iFixit Reduces Price of All DIY iPhone Battery Replacement Kits to $29 or Less

[69Mustang]

Simple question is why??? If apple is charging 29 dollars and the work will be warrantied, why risk doing it yourself. I don't understand

From the article:
When we ask our customers why they do the repair themselves rather than take it to Apple, they give us a few reasons:

- Convenience. No need to drive anywhere or wait in line; replace your battery from your kitchen.
- Availability. Many people don't live near an Apple Store, and don't have another option for same-day repair.
- Privacy. Some people aren't comfortable giving their device to someone else.
- Fun. It's interesting to open up your stuff, find out how it works, and make it function better.

That first reason doesn't resonate with me personally. The middle two make perfect sense. The fun factor? For me, yes. I've used several iFixit how-to's to dig into my electronic equipment. Recently fixed my sister's clothes dryer using iFixit advice.

 

[HallStevenson]

First if they can afford to do this for this price, why charge so much before this?

Strange that you don't question Apple on the same thing.

 

[B4U]

Why? Just why bother with them?

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Nice to see them lowering the price but two points.
First if they can afford to do this for this price, why charge so much before this?

Of course, the same seems like it should apply to Apple too, right?

So iFixit has been price gouging.

But Apple has not been price gouging?

 

[HallStevenson]

But the question has been would Apple actually replace the battery. Anecdotes abound of Apple not replacing batteries because they didn't pass/fail (not sure what that one should be) the battery test.

At this point, they've gotten such a bad rap over the whole battery issue, they would be stupid to start refusing to change batteries after making this "gesture".

Any details if this price applies to in-store repairs or is it only for sending your phone out ? That will be a turn-off for many.

 

[sevvere]

Oh look, the free market works again

#resist

 

[69Mustang]

At this point, they've gotten such a bad rap over the whole battery issue, they would be stupid to start refusing to change batteries after making this "gesture".

Any details if this price applies to in-store repairs or is it only for sending your phone out ? That will be a turn-off for many.

This isn't a "start doing" thing. My comment is about what they've been doing.

 

[macfacts]

Nice to see them lowering the price but two points.
First if they can afford to do this for this price, why charge so much before this? ....

Same question can be asked of Apple.

 

[HallStevenson]

This isn't a "start doing" thing. My comment is about what they've been doing.

Sorry, what I meant was they had probably decide to relax their 'standards' when it comes to battery replacement.

 

[testcard]

To think I put all my savings into Bitcoin in 2010. I should have invested in a battery replacement business; I would have been a billionaire by now.

 

[the-bigwig]

Remember that Apple refuse to exchange the battery even if it’s throttled but battery health is above 80%. Ifixit batteries are for those who are severely throttled but can’t exchange battery by Apple due to 80% battery health or more.

 

[craig1410]

But Apple has not been price gouging?

Same question can be asked of Apple.

Difference is that Apple have labour costs for the fitting to account for and potential warranty liability. I'd guess around 15-20 minutes labour per phone. It soon mounts up and makes $29 probably cost or below cost price.

 

[idmean]

Closest authorised service point is 65 miles one way. Closest Apple store is 100miles one way.

At this point Apple offers the discounted price only in the US? In Sweden the price listed on Apple’s website is still 805kr, so still at $79.

"starting in late January and available worldwide through December 2018" -- https://www.apple.com/iphone-battery-and-performance/

 

[Jimmy James]

I'd rather not have my phone performance artificially destroyed in the first place. Much less when the battery may still be reasonably good. At least this is progress.

 

[MjWoNeR]

"starting in late January and available worldwide through December 2018" -- https://www.apple.com/iphone-battery-and-performance/

Thanks for that!

 

[IbisDoc]

Simple question is why??? If apple is charging 29 dollars and the work will be warrantied, why risk doing it yourself. I don't understand

Two possible reasons -
1. You know that Apple will conveniently find that many iPhone batteries don’t qualify for replacement, just as they are doing now.
2. If they do loosen their phony qualification criteria for battery replacement, given all of the iPhones Apple slowed with software “updates”, the wait for a battery replacement appointment will be weeks to months.

 

[craig1410]

Two possible reasons -
1. You know that Apple will conveniently find that many iPhone batteries don’t qualify for replacement, just as they are doing now.
2. If they do loosen their phony qualification criteria for battery replacement, given all of the iPhones Apple slowed with software “updates”, the wait for a battery replacement appointment will be weeks to months.

