Does it worth to have the battery replaced from Apple for the MBP 13" Early 2015?

[GoztepeEge]

Hi everyone!
I have an Early 2015 MBP 13", which is kind of old device, but I still love it.
Nowadays it starts suffering from bad battery issues, the cycle is 910 and the health is %75, according to the battery health 3. And also it showed "Service Battery" sign as well. But I do not know if the battery is swollen or not.

Tomorrow I have an appointment at the Apple Store, and I believe they mostly will charge me for the top case replacement including a new keyboard, a new battery, and a new trackpad. All these come in one pack as a "top case", for 209 Euro price.

Do you think it is worth to make the battery changed for an Early 2015 MBP 13"?
Should I proceed with it? (I am planning to continue using this device at least 1-2 years more)

 

[Ray2]

I had the same MBP. Swelled battery, case & battery replaced under Applecare. Continued to use it for a year or two, was fine. For €209 I'd certainly do it.

 

[GoztepeEge]

I had the same MBP. Swelled battery, case & battery replaced under Applecare. Continued to use it for a year or two, was fine. For €209 I'd certainly do it.

Hmm, I got it. I am definitelz planning the same as well, if the Apple offers me this tomorrow for 209 Euro.
In how many days did you get your device back in complete? and have you lost anything from the hard drive?

 

[wilberforce]

I had the same MBP, and replaced the battery myself for $50. It is a bit difficult to do, depends how handy and brave you are. There are many youtube videos and iFixit guide to show you how to do it. Just suggesting another option.

Puredick A1582 A1502 Battery, Replacement Battery A1502 for MacBook Pro 13 inch Retina [ Early 2015, Mid 2014, Late 2013 ] A1493 - High-Performance and Longevity [11.36V 74.9Wh 18Months Warranty]

Puredick A1582 A1502 Battery, Replacement Battery A1502 for MacBook Pro 13 inch Retina [ Early 2015, Mid 2014, Late 2013 ] A1493 - High-Performance and Longevity [11.36V 74.9Wh 18Months Warranty]

www.amazon.com

The Apple top case plus battery replacement is also a pretty good deal.

I think the 2015 MBPs are the last of the "good" MBPs before the 2016-2019 era of butterfly keyboards, reduced ports, touch bars, overheating processors, and other questionable design changes. Definitely worth keeping if you like it and it is fast enough for what you do. Has the best keyboard of any MBP, IMO. I now have a 2021 14" MBP, but I was a bit sorry to see the 2015 MBP go.

When the battery swells the bottom cover will bulge down such that it no longer sits flat on a table, and the trackpad bulges upwards. Once it starts swelling do not ignore it, else it will damage the trackpad and other components, and Apple may charge you a much higher repair fee.

 

[GoztepeEge]

I had the same MBP, and replaced the battery myself for $50. It is a bit difficult to do, depends how handy and brave you are. There are many youtube videos and iFixit guide to show you how to do it. Just suggesting another option.

Puredick A1582 A1502 Battery, Replacement Battery A1502 for MacBook Pro 13 inch Retina [ Early 2015, Mid 2014, Late 2013 ] A1493 - High-Performance and Longevity [11.36V 74.9Wh 18Months Warranty]

Puredick A1582 A1502 Battery, Replacement Battery A1502 for MacBook Pro 13 inch Retina [ Early 2015, Mid 2014, Late 2013 ] A1493 - High-Performance and Longevity [11.36V 74.9Wh 18Months Warranty]

www.amazon.com

The Apple top case plus battery replacement is also a pretty good deal.

I think the 2015 MBPs are the last of the "good" MBPs before the 2016-2019 era of butterfly keyboards, reduced ports, touch bars, overheating processors, and other questionable design changes. Definitely worth keeping if you like it and it is fast enough for what you do. Has the best keyboard of any MBP, IMO. I now have a 2021 14" MBP, but I was a bit sorry to see the 2015 MBP go.

I also tought about this idea, changing the battery myself, however I just gave up because it is too risky. I know what to do and how to do, but I do not want to ruin my laptop by running away from a 100-150 Euro. Plus, the Apple battery replacement option is really beneficial as you said, and in my opinion, the most important thing is that I will have a "geniune Apple original battery", as well as new keyboard, new case etc. But the battery quality irritates me so much, hence I would like to trust Apple, not another brand from Internet or Amazon. I might lose my entire computer if the battery fails one day (I ahve read some comments on YouTube, some people had battery smokes and fires after 5-6 months).

And also until nowadays I have noticed that 2015 MBPs are still so much loved. It is because I have not followed the MBP news during the last years, so now I noticed that after 2015 MBPs, Apple failed a bit.

So you know, it is nice to hear those nice words for my Early 2015 "old-grandpa" ?
I hope Apple offers me a battery replacement tomorrow.

 

[Sanpete]

If it's the non-touchbar model, check here:

Apple Service Program status - Apple Support

Apple Service Program status

support.apple.com

 

[GoztepeEge]

If it's the non-touchbar model, check here:

Apple Service Program status - Apple Support

Apple Service Program status

support.apple.com

I just checked but it seems my device is Early 2015, however this program started for at least 2016 devices.
The result is:


The serial number you entered is not eligible under this program because either:
- It's not in the affected serial number range.
- Our records show that your battery has already been replaced.
- Our records show it's no longer eligible for a free replacement under this program. If you have questions, please contact Apple.

