Apple Says iPhones Will Better Support Third-Party Displays and Batteries Later This Year

[MacRumors]

Apple today published a lengthy whitepaper that highlights the company's approach to device repairability and longevity. In the document, Apple revealed that iPhones will better support third-party displays and batteries later in 2024.

First, Apple said True Tone will work with third-party iPhone displays later this year:

True Tone requires precise calibration to function properly, and it is not possible to engage a default calibration for third-party displays, which can result in unexpected behavior. For this reason, Apple disables the True Tone feature when third-party displays are used, but enables all other aspects of the display. In an effort to offer more complete support for third-party parts, starting later in 2024, Apple will allow consumers to activate True Tone with third-party parts to the best performance that can be provided.

They will be able to deactivate True Tone in Settings if the display does not perform to their satisfaction.

True Tone automatically adapts the color of the display to match the light in your environment.

Second, Apple said battery health metrics such as maximum capacity and cycle count will work with third-party iPhone batteries later this year:

Currently, battery health metrics such as maximum capacity and cycle count are not presented to consumers whose devices have third-party batteries. This is because the accuracy of these metrics cannot be verified by Apple. In fact, an Apple internal analysis has found that some third-party batteries sold as new are actually secondhand, with battery health metrics manipulated to appear as new. In an effort to improve support for third-party batteries, starting later in 2024, Apple will display battery health metrics with a notification stating that Apple cannot verify the information presented.

Apple said the third-party battery metrics are not guaranteed to be accurate.

These changes will presumably be rolled out with iOS 18 updates later this year, but Apple did not provide more specific timing in its document.

Article Link: Apple Says iPhones Will Better Support Third-Party Displays and Batteries Later This Year

 

[1369281]

This is pretty cool. I just replaced a display in an iPhone 15 to an LCD display that does not use PWM (because Apple's OLED displays flicker and cause massive eye-strain), and not having True Tone was one of the only drawbacks.

This will no longer be an issue because of this! Good job, Apple!

 

[Joelj]

Nice to know there might be a viable option for those stuck on LCD iPhone 11 due to OLED PWM flickering! I just hope a company springs up who does it, I don't fancy breaking a new iPhone myself.

 

[mjs916]

This is good for consumers. Now, to get repair centers to be honest about what they are putting in your device…

I suspect I received a non-genuine or used battery when I had one replaced years ago by an AASP. Battery health dropped like a rock within a month and battery life was so poor I assume there was no way it was the same as the original. Could have been supplied by Apple though… maybe they had cheaper stock as the replacements or it was just defective.

No manner of troubleshooting ever resolved it.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Precisely why I’d only go to Apple for parts. Other places may be cheaper… but so many places perform dodgy repairs using unknown components from no one knows where.

At least if you get a battery from Apple, for example. If there is an issue they can reach out and recall it if there is found to be defect in a batch. You know you’re getting a new battery and it is designed for your iPhone, made by Apple approved supplier. With third parties, who knows… they are unlikely to track or care.

 

[Apple$]

Good news! Seems like Apple is slightly opening the door more and more.

 

[vertsix]

Bahahahahahaha! Unbelievable gaslighting.

 

[MacFin]

I recently got my iPhone 11 Pro battery replaced in the UK with iSmash, and it only cost me £39. The whole process took about 10 minutes, and I watched the technician do the job right there in front of me with simple tools, no fancy Apple equipment. Everything worked fine, but my iPhone showed a red notification warning about the battery not being Apple-approved for almost two weeks. This meant I couldn’t see the battery health in the iPhone settings, although apps like iMazing still showed the data.

The new battery has been great, and since I’m planning to upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro this year, I didn’t want to spend £89 for an Apple replacement. So I’m really happy with the third-party battery, and I saw the technician open a brand new battery pack for my iPhone, so it felt legitimate despite some horror stories I’ve heard.

My only complaint is that iSmash’s website said the warning notification should go away in a few days, but it took weeks for mine to disappear. Since then, my iPhone 11 Pro works perfectly fine except for one issue: FaceTime video calls have become very choppy and laggy. Video calls on other apps like WhatsApp and Signal are fine, so I suspect Apple might be “punishing” me for using a third-party battery on the software side. It’s just a hunch, as there’s nothing else wrong with my iPhone and its other video capabilities.

But all that being said this is great news that Apple no longer will limit battery information to only their own approved batteries.

 

[timber]

I would always prefer original parts if available but the thing is after some time perhaps those aren't available or the phone is old enough it isn't worth the costs asked by Apple and the owner would prefer whatever quickly and cheaply gets it to working condition. Some countries don't have the USA's Apple store at every corner possibility.

In short there are lots of reasonable reasons for wanting to use 3rd party parts and you shouldn't have to jump through hoops to do it or even be blocked.

 

[GMShadow]

Bahahahahahaha! Unbelievable gaslighting.

Yes, the people selling you a battery for $5 are the honest ones.

So I’m really happy with the third-party battery, and I saw the technician open a brand new battery pack for my iPhone, so it felt legitimate despite some horror stories I’ve heard.

It being in a package doesn't mean it's new.

 

[teknikal90]

beginning of the end folks.

 

[ignatius345]

I would always prefer original parts if available but the thing is after some time perhaps those aren't available or the phone is old enough it isn't worth the costs asked by Apple and the owner would prefer whatever quickly and cheaply gets it to working condition. Some countries don't have the USA's Apple store at every corner possibility.

