Apple Makes $29 Battery Replacements Available Immediately for iPhone 6 and Newer

[Klyster]

That is deflecting , I feel bad for pixel and note 8 users, their woes does not make this issue okay for us Apple iPhone owners

Nothing to do with grass is greener ! How about just ownership of the issue at hand ?

Don't feel bad, I own a Note 8.
If I encounter the zero charge issue, my phone gets replaced.
(I cant remember the last time I had less than 10 battery on my phone but hey, it might happen)
There will no doubt be a fix for it when they figure it out.
They (Samsung) aren't trying to force me to upgrade.
It's no big deal for the time being.

 

[Sevanw]

I’m not deflecting anything. There are issues with some Note 8 batteries. But hey if you think the grass is greener in Android land go buy a Pixel or a Galaxy. Nobody is personally forced to own an Apple product.

And there you go again, still trying to conflate and deflect. The Note 8 issue will be resolved, meanwhile, of those affected, nobody had to go buy a new device to resolve their issue. Aren't you ashamed and embarrassed to defend such a dirty move by Apple. There's not a doubt in my mind you would still recommend the iPhone to family and friends without even a mention of this dirty practice by Apple. Anything to protect Apple's reputation. Still waiting for a response by you from my last post.

 

[doelcm82]

Moments like these and I remember just how much cash Apple has on hand, and how tempting it would be to use said cash to pay for comments like these. Not that they would do anything like that of course, and not that your comment was paid for, but it makes one wonder.

It would be interesting if most of the comments here were paid for by Apple and and Samsung.

 

[gnipgnop]

Aren't you ashamed and embarrassed to defend such a dirty move by Apple.

What dirty move? Here's the chain of events...

iPhone 6S launches
Apple starts seeing a higher than normal amount of complaints about auto shutdowns
Apple determines that the majority of complaints are the result of defective batteries in a specific serial number range
Apple starts a free battery replacement program for those serial numbers
Apple also adds a software feature to iOS that helps to limit auto shutdowns

Seems like a fairly normal process for addressing customer complaints. Could you point out which part of that is "dirty"?

 

[kemal]

Apple are loosing money at $29.

 

[Tor Eckman]

I totally agree. Any company that keeps phones from shutting down by throttling performance should definitely pollute the environment as much as possible. It's the only logical way to do business.

Even if that were the case, which I highly doubt, do you suppose apple could have just let everyone know that their batteries just needed to be replaced rather than buying a new phone? Could Apple have made power management (crippling) a user controlled option instead of forcing it on everyone?

 

[tylerthomas28]

So generous of Apple to offer a solution that just makes them more money . Here’s to hoping the lawsuits being filed keep being pursued.

 

[r.harris1]

The level of debate here is at the level of "you're a paid Apple shill" or "you're a paid <Fill-in-Android-vendor> shill" and "so's your mom". Why is that? Is that really interesting? When you drop out the "villagers with pitchforks" threads, there isn't really anything that's all that interesting here (to me). All I know is that there was an Apple power management release a year ago whose stated intent was to reduce shutdowns.

Combine that with the people who think there's planned obsolescence built in to every Apple product and whammo - this firestorm.

The power management release appears that it is a rather brute force step function approach and poorly designed mechanism to do so - so much so that if this is a conspiracy theory to get people to update their devices, it's one of the poorest implemented ones I've ever seen. At least Volkswagen actually tried to hide theirs. Quite honestly, even if it's a conspiracy theory to avoid recalls, it's a rather school-boy approach since any school boy can fire up geek bench to get some numbers.

Most of my experience with power management is on Linux, with some in Android so I at least have some sense of how CPU power is regulated in those environments. Android's PM is closely related to Linux with hooks added for more mobile device specific stuff. And battery management is a huge concern and a tricky problem on a mobile device and everyone tries to figure out the right balance of powering down, suspending or otherwise managing power draw, especially as the capacity drains. All mobile device manufacturers have an approach to it and do it, albeit differently, and everyone has ways they power down or suspend components. No device runs 100% all the time. Apple's approach lacks finesse, for sure and throttling as first step (seemingly) seems somewhat extreme.

