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Apple Initiates iPhone 5 Battery Replacement Program
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Damn my iPhone 5 is eligible for this, my battery cuts off after like 20% or 15%, does this mean they will replace my phone with a new/refurbished phone at the Apple Retail store or open up and replace the battery?
How does this work?
How does this work?
HA! I knew something was off. Went to the Apple Retail Store in Vegas back in June, they told me "nothing out of the ordinary... regular battery life for an almost 2 year old smartphone...you can replace the battery for only $80+tax though."
I told them, that it was bulls*it, because even my 4,5 year old 3gs still had better battery life.
Going to the store tomorrow.
I told them, that it was bulls*it, because even my 4,5 year old 3gs still had better battery life.
Going to the store tomorrow.
My 5 is eligible, but I bought a battery earlier this year from iFixit and replaced it myself. Should I apply for a refund?
It's interesting that people are mad that they had to get replacements themselves and that it took Apple so long to respond to this issue, and in the next breath say they are ready for the iPhone 6.
That's some loyalty there.
That's some loyalty there.
well i ended up paying for an entire brown box refurb $269 b/c i had a slew of other issues in addition to the battery problem.
i don't even know how the hell i will go about getting compensated now
Hooray!
Was wondering why my gf's phone would do that. Only happened this year however, will definitely be replacing it. Mine however was fine. Glad they are doing this, but for others who have had the problem longer, not fast on the uptake of the problem it seems Apple.
Was wondering why my gf's phone would do that. Only happened this year however, will definitely be replacing it. Mine however was fine. Glad they are doing this, but for others who have had the problem longer, not fast on the uptake of the problem it seems Apple.
So, my phone has been shutting down at 20-25% but it says my serial number isn't covered. Anyone going to try getting it replaced for free at the store? I'm selling it as soon as the 6 comes out but it's still annoying when it shuts down unexpectedly.
Sounds like there were other issues going on there.
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Well, there's a problem with some (a small percentage of) iPhone 5 phones.
Just got refunded the $79 I had already paid for the battery replacement. The site said I was either not in the eligible serial # range OR I had already had my battery replaced and to check with apple to see if I was eligible for a refund. The second option was the case for me, as I had already paid for the battery replacement out of warranty.
They at first said it wasn't eligible, but after I reiterated that the work order said the iPhone suddenly discharged and shut off, she checked again and said it was eligible for a refund. It took an hour of talking and being on hold. Not sure it was worth the effort, but good luck.
They at first said it wasn't eligible, but after I reiterated that the work order said the iPhone suddenly discharged and shut off, she checked again and said it was eligible for a refund. It took an hour of talking and being on hold. Not sure it was worth the effort, but good luck.
Apple's web site about this (linked in the article) says the following: "If your iPhone 5 is experiencing these symptoms and meets the eligibility requirements noted below, Apple will replace your iPhone 5 battery, free of charge."
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$80 for an hour (of not doing much) isn't a bad deal.
Potentially, but that might not have been related or would have solved other issues that were happening which might have still required replacing the whole phone essentially, as you did.
Easy Refund
Folks, if you bought a new battery from someplace else, you CAN get a refund if you have the receipt!!!
My iPhone 5 battery started acting up 4 months ago. 1 month ago it became unusable (lasted maybe 2 hours even on standby) so I went to a local repair shop and got a new battery. Cost was $55. I just checked and my serial number does qualify. Per the article about this today, I called Apple. I was on the phone with them for 28 minutes total. Towards the end of the call the rep had me email her a copy of my battery receipt, which I luckily still had. They will be sending a full refund via wire transfer to my checking account in 7-10 business days.
I agree they should have announced this replacement program a long time ago, but better late than never. I'll still be buying an iPhone 6 next month for sure
Folks, if you bought a new battery from someplace else, you CAN get a refund if you have the receipt!!!
My iPhone 5 battery started acting up 4 months ago. 1 month ago it became unusable (lasted maybe 2 hours even on standby) so I went to a local repair shop and got a new battery. Cost was $55. I just checked and my serial number does qualify. Per the article about this today, I called Apple. I was on the phone with them for 28 minutes total. Towards the end of the call the rep had me email her a copy of my battery receipt, which I luckily still had. They will be sending a full refund via wire transfer to my checking account in 7-10 business days.
