Apple Addresses Alleged Throttling of iPhones With Degraded Batteries

[Mal Blackadder]

Best customer experience: Make you think your phone is too slow so you buy a new one. How about a message on the screen informing the customer that the phone is throttling back to avoid battery failure. "You should consider a new battery from your nearest Apple Store. Would you like to have Siri create an appointment for you?"

This is the perfect solution from the customers perspective, But I think Apple would prefer the profits from selling a new phone rather than the profit from replacing the battery for you.

Conspiracy theorists may wonder if Apple offered Futuremark some sort of inducement to produce the report a few months ago https://www.macrumors.com/2017/10/06/apple-doesnt-deliberately-slow-older-iphones/ but as we know they would not do that, but some people might think it.

 

[ArneK]

Why are you struggling with this concept?

If the phone shuts down randomly, you're mad.

If you have to replace the battery, you're mad.

If you have to buy a new phone, you're mad.

If Apple adds power management to prevent this, you're mad because a benchmark that artificially triggers a throttle down makes performance less.

Come on over to Android. I had this EXACT problem with my Note, and guess what? No update from Samsung. Phone shut itself off constantly. In fact, in 3 years of ownership, I NEVER received an update from Samsung. Ever. Same OS as it shipped with originally.

You'll say Apple should make better batteries. Well, we aren't there yet. This IS an issue with lithium ion batteries and until that changes, this is the next best solution. At least Apple supports their older devices to give them a better experience. The throttle down in performance is probably not even noticeable unless it's very heavy workload, like a benchmark.

That is not true. No other iPhone than the 6/6s had this issue. Also the 7 seems not to be affected. Sounds more like a rather specific technical issue with the batteries in these. But instead of fixing the hardware issue Apple chose to hide it with software by basically not delivering the promised specs. It sure sounds a lot like what Volkswagen did. You want to have a clean but also efficient car? Thats what they promised, turns out they choose efficiency over cleanliness. Later they "fixed" it with a software update reducing the efficiency. However thats not what they sold. Hence, the huge fine.

If Apple would have sold these iPhones as 800mHz chip phones and I bought it like that ok; however I paid them a lot of money for an almost 2GHz phone. Would you also find it ok if you pay $100/month for your DSL with advertised 50mbits and 100% availability but then the company tells you that they can only give you half of that if you want to keep the 100% availability? Obviously, you wouldn't get a discount because you bought the contract already...

 

[MH01]

Alternate reality headline:

Greedy Apple displays popups scaring users into buying expensive battery replacements, rage ensues.

Alternate reality headline :

Kind Apple slows down iPhones to forgo $79 battery purchare, to get $999 from the user , excuses ensure

 

[Hustler1337]

Why are you struggling with this concept?

If the phone shuts down randomly, you're mad.

If you have to replace the battery, you're mad.

Personally, I'd rather have #1 than #2. That way, I'd know it's an issue with the battery.

Is it that hard for Apple to warn users that their batteries are falling to sh*t and that they advise a replacement? Instead they chose to stay silent, letting users think there's nothing wrong with their batteries, meanwhile letting users get frustrated to the point of insanity and convincing many that they need a new phone.

 

[I7guy]

I smell a class action lawsuit coming from this. Apple not informing the customers of this is wrong.

Nah, won’t go anywhere, IMO.

 

[pat500000]

Oh, this narrative again? Some people do not want to spend $ unnecessarily on a new upgrade. The 6 can make calls, send messages, web browse, download apps, take photos, record video, provide music and video playback, offer GPS services, etc. If someone can get 6 to work well in 2017 for them, why should they spend $350 or $400 to get the iPhone 7? Not everyone upgrades frequently as some of us do. I am not getting a 2018 iPhone myself included if this issue occurs next year.

If it’s basic use, why not get iphone 3g?

 

[Zaft]

They can't do this, because it's them admitting they're using crappy batteries. They're hoping people won't notice or just buy new phones.

Thats most likely why, but I dont think they are using crappy batteries. The batteries degrade naturally anyway.

 

[Act3]

I guess now it's official, the lifespan of iPhones is exactly one year, until the new iOS comes out.

it is anyone's guess on when apple will put the code in for this "feature" for the 8's and X's. Maybe iOS 12.2?

Maybe the 8+ will be running faster than the X in a year due to bigger battery.

 

[thadoggfather]

7 just got the clamp with 11.2 “enabling the feature”

Unless you got old inventory, you get to look forward to your 7 aging not like a fine wine and slowing down in year 2 as a real possibility even if u never update iOS and get a newer whole version with new features that slow it down even more. Coupled with not much love since I hear 7 is kinda messy on iOS 11 for no reason.

Wooohooooo

 

[I7guy]

As did mine. The problem is that it took Apple quite some to admit fault, I bought the apple battery case , and in time Apple replaced my battery . Definitely not kudos , if you were like me caught up in this early in the cycle .

For me the entire process took two hours from calling Apple, to going to the Apple store and getting back to the office. It took the genius 10 minutes to diagnose the issue (whatever it was). Maybe it was lucky for me but I walked away satisfied.

 

[Sparky2012]

Now that they have admitted that they throttle iPhone performance, I'd like to know specifically when - Does the throttling begin at 100 full cycles? Do I have to worry that for e.g an iPhone 7 that is like 6 months old is throttling its performance despite no noticeable battery degradation? We need answers! Or.... just make this throttling optional.

