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

[HallStevenson]

My guess is these batteries cost Apple maybe $10 a pop? But like you said, Apple warranties their work, usually done by trained technicians, I can see why they'd charge $80.

I'd venture to say the batteries are even less than $10/each.

As for Apple's previous $79 charge to replace a battery, if people pay that, then that's a fair price. Even if the battery was $4, the tech's time is $10 ($20/hour, 30-minute job), factor in training costs, store overhead, etc, the total cost to Apple for a battery replacement is still way, way, way below $79. Hell, Apple may still make a small profit at this $29 rate they're going to charge. Or maybe it's a break-even cost or a small loss (a really, really small loss).

People commenting about "price gouging" and similar would be best to not operate a business of selling goods. You don't buy an item for $5 and sell it for $6 or $7. Well, you can, but you a) better sell millions of those items or b) you won't be in business long.

 

[satchmo]

Meanwhile you can order pretty much the same kit for under $9 on eBay.

 

[Arran]

Same question can be asked of Apple.

Apple's doing it as a gesture of goodwill and to preserve their brand. Damage control. To them it's another cost of doing business. They have deep pockets - so no biggie. 6, 6s and 7 owners will be happy at getting a great deal and Apple's brand will be reinforced with them. The price-competition may even drive iFixit out of business? Little downside for Apple, really.

iFixit's matching Apple's price only because they'd have no customers otherwise. I suspect their pockets are less deep and this could really hurt them. That wouldn't be good for competition.
[doublepost=1514573540][/doublepost]

Meanwhile you can order pretty much the same kit for under $9 on eBay.

If only.

I've ordered some of those bargain batteries before and they wound-up being worse than the original (old) 4 and 4s batteries I was replacing.

For two of my old "spare" phones that I keep around for emergencies, I actually put the old batteries back in and discarded the "new" ones. They were trash.

 

[britboyj]

So, pay $29 to mess it up yourself, or pay $29 to have Apple guarantee it?

 

[HallStevenson]

Meanwhile you can order pretty much the same kit for under $9 on eBay.

I've bought "new", OEM batteries (for Android phones) off of eBay and Amazon sellers and in the majority of cases, believe that they were in fact 'used'. They were taking OEM batteries out of phones and either cleaning them up as much as possible or even wrapping them in 'fake' stickers/covers. I won't buy them anymore. They were barely any better than the almost-dead battery I was replacing and in a case or two, no better at all or even worse.

 

[donlab]

Why not keep the old battery and swap it back in if you need to have your phone repaired?

Batts are backed with adhesive tape. PIA to swap.
[doublepost=1514575006][/doublepost]Ifixit just raised the price for iPhone6 battery kit from 20 to 25 in EU. I ordered for 20 last week.

 

[Solomani]

If you bugger it up then you’re buggered.

That will be my signature line from now on.

 

[indychris]

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.

It's called profit. It's what drives business and what motivates entrepreneurs to create and innovate. It's how people make money and how individuals and families are supported. It's actually NOT a bad thing! I'll never understand how making money came to be so scorned in our world.

It's also a matter of market forces. Before, they priced to stay competitive with Apple. Now that requires them to lower their prices. They probably already have thousands and thousands manufactured, so it would actually be BAD business to simply let them sit idly due to low demand. We don't even know that they might not be losing a little $$$ on each sale, but chose to do so rather than losing a HUGE sum due to a lack of sales.

 

[tennisproha]

What did they lower prices on? The price of their older kits is the same!

 

[Pman17]

Rather have Apple do it anyways in case I were to mess up the water seals on the 7 and up.

 

[JosephAW]

Apple is secretly trying to kill off all battery replacement suppliers so that they will only replace batteries for phones under warranty or AppleCare. Clever.

 

[kstotlani]

I completely agree with this up until the last two sentences... can you give us some example exchanges on how those last two sentences work? What are you buying? From what store? Who are you actually talking to, and how do you avoid that being an awkward conversation?

I know that a lot of stores absolutely have the margins to do this. I had an idea for a product to sell at Best Buy, had a factory willing to make it for $12, and I wanted to sell it for $20. Talked with Best Buy and found they wanted 40% of the MSRP, which would have left me with nothing. Was told if I really wanted to make my product, sell it for $20, and make a profit, I was going to have to find a factory in China wiling to make the product for $4-6. But them having the margins doesn't mean the cashier is going to be able to offer me that 10% discount just because I ask for it.

I do this too. E.g. I was at a Nike store and wanted to buy the latest launched shoes. I told the manager that I would definitely buy this if I got some discount. Got 20% off. Sometimes you have to just ask. I know it can be awkward but the worst they can do is judge you and say no.

 

[Will do good]

Damn, I just order a kit 2 days ago and shipping was $11.

 

[csi24]

But will Apple even replace your battery since it'll more than likely pass their phony "tests"???

 

[justperry]

Damn, I just order a kit 2 days ago and shipping was $11.

They still might give you a discount, try.

 

[JackieInCo]

So iFixit has been price gouging. I need about 40-60 signatures on a petition to start my class action suit.

Apple too was price gouging. Don't you get it?

 

[justperry]

Apple too was price gouging. Don't you get it?

Someone has to pay for those huge service centres.

 

[DipDog3]

Sounds

Apple is secretly trying to kill off all battery replacement suppliers so that they will only replace batteries for phones under warranty or AppleCare. Clever.

Sounds like a good starting point for another lawsuit!

 

[justperry]

Sounds


Sounds like a good starting point for another lawsuit!

Don't think Apple can actually do that so no lawsuit needed.

 

[Pakaku]

If you DIY the battery replacement Apple will refuse to ever work on your phone again for any other out of warranty repair. Replaced my battery on my own and when I later wanted Apple to replace a cracked screen they refused to do so for this reason. There was nothing wrong with the third party battery, they just said that as soon as they saw that when opening the phone the policy is to refuse all service on the phone. Beware of this!!!!

But you installed a third-party battery yourself, so shouldn't you be able to install a new screen as well?

 

[asdavis10]

Apple too was price gouging. Don't you get it?

Satire dude. Satire.

 

[aristobrat]

But will Apple even replace your battery since it'll more than likely pass their phony "tests"???

Considering they’re updating iOS to directly show owners the battery status without having to have a Genius run a test, ...

 

[Gruntersdad12]

I have a certified Apple repair establishment near me that I would let do the work if they will do it for $29.00. But will Apple reimburse them for the extra amount they probably could have made???

 

[fairuz]

It really only makes sense if you don't live close to an Apple retail store. Most people don't, but I do, so I'm gonna take mine in now that I've learned it's only $29!

 

[Black Magic]

Apple is secretly trying to kill off all battery replacement suppliers so that they will only replace batteries for phones under warranty or AppleCare. Clever.

With so many shady folks out there using cheap components from batteries to chargers I can see Apple trying to get consumers to shy away from 3rd parties. The first time the phone acts funny or blows up after using 3rd party wares, the consumer will blame Apple and be all over social media. How many times have we seen folks buying cheap chargers from China that made iPhones catch fire with them getting on social media blaming Apple?