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Replace battery before AC expires

kybldmstr

kybldmstr

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 12, 2011
786
380
New Orleans, LA
I have an appointment at my local Apple store this afternoon because I would like to get my battery replaced in my rMBP (late 2013). AppleCare expires on 12/29 and my battery cycle count is at 853. I can definitely tell that my battery life has decreased over the last 3 years and I would love it if Apple would replace my battery before the warranty expires, especially since I have never had to use my warranty for anything. Mac says battery is still in normal condition but I don't care. What do you think my chances are of convincing my Genius to replace the battery for me for free?
[doublepost=1481210625][/doublepost]P.S. I am on the public beta at the moment so I'm also worried the Genius will give me the line about how you can't trust that your battery is fully functioning on a beta
 
Apple will only replace the battery if it is at less than 80% of original charge capacity at 1000 cycles. To expect them to replace your battery just because their product has been so reliable that you haven't had to use the warranty for the past 3 years is absolutely ridiculous.

What is your charge capacity at right now?
 
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Awjvail said:
Apple will only replace the battery if it is at less than 80% of original charge capacity at 1000 cycles. To expect them to replace your battery just because their product has been so reliable that you haven't had to use the warranty for the past 3 years is absolutely ridiculous.

What is your charge capacity at right now?
Click to expand...
Full charge capacity: 5492
Unsure what brand new capacity was. 13 inch
 
If the replacement won't be free, you might as well keep using what you have until you actually -need to- replace it...
 
spoa94 said:
I agree, I just thought it would be a good idea to take a look at my battery before the warranty expires
Click to expand...

They can look at it but they won't replace it unless for some reason the battery tests bad. The battery is performing exactly as designed.

Batteries will inherently lose capacity as they age - that isn't Apple's problem.
 
You will need to replace your battery soon anyways. According to your usage cycle, I'd predict the battery will last you a little less than a year before it needs to be replaced., so it's beneficial to replace it now and not have to worry about it for the next 3 years.

I would give it a try. Let them know you've been having problems with your battery, whether thats true or not. You may have to BS Apple a bit in order to get a free replacement. Honestly it all depends on the genius that helps you, whether they decide to do an exception or not, since your battery is not technically below 80% yet. But my advice I would definitely give it a try. You don't really have anything to lose. The worst they can say is no.
 
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ag29 said:
You will need to replace your battery soon anyways. According to your usage cycle, I'd predict the battery will last you a little less than a year before it needs to be replaced., so it's beneficial to replace it now and not have to worry about it for the next 3 years.

I would give it a try. Let them know you've been having problems with your battery, whether thats true or not. You may have to BS Apple a bit in order to get a free replacement. Honestly it all depends on the genius that helps you, whether they decide to do an exception or not, since your battery is not technically below 80% yet. But my advice I would definitely give it a try. You don't really have anything to lose. The worst they can say is no.
Click to expand...

Why would you possibly replace the battery now when it still has at least 200 cycles left? That is literally throwing money away. My MBA is at 1,015 cycles and at 81%. I still have a minimum of 1% health before it starts to become unstable, that is at least 50 cycles based on my current battery degradation rate. Thats over 2 months of usage.

His battery may last 500 more cycles before reaching 80%. Battery drop isn't always linear. OP, don't replace the battery until it becomes unstable, otherwise you are throwing away a perfectly good battery.
 
Mlrollin91 said:
Why would you possible replace the battery now when it still has at least 200 cycles left? That is literally throwing money away. My MBA is at 1,015 cycles and at 81%. I still have a minimum of 1% health before it starts to become unstable, that is at least 50 cycles based on my current battery degradation rate. Thats over 2 months of usage.

His battery may last 500 more cycles before reaching 80%. Battery drop isn't always linear. OP, don't replace the battery until it becomes unstable, otherwise you are throwing away a perfectly good battery.
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Because it would be free....if not then obviously there would be no point in doing it now. Common sense c'mon
 
Mlrollin91 said:
Why would you possibly replace the battery now when it still has at least 200 cycles left? That is literally throwing money away. My MBA is at 1,015 cycles and at 81%. I still have a minimum of 1% health before it starts to become unstable, that is at least 50 cycles based on my current battery degradation rate. Thats over 2 months of usage.

His battery may last 500 more cycles before reaching 80%. Battery drop isn't always linear. OP, don't replace the battery until it becomes unstable, otherwise you are throwing away a perfectly good battery.
Click to expand...
I think ag29 was proposing replacing it now since it's under warranty. Do you know if Apple has different in/out of warranty prices for replacing batteries?
 
spoa94 said:
I think ag29 was proposing replacing it now since it's under warranty. Do you know if Apple has different in/out of warranty prices for replacing batteries?
Click to expand...