In short there are lots of reasonable reasons for wanting to use 3rd party parts and you shouldn't have to jump through hoops to do it or even be blocked.

Exactly. Most people running relatively recent iPhones, I would imagine, will likely just opt for OEM replacement parts like this -- but a move like this is bound to extend the servicable life of older iPhones everywhere, keeping them out of landfills. I know Apple is probably doing this to head off anti-trust enforcement, but it's still a good move.

 

[Fuzzball84]

I recently got my iPhone 11 Pro battery replaced in the UK with iSmash, and it only cost me £39. The whole process took about 10 minutes, and I watched the technician do the job right there in front of me with simple tools, no fancy Apple equipment. Everything worked fine, but my iPhone showed a red notification warning about the battery not being Apple-approved for almost two weeks. This meant I couldn’t see the battery health in the iPhone settings, although apps like iMazing still showed the data.

The new battery has been great, and since I’m planning to upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro this year, I didn’t want to spend £89 for an Apple replacement. So I’m really happy with the third-party battery, and I saw the technician open a brand new battery pack for my iPhone, so it felt legitimate despite some horror stories I’ve heard.

My only complaint is that iSmash’s website said the warning notification should go away in a few days, but it took weeks for mine to disappear. Since then, my iPhone 11 Pro works perfectly fine except for one issue: FaceTime video calls have become very choppy and laggy. Video calls on other apps like WhatsApp and Signal are fine, so I suspect Apple might be “punishing” me for using a third-party battery on the software side. It’s just a hunch, as there’s nothing else wrong with my iPhone and its other video capabilities.

But all that being said this is great news that Apple no longer will limit battery information to only their own approved batteries.

It may be all well and good but just because a new battery was opened does not make it legitimate. Li ion batteries follow strict manufacturing and safety features are built in to reduce risk of fires etc. If it’s not an official Apple part how do you tell the battery has all the safety features that are required of li ion batteries. The batteries chemistry is likely to be different to an original part too. Peak current draw may be lower than an official Apple battery and hence that might affect certain operations on iPhone. Apple built in the warnings in the software for safety reasons.

Also the ethical thing to do when you sell it is tell the person you give the iPhone to that it does not contain an official Apple battery.

 

[Fuzzball84]

It’s good to have options but because there are so many dodgy repair merchants out there… how do you know you’re getting legitimate quality components. There are literally no standards for third party batteries. That should scare people as a dodgy battery is a fire waiting to happen.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Good news. Will help out folks in countries with out direct Apple presence, and want cheaper options. I will just continue to use Apple repairs under AC.

 

[TechnoMonk]

It’s good to have options but because there are so many dodgy repair merchants out there… how do you know you’re getting legitimate quality components. There are literally no standards for third party batteries. That should scare people as a dodgy battery is a fire waiting to happen.

User takes the liability.

 

[now i see it]

Well…. Battery health metrics aren’t accurate with genuine Apple batteries either, so

 

[Fuzzball84]

User takes the liability.

That is absolutely true

But the sad thing is… you’re a family, your teenager or other gets a repair at a dodgy repair shop… iPhone catches fire later (that day, weeks, months)… other people suffer because you chose a 40 dollar repair over a 80 plus dollar repair at Apple and a unscrupulous shop put a battery from who knows where in your 600 plus dollar iPhone.

That’s why repairs need to be regulated. Especially when it comes to electricals and especially batteries.

At the moment anyone can buy a cheap dodgy ass battery off from anyplace.

 

[omenatarhuri]

Great, wouldn’t mind using cheapo parts to fix secondary older devices. Good stuff!

 

[TechnoMonk]

That is absolutely true

But the sad thing is… you’re a family, your teenager or other gets a repair at a dodgy repair shop… iPhone catches fire later (that day, weeks, months)… other people suffer because you chose a 40 dollar repair over a 80 plus dollar repair at Apple and a unscrupulous shop put a battery from who knows where in your 600 plus dollar iPhone.

That’s why repairs need to be regulated. Especially when it comes to electricals and especially batteries.

At the moment anyone can buy a cheap dodgy ass battery off from anyplace.

Well Apple was taking heat from regulators. Now the burden will be on the users and regulators chasing Apple. Grass is always greener on the other end. Wait till scammers show up to take advantage of this move.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Well…. Battery health metrics aren’t accurate with genuine Apple batteries either, so

Battery health metrics on any battery are not 100 percent. It’s there as a guide.

Cycle count is usually the most accurate parameter. Capacity left and others metrics less so… sometimes the runtime can be much less than the capacity remaining due to increasing internal resistance of the battery with usage and age and the nature of current demand of the device. That’s why devices can cut out all of a sudden at 30 or 50 percent remaining etc on an older battery… the internal resistance means the voltage drop just crashes below that required to keep the device on.

 

[Joe The Dragon]

so the answer is $99.99 battery swap and you lose all of your data?

 

[timber]

Is anything today blocking or hindering those scammers?

Well, they shouldn't even exist considering this 3rd party parts support is for latter this year.

 

[Eorlas]

Nice to know there might be a viable option for those stuck on LCD iPhone 11 due to OLED PWM flickering! I just hope a company springs up who does it, I don't fancy breaking a new iPhone myself.

due to wat

 

[bigboy29]

...some third-party batteries sold as new are actually secondhand, with battery health metrics manipulated to appear as new...

I guess I never ran into this as I always get an Apple replacement but... sigh... if it appears too good it probably is...