Apple iPod Battery Replacement Now Only $59

[Lancetx]

I did a forum search and didn't see this mentioned here yet, so I thought I'd post the information. Apparently the price quietly changed very recently...

http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/service/battery/

[noel4r]

It was $99 before, right? Not bad, my iPod's battery is still doing good so I'll keep this is mind.

[AliensAreFuzzy]

Wow, I was just looking at it two days ago and it was still $99

[zelmo]

That's a much friendlier price point. Good catch!

[michaelrjohnson]

That's great news for people who need replacements.

I suppose, now this actually gives services like iPodRestore a bit of a run for their money. (Though it all depends how long you plan on keeping your iPod)

[mrzeve]

Your article says they offer users who bought iPods $50 certificates. But they also offer either a replacment iPod or a replacement battery.

[yellow5]

Now I guess there is no need to purchase the Protection Plan since the battery replacement program is only $2 more. Unless you really care about the phone support.

[xli_ne]

Originally Posted by yellow5

Now I guess there is no need to purchase the Protection Plan since the battery replacement program is only $2 more. Unless you really care about the phone support.

doesn't it cover it if the HDD fails as well?

[Sharewaredemon]

Originally Posted by xli_ne

doesn't it cover it if the HDD fails as well?

Yeah it does, and that's why I needed to get two iPods replaced, I didn't have anything wrong with the battery ever.

[dontmatter]

nice, nice. Good news, no doubt.

That said.... apple keeps cutting prices, particularly on the profitable ipods. And, it seems the cheaper ipods are doing much better than the large ones. I wonder what wednesday's numbers will be?

[solvs]

Originally Posted by yellow5

Now I guess there is no need to purchase the Protection Plan since the battery replacement program is only $2 more. Unless you really care about the phone support.

I wouldn't get Apple's plan anyway. A company called Mack (ironically enough) sells extended warranties for things like portable mp3 players, as well as camera and other electronics. You can get it at a pretty decent price at places like B&H Photo Video. It's longer than Apple's plan too, since it adds 3 years on top of what Apple offers standard (90 day phone, 1 year hardware).

[~Shard~]

A much nicer price point, thanks Apple. Luckily, my 3G iPod is over a year old now and I honestly have noticed zero degredation in the battery life, and I get pretty much 8 hours use out of it.

[Xtremehkr]

$59 is still not exactly a deal for a battery. If my iPod battery dies anytime soon I am going to be seriously disappointed. I have talked to plenty of people at the Genius Bar though and it seems that people rarely have to pay to replace the battery since it is supposed to last the lifetime of the product.

[pubwvj]

This is a HUGE reason I don't want an iPod.
They are very nice MP3 players but I don't want to be stuck
with Apple's non-user-changeable battery. I have had a Nomad
MP3 player for a long time (5 years?) and I use rechargeable
batteries in it. The base station for it recharges the batteries,
or I can simply swap in a new set which were charged in my
dedicated battery charger. It uses the same AAA batteries used
in my clock, in my timer, in my Handspring PDA, three other
MP3 players (All from Creative Labs) we have in the family, etc.
This makes it easy and simple. It also avoids Apple's outragiously
expensive battery change. For $59 I can buy a _LOT_ of AAA
rechargeable batteries of the highest grade.

Apple needs to use standard batteries and let users change them
easily themselves (yes, I know how to crack the case - not easy).

[admanimal]

I am unclear about something: is the replacement iPod they give you of the same model or the latest model. I.e., if I send in my 20GB 3G, will I get a 3G replacement or a 4G (or whatever G the new 20G color one is)?

[ham_man]

This definately a good thing, as I am in the market for a new battery, because the one on my 3rd generation seems just about shot and I have been looking at getting a new batterty. However, a 60 gig iPod is looking mighty tempting right about now. Decisions, decisions...

[michaelb]

http://www.apple.com/au/support/ipod...e/battery.html

The price in Australia is $147.40 AUD.

(I don't know if that has changed because until this story I didn't know it existed.)

Adding GST to the converted US price suggests it should be closer to $89 AUD, or at least under $100.

