Apple to Offer $29 iPhone Battery Replacements, More Battery Health Info in iOS

[adnbek]

What the security? Like I can put a really long word passcode or wipe and restore when I get it back?

Well you can always back it up and erase it if you’re not comfortable with keeping your info on it, but I think the only thing they’ll ask is to turn off the find my iPhone feature. I’m not sure.

When you begin the procedure, I believe they’ll send you an email with detailed instructions of what you need to do.

 

[JosephAW]

Enable the ability to install any iOS and all will be forgiven.

 

[78Bandit]

It wasn’t a secret. It was reported quite some time ago by Rene Ritchie. And it has only been going on a short time so “finally” is a bit hyperbolic.

1. iMore is a niche website frequented by a limited subset of Apple enthusiasts. The average consumer (or even Apple Store employee) doesn't follow Apple news that closely. There was nothing in the release notes or in Apple's PR that stated a bad battery would be compensated for by throttling the phone's performance by up to 50%.

2. The iMore article never mentioned throttling as Apple's solution. They talked about "advanced battery management". If Apple didn't try to hide behind such vague, meaningless terms and just came out and said "we cut CPU performance when the battery can't meet the phone's requirements" it would have been different. I sincerely hope Rene Ritchie wasn't informed devices were being throttled and didn't disclose it clearly. Such an action on his part would be a massive failing of his obligations to iMore's user base.

3. The article says "Anyone with a particularly weak battery who still experiences the issue should contact AppleCare." Based on postings as well as the Harvey lawsuit, when customers with performance issues took their devices to Apple the Genius Bar employee ran a battery capacity test. Indications are this test could be passed successfully and the internal battery service notice wouldn't be triggered even if the phone was experiencing throttling. Apple kept the throttling a secret from both the consumer and from its own employees while the Genius Bar employees told affected customers their phone was perfectly fine with no battery related issues.

4. The throttling may have been only going on for about a year since the release of 10.2.1, but the problem was in existence well before then. Apple even had time to realize the shutdown issue was widespread enough to design diagnostic routines included in 10.2 specifically to try and figure out what was going on.

 

[opfreak]

Strawman argument. Won’t even bother to respond.

Oh but here’s s lovely anecdote that just happened yesterday. I was out and this couple with their kid handed me their phone to take a photo of them. It was a Samsung S5 or the S6, not sure which. So the camera app itself took a few seconds to launch. Then finally, the time between when hitting the shutter button and the actual picture being taken was excruciatingly long. Not exaggerating when I say it was literally between 5 to 8 seconds between when tapping the shutter and the pic actually being taken. I thought it was broken. I could’ve taken about 20 pics or more in the same period of time on a throttled iPhone 6 I’m sure.

Android fanatics are just so used to and accepting of crap performance on their older phones, throttling or not, it would never become a full-blown issue to begin with.

So only apple white knights like yourself can build fallacious arguments, like your original post was?

Apple lied to people, apple covered up bad batteries. You seem to be ok with that.

 

[roar08]

What annoys me about this and other things like it is that it sets the precedent that an uninformed public can develop an "outcry" over anything get a result out of Apple. Real shame. The public didn't deserve this level of compromise from Apple. Intelligent CPU management of a device powered by lithium-ion battery is expected and appropriate, and really no one's business besides the engineers.

It's great for customer relations and PR. The long-term goodwill is worth more than any loss incurred (which I'm sure there isn't) by the reduction in price. It takes wisdom to decide which hills are worth dying for.

 

[Gareth.James]

Anyone know if the same applies to iPads?

 

[DaveOP]

So only apple white knights like yourself can build fallacious arguments, like your original post was?

Apple lied to people, apple covered up bad batteries. You seem to be ok with that.

Not disclosing the technical aspects of fixing the unexpected shutdowns is not "lying". They never said "we are not slowing phones down when their battery goes bad".