So definitely a PR issue, but to me, sounds like something that can be knocked out in software. I'd change the battery policy if I were Apple, certainly for the 6/6S, maybe all models for grins. Don't send people away without a new battery if they want one. And in software, just give people a "wings stay on, wings fall off" button similar to low power mode and be done with it.

 

[Tor Eckman]

What dirty move? Here's the chain of events...

iPhone 6S launches
Apple starts seeing a higher than normal amount of complaints about auto shutdowns
Apple determines that the majority of complaints are the result of defective batteries in a specific serial number range
Apple starts a free battery replacement program for those serial numbers
Apple also adds a software feature to iOS that helps to limit auto shutdowns

Seems like a fairly normal process for addressing customer complaints. Could you point out which part of that is "dirty"?

Think about it, how many people bought a new iPhone because their current model became too slow, not knowing that a simple battery replacement could have solved the issue? And it wasn't just a limited range of iphone 6s models.

https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/20/16800058/apple-iphone-slow-fix-battery-life-capacity

"Some Reddit users report that replacing their batteries has returned performance and CPU clock speeds back to normal. The reports are particularly troubling because any perceived slowdowns by iPhone users might tempt owners to upgrade their entire device instead of replace the battery. “This fix will also cause users to think, 'my phone is slow so I should replace it' not, 'my phone is slow so I should replace its battery,’” says Geekbench’s John Poole."


Geekbench developer John Poole has mapped out performance for the iPhone 6S and iPhone 7 over time, and has come to the conclusion that Apple’s iOS 10.2.1 and 11.2.0 updates introduce this throttling for different devices. iOS 10.2.1 is particularly relevant, as this update was designed to reduce random shutdown issues for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S. Apple’s fix appears to be throttling the CPU to prevent the phone from randomly shutting down. Geekbench reports that iOS 11.2.0 introduces similar throttling for iPhone 7 units with older batteries."


"It’s also clear that Apple, which makes its devices hard to open and repair, could do a better job helping consumers understand the benefits of battery replacement. That’s something the company seems less inclined to do when it might mean forgoing the sale of a new iPhone every 12 to 24 months."

 

[justperry]

Apple are loosing money at $29.

Battery cost probably less than $5, so that leaves $24 for labor costs/builing costs/electricity and water....., think that should do.

 

[MH01]

What dirty move? Here's the chain of events...

iPhone 6S launches
Apple starts seeing a higher than normal amount of complaints about auto shutdowns
Apple determines that the majority of complaints are the result of defective batteries in a specific serial number range
Apple starts a free battery replacement program for those serial numbers
Apple also adds a software feature to iOS that helps to limit auto shutdowns

Seems like a fairly normal process for addressing customer complaints. Could you point out which part of that is "dirty"?

That's not facts , that's your interpretation, hope you understand the difference. Legally you interpretation means nothing .

What do you call them not disclosing the throttling ? Let me rephrase.... why did apple apologise ?
[doublepost=1514756091][/doublepost]

So generous of Apple to offer a solution that just makes them more money . Here’s to hoping the lawsuits being filed keep being pursued.

Worse is if they are allowed to continue, others can copy this and the consumer gets screwed going forward .
[doublepost=1514756368][/doublepost]Irrespective on which side of this debate you are on , Happy new year to you !!! Have a great one!!! Cya in 2018!!!

 

[bmark]

I took my iPhone 6 Plus to Best Buy and they ran their tests and said my battery was fine. Lmao, my iPhone is throttled like crap. Then they don’t have the sku’s for the battery replacements at $29. Geek squad agent said they might have it in place by the middle or end of Janaury. So I need to setup another genius bar appointment at an apple store. Amazing waste of my time, thanks Apple!!

 

[rootee]

Did you ever check your serial number against the 6S batches that were known to have defective batteries? Apple had a replacement program for that.
[doublepost=1514750587][/doublepost]

Your question was: "what phone isn't able to operate regardless of charge".
The answer: depends on what you define as "operate". Turn on? Edit 4K video? Lots of different possibilities.

i just looked up the iphones that were part of the "bad batch": hmm, interestingly ... it says 1st through last because iOS shall throttle all phones at some point in their short but glorious phone-lives

 

[gnipgnop]

Think about it, how many people bought a new iPhone because their current model became too slow, not knowing that a simple battery replacement could have solved the issue? And it wasn't just a limited range of iphone 6s models.