At least before this, if an iPhone shut off randomly we could almost definitely say we needed a new battery. Now people may not notice the battery going bad because performance is being reduced instead, yes keeping the iPhone working but worse and worse, and eventually getting Apple an upgrade as most people won't think a battery is causing slow performance and so will upgrade.

I've never accused Apple of planned obsolescence, just thought it was more features getting added in new iOS versions which naturally make it harder to run on older hardware, thus slowing down. Now, that may still happen, but we now have intentional performance throttling in the mix too. I'm honestly a bit annoyed by this. I really do think this is a money grab to get people to upgrade their phone. It can be spun different ways of course, but that's my opinion.

 

[Mal Blackadder]

If you are already out of warranty, why take it to Apple in the first place? It will always be more expensive with Apple.

For the peace of mind to know you are using Apple authorised genuine parts I guess.

 

[itguy06]

Best customer experience: Make you think your phone is too slow so you buy a new one. How about a message on the screen informing the customer that the phone is throttling back to avoid battery failure. "You should consider a new battery from your nearest Apple Store. Would you like to have Siri create an appointment for you?"

I think that would be the best. Or at least a warning once a day that your battery is toast, throttle to save it or full speed but your phone may reboot at random.

 

[daniesy]

it is anyone's guess on when apple will put the code in for this "feature" for the 8's and X's. Maybe iOS 12.2?

Maybe the 8+ will be running faster than the X in a year due to bigger battery.

My iPhone 7+ is already affected and i bought it in late January.

 

[nviz22]

I won't replace a 1000 eur device after just 3 years of usage. Americans are really economically weird x_X

Which model cost you 1000 euros? 6+ with max storage (128gb)? I see the iPhone 8 regular is 799 euros. So it must be an upgraded option? 8 plus starts at 909 euros. 1,149 for the X 64gb model as well.

I think since America gets a lot of aggressive pricing strategies, such as BOGO deals; they're more likely to ditch phones quicker than other markets.

But your point still stands. If I drop $1000 on the iPhone X, I am not going to upgrade to another $1000 phone even if I sold it for $700 next august since that's another $300 out of pocket on top of what I get from the sale.

 

[ani4ani]

This analogy is nowhere applicable. Apple Keeping an iPhone online as long as possible has nothing to do with killing off the after-refill cottage industry.

Oh come on, Apple are not keeping your phone going as long as possible, they are keeping you from making a warranty claim as long as possible, that is, until you can’t

 

[daniesy]

Thats most likely why, but I dont think they are using crappy batteries. The batteries degrade naturally anyway.

This fast?...Should they last at least 2-3 years?

 

[Zaft]

My iPhone 7+ is already affected and i bought it in late January.

How much battery capacity do you have left?

 

[6803390]

Holy moly! What’s with the moaning from both sides of perspective? It’s a phone....but maybe it’s time to get updated phone?

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/sale-of-goods-act

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ng-complaints-official-guarantee-expires.html

https://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/

The above shows Under consumer laws in the UK, consumers are entitled to a free of charge repair or replacement, discount or refund by the seller, of defective goods or goods which do not conform with the contract of sale. For goods purchased in England or Wales, these rights expire six years from delivery of the goods.

If they do that, I’ll seek advise.

 

[nt5672]

I prefer the option to undo Apple's throttling. If my phone has unexpected shut downs then I know to replace the battery. I prefer performance over battery life; I can replace batteries but I can not do much about performance. Perhaps Apple was trying to save people with this power management scheme, but they actually made matters worse. They could have taken ownership of the problem and said Iphone owners have two options, a software patch that allows the user to activate the new power management software with the resultant hit to performance or replace the battery. Hiding the problem was a betrayal.

Apple has always been into hiding problems. Apple thinks they are 100x smarter than you. Until everyone gets on their case, and proves Apple wrong, they are right.

 

[Zaft]

This fast?...Should they last at least 2-3 years?

True, I would like to know when this throttling kicks in.

 

[nviz22]

If it’s basic use, why not get iphone 3g?

An iPhone 3G doesn't offer FaceTime, which is a major every-day accessible feature. Most ubiquitous smartphones for sale offer a front facing camera and video chat. This isn't a hair splitting feature.

 

[sdwaltz]

BEYOND logical explanation, really.

New battery (probably needed by the time this begins to happen anyway) and you're good-to-go.

 

[pat500000]

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/sale-of-goods-act

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ng-complaints-official-guarantee-expires.html

https://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/

The above shows Under consumer laws in the UK, consumers are entitled to a free of charge repair or replacement, discount or refund by the seller, of defective goods or goods which do not conform with the contract of sale. For goods purchased in England or Wales, these rights expire six years from delivery of the goods.

If they do that, I’ll seek advise.

Then apple should follow the UK law.

 

[daniesy]

How much battery capacity do you have left?

I have 96,6%...lol
[doublepost=1513805436][/doublepost]

Then apple should follow the UK law.

they should pay taxes also )

 

[pat500000]

An iPhone 3G doesn't offer FaceTime, which is a major every-day accessible feature. Most ubiquitous smartphones for sale offer a front facing camera and video chat. This isn't a hair splitting feature.

You mentioned basic needs. Point being: apple gives you an opportunity to replace...so that’s fine, but is moaning requires? Just do it.