More likely Apple will bend over backwards to be helpful to repair the PR damage asap.

 

[minimo3]

Plus $20 for shipping. No thanks

 

[griz]

What icrapit did over this “issue” was shoot themselves in the foot. Besides, what percentage of iPhone users will even attempt such a thing?

How is this shooting themselves in the foot? It may be a small percentage, but if they can sell more kits, then good for them. Especially if people realize that the bad battery is slowing down their phone. I just replaced mine using an iFixit battery. I would have done it 6 months ago had I realized that the slow down issues were due to the battery. I just attributed them to the newer OS, and more apps that I was running.

 

[firewood]

Are so many posters here so clueless how the free market and competition works? And how supply and demand sets prices? (Not costs.)

Or are they all from Cuba, or some other socialist “paradise”?

 

[mainomega]

Battery. Good for them but you would have to be an idiot to pay the same for a generic battery. Apple replaced it with their own fresh and juicy battery.

Waterproofing. Kiss that goodbye if you do it yourself, unless you also buy and apply the gasket which you will mess up doing.

Adhesive strips. They come off but you have to go nice and slow. The. I hope your kit came with new adhesive otherwise.... hot glue?

Warranty. Chances are you are out of warranty by a couple of years but Apple gives you a 90 day warranty from their repair date. How much will ifix it give you if you screw up.

I replaced my own battery and it wasn’t a big deal but it was a big ass 6 plus. I kept their battery so I’ll be swapping it out for $29 in about 11 months.
[doublepost=1514569070][/doublepost]

I’ve replaced iPhone batteries myself, but if the price is the same to have Apple do it and guarantee the work then Apple is where I’ll go in 2018.

I imagine Ifixit has to clear out stock ASAP and cancel/cut back all 2018 orders with their battery suppliers/manufacturers. This has got to be painful for them.

Good call. It’ll push other sellers to lower their price as well (at least until 2018). But if it goes back up by $40 I would think to myself “they are probably still making $60 out of me”

 

[maflynn]

Same question can be asked of Apple.

Yes, I agree. It certainly implies excessive pricing but at least with Apple's work, you get a warranty of the repair
[doublepost=1514570361][/doublepost]

That first reason doesn't resonate with me personally. The middle two make perfect sense. The fun factor? For me, yes. I've used several iFixit how-to's to dig into my electronic equipment. Recently fixed my sister's clothes dryer using iFixit advice.

Ok, thanks for the response. I've done my share of repairs/upgrades on PCs, I used to build/fix them back in the day, so I can understand maybe the fun part, but for me the phone is a tool and given how things are sealed, I'd rather not risk it, but that's just me.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Yes, I agree. It certainly implies excessive pricing but at least with Apple's work, you get a warranty of the repair
[doublepost=1514570361][/doublepost]Ok, thanks for the response. I've done my share of repairs/upgrades on PCs, I used to build/fix them back in the day, so I can understand maybe the fun part, but for me the phone is a tool and given how things are sealed, I'd rather not risk it, but that's just me.

Why are people surprised that companies are in business to make... profit?

My guess is these batteries cost Apple maybe $10 a pop? I'm sure someone can come up with an educated guestimate - there are those articles that say the iPhone cost $300 something to make, right? But like you said, Apple warranties their work, usually done by trained technicians, I can see why they'd charge $80.

Agreed - watched the video on iFixit's 8 teardown and ... no way ... just no way. I've built PCs, taken apart laptops, put new batteries in iPhone 4s, 5, and old iPods... I won't even try it. lol.

 

[maflynn]

Why are people surprised that companies are in business to make... profit?

I'm not knocking them making a profit, but it does seem excessive that if Apple could afford to make a profit on a 29 dollar repair that they once charged 79 dollars. Seems like they're gouging us, especially since they make it very hard to have other people repair it.

 

[mzeb]

Nice to see them lowering the price but two points.
First if they can afford to do this for this price, why charge so much before this? Secondly, I'd rather of Apple work on it and offer a warranty on the phone for the replacement.

Two things - 1) They may actually be taking a loss on it now. They can probably afford to thanks to profits on other things and the price drop to continue to compete. It's all about margins and competition. 2) If Apple maintains this price point for battery replacement and they are taking a loss they need to dump this stock ASAP and get out of the market for the exact reason of your third sentence.