Its either $129 or $149. I think MBP is $149. Its all one set price.
 
Mlrollin91 said:
How is it free? He does not qualify for a free replacement.
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OP has AppleCare. AppleCare by itself is a $249 purchase. Why shouldn't OP be entitled to get at least some benefit from having AppleCare for 3 years?

So what if OP qualifies or not, it's still worth giving it a try and seeing if Apple will replace it for free. Because as soon as AppleCare expires, the chance of getting the battery replaced for free, whether it was already a very small chance to begin with, gets completely thrown out the window.
 
Awjvail said:
Apple will only replace the battery if it is at less than 80% of original charge capacity at 1000 cycles. To expect them to replace your battery just because their product has been so reliable that you haven't had to use the warranty for the past 3 years is absolutely ridiculous.

What is your charge capacity at right now?
Click to expand...

They won't even do that. I was at 79% in my first 3 years (well below 1000 cycles) and they argued that it was a consumable item.
 
ag29 said:
OP has AppleCare. AppleCare by itself is a $249 purchase. Why shouldn't OP be entitled to get at least some benefit from having AppleCare for 3 years?

So what if OP qualifies or not, it's still worth giving it a try and seeing if Apple will replace it for free. Because as soon as AppleCare expires, the chance of getting the battery replaced for free, whether it was already a very small chance to begin with, gets completely thrown out the window.
Click to expand...

The only AppleCare items that get 1 free battery replacement are iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. It is included wth the purchase of AppleCare+. AppleCare does not include a free battery unless it has failed.
 
Mlrollin91 said:
How is it free? He does not qualify for a free replacement.
Click to expand...

I think he is suggesting it's worth the OP trying his luck while he's covered by Apple Care.

Assuming the store is nearby or he/she can tie the visit in with some other chore in the area, I would say there's little harm in trying.

I have had luck with them in the past. There checks didn't show any fault, but I had a video showing it behaving erratically.
 
Mlrollin91 said:
If the battery has fallen below 80% before reaching 1000 cycles.

I had this problem 6 months ago with my GF's battery. Under warranty, battery was at 76% and unstable, charge count was 1,052. They said it was worn and no longer covered under AppleCare.
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Not true either. They will replace it once it falls under 80% within their guarantee time. See https://www.apple.com/support/products/mac.html
"Service coverage is available only for the Mac and its original included accessories for protection against (i) defects in materials or workmanship and (ii) batteries that retain less than 80 percent of their original capacity."
 
ZeDog said:
Not true either. They will replace it once it falls under 80% within their guarantee time. See https://www.apple.com/support/products/mac.html
"Service coverage is available only for the Mac and its original included accessories for protection against (i) defects in materials or workmanship and (ii) batteries that retain less than 80 percent of their original capacity."
Click to expand...

Again no. If you reach 1000 cycles you have consumed the battery. Consumed products are not covered. No different than car batteries or wiper blades.

The terms and conditions of the actual AppleCare warranty classify the battery as a usable good. Once it's used it's not covered. If it fails before 1000 cycles then it is covered.
 
Mlrollin91 said:
Again no. If you reach 1000 cycles you have consumed the battery. Consumed products are not covered. No different than car batteries or wiper blades.

The terms and conditions of the actual AppleCare warranty classify the battery as a usable good. Once it's used it's not covered. If it fails before 1000 cycles then it is covered.
Click to expand...
Please provide proof of your claim. I can't find what you claim on Apple's disclaimer site.
 
ZeDog said:
Please provide proof of your claim. I can't find what you claim on Apple's disclaimer site.
Click to expand...

I will try to find physical proof. My GF was denied the free replacement for this exact reason. I will have to try to find the AppleCare box.
 
"
Battery warranty information
Your Apple One Year Limited Warranty includes replacement coverage for a defective battery. If you purchased an AppleCare Protection Plan for your Mac notebook, Apple will replace the notebook battery at no charge if it retains less than 80 percent of its original capacity. If you don't have coverage, you can have the battery replaced for a fee. "
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204054

They changed their policies just recently
 
ZeDog said:
"
Battery warranty information
Your Apple One Year Limited Warranty includes replacement coverage for a defective battery. If you purchased an AppleCare Protection Plan for your Mac notebook, Apple will replace the notebook battery at no charge if it retains less than 80 percent of its original capacity. If you don't have coverage, you can have the battery replaced for a fee. "
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204054

They changed their policies just recently
Click to expand...

That policy was changed June of 2015 as you linked above. We were denied in May of 2016. The Genius pulled out information right there that showed this but also stated of the battery was worn it does not qualify.
 
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