The Most Painful Part of Breaking Apple’s New $299 HomeView Might Be Realizing You Could Buy Another One for Just $20 More

Apple’s new HomeView costs $299, but accidentally damaging it could leave you with a repair bill almost as expensive as buying another one.

Apple has confirmed that accidental damage repairs cost $279 without AppleCare+, just $20 less than the price of a brand-new HomeView. With AppleCare+, the repair fee drops to $39.

The same charges apply to both the tabletop and wall-mounted versions of Apple’s new smart home display.

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AppleCare+ makes a big difference, but it isn’t free

AppleCare+ for HomeView costs $2.49 per month or $24.99 annually in the United States. Owners can also add the device to an existing AppleCare One plan, which starts at $19.99 per month for multiple Apple products.

For someone who pays annually, a single accidental damage claim during the first year would cost $64 in total, including the $24.99 subscription and $39 service fee.

That’s considerably less than the $279 Apple charges without coverage.

But insurance isn’t automatically the better deal for everyone. Someone who keeps HomeView in a relatively safe location and never needs a repair could end up paying years of premiums without using the coverage.

And because Apple’s uncovered repair fee is so close to the device’s retail price, owners without AppleCare+ may find it more sensible to purchase a replacement rather than pay $279 to service a damaged unit.

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HomeView’s placement could make repairs a concern

Unlike an Apple TV tucked away in an entertainment center, HomeView is designed to sit where people regularly interact with it.

The tabletop model features a 7-inch Liquid Retina display mounted on a speaker base, making kitchen counters and other shared surfaces natural places to use it.

That also puts the device within reach of children, pets, and the occasional kitchen accident.

The wall-mounted version may be less likely to be knocked over, though its screen can still be damaged.

Both versions include an A18 chip, Siri AI, and facial recognition that personalizes the display for different household members.

HomeView is available for preorder at $299, with deliveries beginning November 13.