

Apple envisions HomeView owners placing the new smart home hub in the kitchen, on a nightstand or in a living room — all places where accidents could happen in the course of day-to-day life.

• See also: Apple wants HomeView at the heart of your smart home

Apple’s service and repair page lists an out-of-warranty estimate for HomeView under a single category: “Other damage.” The same $279 repair fee for uninsured devices applies to both the standard and the wall-mounted HomeView models.

There’s no separate price for a cracked screen or a dead speaker. This means Apple probably swaps the whole unit instead of replacing damaged parts. 

Apple notes that the figure is an estimate. Technicians will first inspect the device to set the final fee. Tax will apply, and a shipping fee could be added if the device needs to be shipped.

AppleCare+ coverage brings the fee down to just $39

Accidental damage service costs $39 with AppleCare+, no matter which HomeView model you own. Apple’s page says it includes unlimited repairs for drops and spills.

AppleCare+ for HomeView costs $24.99 a year in the United States. This means a year of coverage plus a $39 claim comes to about $64.

• See also: Apple HomeView: 7 features and catches worth knowing