I agree they should have announced this replacement program a long time ago, but better late than never. I'll still be buying an iPhone 6 next month for sure
Does anyone know for this kind of repair, how long is it gonna take?
I can't go without my phone and I'm planning to go to the store some time this weekend.
I can't go without my phone and I'm planning to go to the store some time this weekend.
Interesting--my phone qualifies, yet lasts the day long after my friends with NEWER Samsung phones are "hugging the wall."
...usually...
About once every two months since iOS 7 came out, my iPhone has had poor battery life (along with feeling warm) for about 3 days each in each instance. It still lasts the day but requires me (in those rare instances) to use my phone less if I want to avoid needing a charge before bedtime. I assumed it was an intermittent iOS 7 bug, and by now (it's happened maybe 6 times) I've learned that it will be back to normal in a couple days. But whatever the cause, I'll be glad for a fix!
These instances of warm phone/shorter life were much the same as if I traveled into an area with really weak/spotty cell reception, causing constant searching. Except they happened when I wasn't anywhere other than my usual haunts. EDIT: Another symptom during these times: somewhere around 10 or 15% batt, the phone would drop suddenly to zero and go to sleep—and yet even a short plug-in would restore it quickly to 30 to 50% and hours of (light) use. Calibrating wasn't the issue--this would go away along with the warming in a day or two.
So I'd say get your battery replaced before the program (eventually?) ends, even if you've seen no problem: if I'm any example, the issue can be intermittent.
...usually...
About once every two months since iOS 7 came out, my iPhone has had poor battery life (along with feeling warm) for about 3 days each in each instance. It still lasts the day but requires me (in those rare instances) to use my phone less if I want to avoid needing a charge before bedtime. I assumed it was an intermittent iOS 7 bug, and by now (it's happened maybe 6 times) I've learned that it will be back to normal in a couple days. But whatever the cause, I'll be glad for a fix!
These instances of warm phone/shorter life were much the same as if I traveled into an area with really weak/spotty cell reception, causing constant searching. Except they happened when I wasn't anywhere other than my usual haunts. EDIT: Another symptom during these times: somewhere around 10 or 15% batt, the phone would drop suddenly to zero and go to sleep—and yet even a short plug-in would restore it quickly to 30 to 50% and hours of (light) use. Calibrating wasn't the issue--this would go away along with the warming in a day or two.
So I'd say get your battery replaced before the program (eventually?) ends, even if you've seen no problem: if I'm any example, the issue can be intermittent.
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When I had mine replaced it took about 30 minutes once they took the phone. At least with the apple store by me, you can make a genius appt for a time that is earlier than when the store opens. The only people who are in there then are people with genius bar appointments and people doing training. It's a good time to go if you can get there before 10am.
That's perfect. For any users who took theirs in to a non-Apple Store service provider, did the replacement take about the same amount of time?
Nope, not in US or Canada, and I know of a serial number that is affected. I'm guessing there just isn't a system up and ready for the replacement program until that date.
I got the same message, but the message does say "EITHER", so maybe the serial number just isn't affected. I had mine replaced for an entirely new serial number at launch due to dead pixels.
My model falls within the date range, but has pretty decent battery compared to another one purchased at the same time that is affected - that one dies at around 20-30%.
Folks, if you bought a new battery from someplace else, you CAN get a refund if you have the receipt!!!
My iPhone 5 battery started acting up 4 months ago. 1 month ago it became unusable (lasted maybe 2 hours even on standby) so I went to a local repair shop and got a new battery. Cost was $55. I just checked and my serial number does qualify. Per the article about this today, I called Apple. I was on the phone with them for 28 minutes total. Towards the end of the call the rep had me email her a copy of my battery receipt, which I luckily still had. They will be sending a full refund via wire transfer to my checking account in 7-10 business days.
I agree they should have announced this replacement program a long time ago, but better late than never. I'll still be buying an iPhone 6 next month for sure
Thanks for posting this. I'll be contacting Apple soon about a refund.