 

[sracer]

Amazing news and uncalled for. I imagine all the trolls will have to find something else to whine about. Apple has stepped up and addressed something that was not a big deal.

well let’s wait to see the restrictions for this program before proclaiming Apple’s generosity. if history is any indication, the restrictions will make the the program ineffective.

 

[tylerthomas28]

As expected damage control from smug Apple. No surprise from the company that claimed you were holding it wrong. Perhaps instead of gimping devices to push users to upgrade they will now have messages about replacing the battery.

 

[adnbek]

So only apple white knights like yourself can build fallacious arguments, like your original post was?

It wasn’t an argument to begin with. Just stating a fact.

Apple lied to people, apple covered up bad batteries. You seem to be ok with that.

No I never said that. Apple should’ve been more transparent about this whole issue from the moment they released their OS update, that’s for sure. But I believe Apple’s response is more than adequate and people whining that 29 bucks is too expensive and are deluded into thinking a new battery should be free can go find this imaginary alternative that offers them these things.

I don’t think it’s Apple’s job to placate people’s exaggerated sense of entitlement.

 

[linkboy]

Not disclosing the technical aspects of fixing the unexpected shutdowns is not "lying". They never said "we are not slowing phones down when their battery goes bad".

Definition of the word "lie"
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/lie

1. a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; a falsehood.synonyms: prevarication, falsification.antonyms: truth.
   
   
2. something intended or serving to convey a false impression; imposture:

Anyone who's phone was above 80% capacity, was denied a replacement, yet was still throttled, was lied to.

They were told, by Apple employees, that there was nothing wrong with their phone's battery, when in fact, there was.

That's a lie.

Willfully hiding information from a person is a form of lying.

 

[TokMok3]

Their customer service is always good when they have taken $billions in sales.....this is not good customer service by any stretch, i.e. the millions who have aleady spent the $79, paid for Apple Care or have already upgraded, possibly without any need.

Sometimes I had bought used stuff from eBay, but when buying new devices, I go to Apple, because I know those guys will take care if something goes wrong with my devices. I have an iPhone 6 plus, and now Apple is going to replace the battery and they say that they will fix this problem with an update, what else can I ask for after owning this device for 3 years. I complained about iOS 11 as many others, and now there's a possibility that a new battery will fix the performance of iOS 11 on my iPhone 6 plus. Every body make mistakes and in this situation Apple is taking responsibility for that. I respect that and will buy from them again.

 

[vooke]

Admission of guilt makes the suits easier. They should carry on. It's self-evident that the consequences of throttling among others pushed users to upgrade. They should and will pay for this. If not in US,at least in one other country, especially EU.

Criteria for payment?
1. Proof of ownership of a throttled device
2. Proof of upgrade

Biggest unanswered question is why they refused to replace batteries under warranty that were still subjected to throttling. This case is far from over

 

[MrX8503]

This is why I own Apple products. I can get my iPhone battery replaced with an OEM battery and have the phone resealed.

Good luck getting that done with an Android phone.

 

[imageWIS]

Apple: "we're sorry we got caught"

And we paid our CEO $103 million this year.

 

[TokMok3]

Had it not bean for individuals on reddit, this would still be continuing. How is this customer service number 1 , when they got caught red handed and this is a damage control move.... a temp price reduction ? I believe apple still needs to run tests to determine if your battery needs changing

Apple replaced my MacBook Pro 2015 screen without asking any questions. They replaced may iPad Air twice just because the screen has a little pinkish shadow, they replaced my iPhone 6 plus 3 years ago because there was a problem with the camera, and now after 3 years they are going to replace the battery of my iPhone 6 plus, and they promised to do something about with a software update.

Nobody can beat Apple on that.

 

[cmaier]

And I believe you have some affiliation with Apple to blindly defend them to the end of the world.

Who said blindly?
[doublepost=1514516541][/doublepost]

As expected damage control from smug Apple. No surprise from the company that claimed you were holding it wrong. Perhaps instead of gimping devices to push users to upgrade they will now have messages about replacing the battery.