 

[Christopher Kim]

I just got this exact battery replacement for my wife's mid-2014 15" MBP. She loves the computer, it still works great for her, but was showing the MacOS notification that she should get her battery replaced (had something like 800 cycles).

The $199 cost given it came with a new topcase (new keyboard and new trackpad), to get done by Apple directly, was a no-brainer. Has breathed even more life into her computer, as the only real con she had noticed prior was that battery life had been much lower.

As long as you're happy with the computer itself, I think it makes a lot of sense. Now, if you have the budget, you could consider just buying a new 13" M1 MBA for $999 (and usually found for <$900 on Amazon, other places). Would perform way better than your 2015 13" MBP, and you get a shiny new computer to boot.

 

[wilberforce]

I also tought about this idea, changing the battery myself, however I just gave up because it is too risky. I know what to do and how to do, but I do not want to ruin my laptop by running away from a 100-150 Euro. Plus, the Apple battery replacement option is really beneficial as you said, and in my opinion, the most important thing is that I will have a "geniune Apple original battery", as well as new keyboard, new case etc. But the battery quality irritates me so much, hence I would like to trust Apple, not another brand from Internet or Amazon. I might lose my entire computer if the battery fails one day (I ahve read some comments on YouTube, some people had battery smokes and fires after 5-6 months).

Yes, all makes sense, and is why most go for the Apple battery replacement.

But for others reading this who want spend as little as possible, and having already replaced my own battery for $50, I wouldn't hesitate to do so again. But I don't mind taking risks of breaking something. It's not a big risk, but it is a risk.

 

[wilberforce]

btw, if you take it in, see if they will take off the bottom cover and show you the battery. If the battery is not swollen, you could just decide to live with the reduced battery capacity. If the battery is swollen, you essentially MUST replace it.

You could also check it yourself if you get a P5 pentalobe screwdriver to take off the bottom cover. (Watch out: 2 of the screws are very slightly shorter than the others). It is very obvious if the battery is swollen - the black plastic wrapping each cell is puffed up.

 

[GoztepeEge]

Thanks for the messages and comments, I am actually pretty stable about the idea that I would like to have the procedure done by the Apple, not myself. This is a low risk for me, but it is not worth it to put a lower quality battery for 50-60 Euro. I would pay a bit more like 209 Euro to Apple, then I can get an "original" Apple battery as well as a new top case with a keyboard and a trackpad. So this makes more sense to me. It is more wisely, at least.

But, in terms of a new computer, I can not pay 700-800 Euro directly right now. At least I do not want to pay, so to say. Because my 2015 13" grandpa is still working pretty great, I am happy with it. Also the new Macs require hubs and additional accessories as well, which is an idea that I should avoid.

Overall, it seems my final decision will be based on the battery status tomorrow. Once Apple tech checks it and shows me that the battery started, or already, swolling/swollen, then most probably I will initiate the procedure at the Apple store. 209 Euro is an acceptable price for all these parts, although I have some concerns and fears in terms of any issue/problematic thing after the top case change, because the tech who will be doing the procedure has to move every part (screen, logic board, all screws etc.) to the new top case, which might be resulted in some human errors. I hope this won't be the case but there is no guarantee, as we all know.

We will see it tomorrow.

 

[Fishrrman]

"Tomorrow I have an appointment at the Apple Store, and I believe they mostly will charge me for the top case replacement including a new keyboard, a new battery, and a new trackpad. All these come in one pack as a "top case", for 209 Euro price."

YES, that is WORTH IT!

JUMP ON IT at that price!

(have I made myself clear ???)

 

[GoztepeEge]

"Tomorrow I have an appointment at the Apple Store, and I believe they mostly will charge me for the top case replacement including a new keyboard, a new battery, and a new trackpad. All these come in one pack as a "top case", for 209 Euro price."

YES, that is WORTH IT!

JUMP ON IT at that price!

(have I made myself clear ???)

That was so clear, I got it 1000%?

 

[GoztepeEge]

NEWS: I got to the Apple Store Munich yesterday, the genius bar conducted a test on the computer. The battery failed, but there was no exact reason. We know that this was because of the "service battery" sign.

He just pushed the computer towards the desk, noticed no swollen battery from outside, told me that 'I do not think the battery is swollen, so if you would like to use it as it is, it is normal and does not need to be replaced definitely'. So he actually did not advise me the battery replacement, however I proceeded. Because this is the only time I can do this. And also I do not want the PC to be screwed with that risky battery one day, unexpectedly.

So the process started yesterday at 12.40. He told me that the computer was going to shipped to Czech-Republic, where is a replacement center of Apple, so the process is going to be done there. Then they ship the computer back to Munich. The parts to be replaced is "Top Case", which includes the keyboard, the trackpad, the entire top case aluminum, and the new battery. Then the screen and internal parts are moved from the old PC, he said. The price is 209 Euro.

The computer is planned to be back to Munich on 09.12.2021, but we will se if that works. I hope works

One more thing to note: my current MBP has a Turkish layout keyboard, and I asked the Genius Bar about it, he told me that the new keyboard will be the same with the old one, and they are not able to change the layout from Turkish to anything else. The new keyboard will be the same, Turkish, just for your information.