Apple has apologized for not communicating better how it handles performance for iPhones with older batteries after Reddit users accused the company of throttling speeds of older iPhones following recent software updates.
“We apologize,” Apple said in a message posted to its site.
“First and foremost, we have never — and would never — do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product, or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades. Our goal has always been to create products that our customers love, and making iPhones last as long as possible is an important part of that.”
After the note explains how batteries are “consumable components,” it also says that Apple will offer battery replacements for iPhone 6 smartphones or later models for only $29. Those who have devices that qualify will have through December 2018 to get their batteries swapped at the discounted price — normally a battery replacement for an iPhone costs $79.
Originally, Apple said it would begin offering the battery replacements at the lower prices in late January. But on Saturday, Axois reported that Apple would start the discounted replacements immediately.
“We expected to need more time to be ready, but we are happy to offer our customers the lower pricing right away,” Apple said in a statement to Axios.
Apple also said that early next year it would issue a software update for iOS that would provide more transparency about devices’ battery health. The update will let users “see for themselves if its condition is affecting performance.”
(Lead photo courtesy of Microsiervos/ CC BY 2.0)