You WERE holding it wrong.
[doublepost=1514516576][/doublepost]

Admission of guilt makes the suits easier. They should carry on. It's self-evident that the consequences of throttling among others pushed users to upgrade. They should and will pay for this. If not in US,at least in one other country, especially EU.

Criteria for payment?
1. Proof of ownership of a throttled device
2. Proof of upgrade

Biggest unanswered question is why they refused to replace batteries under warranty that were still subjected to throttling. This case is far from over

Okay judge Judy.

 

[aliensporebomb]

I love the people who think that by switching to an android phone they're somehow getting a magical mythical unicorn battery that never loses its design capacity spec over time. It affects any phone and any operating system and indeed any battery powered device.

 

[Bawstun]

Phones that just randomly shut off should be RECALLED and REFUNDED to customers.

Bingo. Judges and shareholders will agree with this - which is why they WILL be issuing checks to every iPhone owner, and why Cook is out as CEO. Notice I say is, not will be. Apple knows they have lost these suits - they already know. Voting on Cook being out has probably already taken place internally.

People can laugh all they want. Quote my posts for posterity. A costly, PROPER, recall was avoided by an unmentioned and illegal software fix. The phones were defective and Apple undoubtedly profited immensely from it. They will lose. The case CANNOT be won.

How is this difficult for anyone to grasp? How?

 

[cmaier]

Bingo. Judges and shareholders will agree with this - which is why they WILL be issuing checks to every iPhone owner, and why Cook is out as CEO. Notice I say is, not will be. Apple knows they have lost these suits - they already know. Voting on Cook being out has probably already taken place internally.

People can laugh all they want. Quote my posts for posterity. A costly, PROPER, recall was avoided by an unmentioned and illegal software fix. The phones were defective and Apple undoubtedly profited immensely from it. They will lose. The case CANNOT be won.

How is this difficult for anyone to grasp? How?

You are inventing facts AND law. Impressive.

 

[MagicBoy]

You Clearly were overcharging you phone...that doesn't make it the same for ALL!

Pardon?

It's plugged into an Apple charger using an Apple lightning cable overnight. How is that clearly overcharging a phone?

 

[linkboy]

I love the people who think that by switching to an android phone they're somehow getting a magical mythical unicorn battery that never loses its design capacity spec over time. It affects any phone and any operating system and indeed any battery powered device.

Nobody is denying batteries degrade over time. People are upset that Apple did this without informing them of what they were doing.

 

[ignatius345]

Too late Little Timmy Cook.

I moved to Android. Pixel 2. It's magical. And it just slurps your iPhone over to it with an included USB adapter. Seamlessly. So now I'm a switcher. And now I'm no longer hostage to Apple's freakish hardware of late and I'm not paying for Timmy's jet anymore. Freedom!

Nice of you to keep posting here, though. We all are very excited to hear about your Android phone. Tell us more about it! How magical is it loading MacRumors forums and using it to type comments about how much you hate Apple and iPhones? We are all just dying to know more!

 

[cult hero]

Apple: "we're sorry we got caught"

Wish they were sorry more often! I’m not gonna complain.

 

[TokMok3]

Bingo. Judges and shareholders will agree with this - which is why they WILL be issuing checks to every iPhone owner, and why Cook is out as CEO. Notice I say is, not will be. Apple knows they have lost these suits - they already know. Voting on Cook being out has probably already taken place internally.

People can laugh all they want. Quote my posts for posterity. A costly, PROPER, recall was avoided by an unmentioned and illegal software fix. The phones were defective and Apple undoubtedly profited immensely from it. They will lose. The case CANNOT be won.

How is this difficult for anyone to grasp? How?

Absolutely, internally somebody will pay for that, we just have to remember what happened to Scott Forstall a few years ago for the Maps app.