First of all, Apple does say what they consider the EOL for the battery to be: 80% capacity, which is pretty standard for lithium ion batteries of any type. Does every customer know that? No, but you can't claim it's something Apple is hiding from them. The information on that is available. People in these threads constantly quote capacity numbers they're getting from from apps on their phones etc. as well.

As for the limited range, yes, it is factually true that the majority of people complaining about auto shutdowns after the 6S launch had 6S phones in that range. That doesn't mean those were the only people who could experience one, but a defective battery is going to make it much, much more likely. Thus the unusual amount of complaints that launched the investigation by Apple and ultimately the free battery replacement + software tweak.

"Some Reddit users report that replacing their batteries has returned performance and CPU clock speeds back to normal. The reports are particularly troubling because any perceived slowdowns by iPhone users might tempt owners to upgrade their entire device instead of replace the battery. “This fix will also cause users to think, 'my phone is slow so I should replace it' not, 'my phone is slow so I should replace its battery,’” says Geekbench’s John Poole."

The software feature Apple added monitors for big peaks/valleys in power draw. Those are what can potentially cause auto shutdown when voltage is too low. Geekbench benchmarking itself can trigger the throttling, so a lot of people that think "I ran Geekbench and the numbers were too low" aren't really seeing an accurate picture of what iOS is actually doing for apps that don't intentionally load the CPU to it's maximum.

https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/20/a...ones-with-older-batteries-are-running-slower/

From the article: Remember, benchmarks, which are artificial tests of a system’s performance levels, will look like peaks and valleys to the system, which will then trigger this effect. In other words, you’re always going to be triggering this when you run a benchmark, but you definitely will not always trigger this effect when you’re using your iPhone like normal.

 

[justperry]

So generous of Apple to offer a solution that just makes them more money . Here’s to hoping the lawsuits being filed keep being pursued.

Apple won't make nor loose much on offering these replacement batteries.

 

[kstotlani]

On this topic; I called about my iPhone 6Plus and the Genius over the phone did a diagnostic and I was informed that my battery was I good shape and therefore did not qualify for the USD29 battery price.

Was your phone slow? If yes this is just retarded response. I have visited stores so many times including in 3 countries. I cannot believe how Apple operates with battery replacement.

 

[deferredAnon]

I took my iPhone 6 Plus to Best Buy and they ran their tests and said my battery was fine. Lmao, my iPhone is throttled like crap. Then they don’t have the sku’s for the battery replacements at $29. Geek squad agent said they might have it in place by the middle or end of Janaury. So I need to setup another genius bar appointment at an apple store. Amazing waste of my time, thanks Apple!!

This is the problem Apple has now. Everyone with slow phones will believe they have been throttled purposely by Apple. Mainly because they have, but also because they have newer forms of iOS which slows down their phones. Apple is responsible for both of these reasons.

 

[gnipgnop]

That's not facts , that's your interpretation, hope you understand the difference. Legally you interpretation means nothing .

Legally, all of our interpretations mean nothing. We haven't been hired to bring the lawsuit or defend against it.

However, it's obvious from the timeline that Apple's software feature came AFTER the unusual number of complaints about auto shutdowns which also happened AFTER the launch of the iPhone 6S. Did Apple have a replacement program for defective batteries for the 6S? Yes, that can be proven. Is it more likely than not that Apple has a record of the serial numbers for people that were lodging the complaints during that timeframe and that the majority were within that serial number range? I would bet on it being more likely than not.

In other words, just the sequence of events supports Apple's story for why the software fix for auto shutdown was added. Remember, the iPhone 6 and 6S were huge sellers for Apple. They weren't struggling to get people to buy phones at that time. Those were a runaway success with new Plus size screens added into the mix. Does it really make much sense to say that they had a motive to slow down people's phones for sales?