<cough>ripoff</cough>

[advocate]

Originally Posted by pubwvj

Apple needs to use standard batteries and let users change them easily themselves (yes, I know how to crack the case - not easy).

Um, what standard size rechargeable battery is smaller than an iPod mini?

[Plecky]

I personally have no problem with apple using li-ion batteries, but I do agree they should try to redesign upcoming generations of the iPod with easy user-changable batteries, if they can do it on their laptops, I don't see why they can't on their ipods. I could even care less about paying 40-50 bucks for a spare, just so long that I don't have to send it into Apple and wait 1-3 weeks for them to change it, or use method that wouldn't be extremly easy for me to use to change the battery in my mini. I can easily change the battery on apple's laptops, if they made smaller batteries for their small digital music players - even with decreased life, the option to carry 2 could easily increase battery. Not only would this help to change a depreciated/dead battery easily yourself, but if you wanted to carry a spare - also easily done. That was one of the factors that HEAVILY had me considoring a zen micro or something else then a iPod mini, but I figured 18+ non-removable battery would cut it and i wanted the itunes compatibility. That being said, I'd love to be able to carry a spare ipod mini battery that i could change easily myself whenever. I carry a spare for my laptop just incase, why can't i carry a spare for my ipod as well? If they can incorporate it into their laptops, I dare them to incorporate them into their music players too! No wait, I DOUBLE dare them like mark summers and the physical challenge

[froggy]

...where apple is charging $151.59 based upon todays exchange rate!

It would seem that Applpe deems all people outside the US as complete idiots, and likes ripping them off.
Upon asking them why they charged more in Europe for all their products, even though they are made inn Ireland, the answer was because less people purchased Apple products.... hhmmm I wonder why?

[Doctor Q]

Originally Posted by froggy

...where apple is charging $151.59 based upon todays exchange rate!

It would seem that Applpe deems all people outside the US as complete idiots, and likes ripping them off.
Upon asking them why they charged more in Europe for all their products, even though they are made inn Ireland, the answer was because less people purchased Apple products.... hhmmm I wonder why?

I'd be annoyed for the higher prices too, but wouldn't you assume that Apple, like any other business, wants to optimize sales, subject to customer demand, economies of scale, and competition? Supply and demand probably have more to do with prices than a "rip off" mentality.

Edit: semi-related news story

[ham_man]

On the subject of iPod battery replacements, I just got an interesting letter from Apple. It is offering a free battery replacement or a $50 Apple Store gift card as the result of a cass action lawsuit, if my battery only runs for under 4 hours (which it does). Just curious, but have first, second or third genners recieved this notice?

[froggy]

Originally Posted by Doctor Q

I'd be annoyed for the higher prices too, but wouldn't you assume that Apple, like any other business, wants to optimize sales, subject to customer demand, economies of scale, and competition?

You have a point, but this is not a sale, this is Customer satisfaction (after sales) I've already purchased the iPod, and the difference between here, and say South Africa, is indeed that the machine meant for Europe, are built in Ireland! And repaired in Ireland, we also pay much more for iTunes tracks in the UK, the reason quoted for this was tax.
If the internet is to survive and work as it was supposed to do, then a slightly more "Global" approach might be needed by the various companies that use and make millions of dollars from these internet outlets.
For example, why can't you purchase a track from a German store if your regsitered in the UK? Or for that matter buy a track from the US store, after all you can access them, what's the point of that?
Sorry I understand that there are certain economic "bottom lines" that need to be met, but there is also a LOT of short sightness upon many of the comapnies that operate today, but on this particular forum the company we talk about is Apple.
I for one, would like to see some data on how much is kit is sold in the various countries and how much those individual countries pay above the dollar rate, this would clear things up once and for all.

[crackrock]

Originally Posted by froggy

...where apple is charging $151.59 based upon todays exchange rate!

Eh... huh? Looks like with todays exchange rate it's only 33 L's.

[tny]

Originally Posted by crackrock

Eh... huh? Looks like with todays exchange rate it's only 33 L's.

Go to the UK Apple Store, look at the price in pounds sterling, and convert that to dollars. Though I can't get the UK Store (from the US), I'm getting the "be right back" message. Is something up today?