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Apple Updates iPad Mini 6 Battery Replacement Policy to Substitute Battery Only, Not Entire Device

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Apple is rolling out a new policy for the sixth-generation iPad mini that will allow customers to get their batteries replaced without being given a replacement device.

ipad-mini-3.jpg

Currently, if an iPad customer wants to get their battery replaced, Apple Stores, authorized service providers, and repair centers will give those customers a replacement device instead of simply swapping out the battery in their original iPad. Starting today for repair centers, iPad mini 6 customers, if eligible, will be able to get only their battery replaced without needing to be given a whole unit replacement (WUR).

The new policy is only being applied to the sixth-generation iPad mini, but other iPads may follow in the coming weeks and months. Depending on individual circumstances, the new policy could disadvantage some customers. Previously, customers would get a replacement device for battery repairs, so any dents, cracks, or scuffs would be taken care of.

The new policy means that iPad mini 6 owners will only have the battery replaced, leaving any other minor defects or damage to their device untouched. The new policy, as of now, is only being implemented at repair centers worldwide and not at Apple Stores or authorized service providers.

Article Link: Apple Updates iPad Mini 6 Battery Replacement Policy to Substitute Battery Only, Not Entire Device
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/27/ipad-mini-6-battery-policy-update/
mrochester said:
This sounds so much better for the environment!
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Not only that, also a lot better for your wallet. If you experience short batterylife and want to get your battery replaced, Apple Store’s batterytest had to show the battery as “defective” or below a certain percentage.

If the test didn’t indicate a battery problem you had to pay the more expensive device swap price instead of the batteryreplacement price.

Had this problem with my macbook, and since it is vintage now they dont even have te part available anymore.
 
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Fyrus said:
Not only that, also a lot better for your wallet. If you experience short batterylife and want to get your battery replaced, Apple Store’s batterytest had to show the battery as “defective” or below a certain percentage.

If the test didn’t indicate a battery problem you had to pay the more expensive device swap price instead of the batteryreplacement price.

Had this problem with my macbook, and since it is vintage now they dont even have te part available anymore.
Click to expand...
Exactly, but shame it's only the 1 iPad so far but I expect this to be rolled out to other devices.
 
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Sin_sniper468 said:
Just to clarify, you did not qualify for the battery rate if there was any cracks or bends!
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Makes sense since they were replacing the entire device. I presume they'd still not replace the battery if there was other physical damage to the device and you'd have to pay the higher device replacement rate.
 
Wokis said:
Best ipad ever made. They simply want to improve upon their environmental goals of not throwing away a bunch of stuff.
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As a Mini lover it definitely is not. TouchID is questionable, terrible UI, and display controller orientation is opposite of what it should be causing all types of ghosting issues and jelly scroll. Add the $100 price bump and it’s definitely not the best Mini let alone iPad ever made.
 
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I thought although possible, replacing batteries on iPad is not that simple compared to an iPhone, and thus it's better to just replace the whole unit.

I remembered going with a friend to an Apple store in Singapore as she wanted to replace the battery of her iPhone 6. Even for an iPhone, the genius ended up breaking her screen. Lucky for her she ended up with a refurbished unit (and she was happy as it was practically like new) for the price of a battery replacement. I don't think these technicians would suddenly be an expert in removing iPad screens. Or maybe Apple have new tools for them?

Personally I would rather just get a whole replacement unit. Better than risking the tech breaking something else.
 
mrochester said:
Exactly, but shame it's only the 1 iPad so far but I expect this to be rolled out to other devices.
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How would you know? Which other iPads are having this issue? Just curious. My iPad Air 5 has lasts a week unused on a full charge before it’s dead, but if I’m supposed to be getting better battery life, I’d like to know.
 
mrochester said:
It never ceases to amaze me how negative people can be on a positive story. It's not the news or content that are the problem, it's the people.
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If it’s for the environment then why not every iPad and only the Mini? Trying to justify a business move as an environmental one is delusional. Apple removes the charger and they are praised, which I agree, but do you not think cable and charger sales increased because of this? If you want to reduce environmental impact then all current Apple devices with lightning would be usb c. Tell me why the current gen ATV remote is lightning…
 
progx said:
How would you know? Which other iPads are having this issue? Just curious. My iPad Air 5 has lasts a week unused on a full charge before it’s dead, but if I’m supposed to be getting better battery life, I’d like to know.
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What issue? We are talking about having the battery replaced on an iPad once it is spent.
 
Sheepish-Lord said:
If it’s for the environment then why not every iPad and only the Mini? Trying to justify a business move as an environmental one is delusional. Apple removes the charger and they are praised, which I agree, but do you not think cable and charger sales increased because of this? If you want to reduce environmental impact then all current Apple devices with lightning would be usb c. Tell me why the current gen ATV remote is lightning…
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Maybe because the Mini has been designed in a different way to allow the battery to be more easily replaced? And it then takes time to redesign other products to allow for the same thing?

It's not changing all devices to USB-C that has the positive environmental impact it's not including charging bricks and cables in the box. Apple could do that now by removing lightning cables from the box and telling people to use their existing lightning cables to charge their devices.
 
mrochester said:
What issue? We are talking about having the battery replaced on an iPad once it is spent.
Click to expand...

Oh, I thought they had bad batteries in them. I’ve never had a battery “spent” before. Keep it in the back of my mind for my Air. I’ve used it more than my last two iPads.
 
progx said:
Oh, I thought they had bad batteries in them. I’ve never had a battery “spent” before. Keep it in the back of my mind for my Air. I’ve used it more than my last two iPads.
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No we are just talking about the normal battery replacement process where you get a new battery to make your device last longer before selling/giving away/recycling.
 
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bobtem said:
Can only have this one at a “repair center”?
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Yeah sometimes they can't do stuff in-store and send it off to a different location, this takes like two weeks in Australia.

Happened to me for my AirPods Max, they said they couldn't "verify they were genuine" without sending them away.
 
rpmurray said:
How are we supposed to game the system if Apple keeps instituting policies like this?
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I presume you mean how do I get a shiny 'new looking' refurbished iPad at the cost of the battery replacement?

The answer is, this will stop :p
 
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Wokis said:
Best ipad ever made. They simply want to improve upon their environmental goals of not throwing away a bunch of stuff.
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This is a business decision with the side benefit of "helping" the environment. When they replaced a device, they would give someone an A-grade refurb. Now they just need to replace an internal component while the rest of the components stay at their same age. The side benefits of not replacing glass isn't solely for the environment.
 
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