 

[kentsydney]

Sorry I’m missing something - I don’t understand why battery replacement will speed up a phone ?? So do the updates ruin the battery ???

 

[Tor Eckman]

First of all, Apple does say what they consider the EOL for the battery to be: 80% capacity, which is pretty standard for lithium ion batteries of any type. Does every customer know that? No, but you can't claim it's something Apple is hiding from them. The information on that is available. People in these threads constantly quote capacity numbers they're getting from from apps on their phones etc. as well.

As for the limited range, yes, it is factually true that the majority of people complaining about auto shutdowns after the 6S launch had 6S phones in that range. That doesn't mean those were the only people who could experience one, but a defective battery is going to make it much, much more likely. Thus the unusual amount of complaints that launched the investigation by Apple and ultimately the free battery replacement + software tweak.

You are missing the point, its not that apple implemented an algorithm that slows the performance of previous generation phones per se, it's that they failed to properly disclose it at a "least sophisticated consumer" standard so that people would recognize they had a choice to simple buy a new battery rather than replace an entire phone.

 

[MH01]

Legally, all of our interpretations mean nothing. We haven't been hired to bring the lawsuit or defend against it.

However, it's obvious from the timeline that Apple's software feature came AFTER the unusual number of complaints about auto shutdowns which also happened AFTER the launch of the iPhone 6S. Did Apple have a replacement program for defective batteries for the 6S? Yes, that can be proven. Is it more likely than not that Apple has a record of the serial numbers for people that were lodging the complaints during that timeframe and that the majority were within that serial number range? I would bet on it being more likely than not.

In other words, just the sequence of events supports Apple's story for why the software fix for auto shutdown was added. Remember, the iPhone 6 and 6S were huge sellers for Apple. They weren't struggling to get people to buy phones at that time. Those were a runaway success with new Plus size screens added into the mix. Does it really make much sense to say that they had a motive to slow down people's phones for sales?

Mate have a great happy new year ! Respect for sticking to your guns! Cya in 2018!!

 

[firewood]

How does benchmark software automatically trigger throttling? You have my attention ..... do explain .

I’m an app developer. Benchmarks are very different from normal apps. The iPhone display runs at 60 Hz. So does the GPU pipeline. Most games and smoothly animating apps update once per frame (every 16.67 mS), and have some margin left over (a few milliseconds) so they don’t drop frames on older models of device in the worst case. Benchmarks usually leave no margin, so the processors don’t have time to cool down between display frames. That idle cool down time between frames of a normal app allows the power management controller time to boost back up for the next peak load.

Most apps other than games and animated eye candy idle even longer between display frame updates, waiting on the network, or for storage data, or the GPS, etc.

Don’t trust those benchmark apps to measure true clock frequency or normal app performance. There are too many variables not under their control.

 

[now i see it]

I guess I'm one of the "lucky ones". I have a 635 day old (1yr, 8 mo) iPhone 6 Plus that's running iOS 9.3.5 with the original battery that came with the unit and the battery capacity (battery health) is still at 99.7% at 610 load cycles... according to coconutBattery. Geekbench scores are still the same as the day it was new, since the throttling fiasco started with iOS 10.2.

My phone has never shut down unexpectedly and I have to admit it works (and always has) worked flawlessly.

So you might wonder... How did I manage to still have 99.7% battery health with 610 load cycles?

Here's how:
NEVER charge to 100%
Only charge to 80%
NEVER discharge below 40%.

That may seem impractical, but keeping the battery state of charge between 40 and 80 will ensure the phone outlasts the battery and unexpected shutdowns can be avoided (without throttling).

 

[bmark]

Was your phone slow? If yes this is just retarded response. I have visited stores so many times including in 3 countries. I cannot believe how Apple operates with battery replacement.

Yes, my iPhone is slow like crap with the latest iOS 11. Apple better replace my battery at the next genius bar appointment or they might lose a loyal customer who has been with them forever!

 

[laudern]

Sorry I’m missing something - I don’t understand why battery replacement will speed up a phone ?? So do the updates ruin the battery ???

With a comment like that, it is clearly evident that you missed the entire article. Please read something before having someone man-splain it to you.