Apple Charging 20% More To Replace Batteries in iPhone 16 Pro Models (macrumors.com)
- Reference: 0175006825
- News link: https://apple.slashdot.org/story/24/09/16/1425237/apple-charging-20-more-to-replace-batteries-in-iphone-16-pro-models
- Source link: https://www.macrumors.com/2024/09/15/iphone-16-pro-battery-replacement-fee/
> Apple Stores can replace the battery inside an iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max for $119 in the U.S., which is up from $99 for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. This is [1]a 20% increase to the fee , which includes the cost of a new battery and service by an Apple Store. The fee may vary at third-party Apple Authorized Service Providers. The fee remains $99 for the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Customers with AppleCare+ can still get an iPhone 16 Pro battery replaced for free, but only if the battery retains less than 80% of its original capacity.
>
> Apple says all four iPhone 16 models are equipped with larger batteries, and all of the devices received an internal redesign for improved heat dissipation, according to the company. A metal enclosure was rumored for at least some iPhone 16 batteries, but we are still waiting for teardowns to get a proper look inside of the devices.
[1] https://www.macrumors.com/2024/09/15/iphone-16-pro-battery-replacement-fee/
I think it's reasonable (Score:3)
it may seem like a lot, but getting an OE battery replacement for that cost is reasonable considering it's a $1600 phone. People should be more outraged over a $1600 phone price.
Re: I think it's reasonable (Score:1)
That's not a realistic representation of the issue. Nobody is replacing the battery in a brand new phone. You'll be replacing it four years down the line when you get iphone 20 and give the crappy old 16 to your grandma. At which point you'll be wondering if its worth keeping a 300$ device alive longer for 120$.
Re: (Score:2)
Well, the EU requirement that the battery be user replaceable with minimal tools is supposed to be in effect, and from what I read, the iPhone 16 implements it using standard tools to open it.
Given this, well, you're supposed to do it yourself. Or use one of the dozens of hole int he wall mall kiosks that will change the battery in your phone while you wait. Given this, the consumer should know there is no reason to go to Apple to replace the battery anymore.
Not Apple's fault if you didn't want to use the m
Wait, its supposed to be easier to change (Score:2)
LOL, what, they said the new battery design was supposed to be way easier to change in terms of labor. I cant imagine the cost of the battery went up 20%
Less Repairable? (Score:2)
Why can't a trillion-dollar company figure out a way to make a waterproof door on their phone?
Some people say it's an excuse to allow MWG TLA's to turn on the phones remotely, like the A-processor GPU backdoor used to spy on journalists.
A simple removable battery could prove them all wrong.
Re: (Score:2)
You can buy them now, look for handheld tablets marketed to industry.
Seems cheap (Score:2)
Both figures still seem cheap to me for an Apple product.
How courageous (Score:2)
I've vowed never to set foot in an Apple retail store ever again. Why would anyone wait all that time in line and then pay such an outrageous amount when the guy at the little kiosk next to the food court will change the battery for 1/3 the price in 1/4 the time?
iPhone 12 Pro Max (Score:2)
Not sure how everyone measures their change in absolute battery capacity.
My iPhone 12 Pro Max is coming up on 4 years of service (this December), is running iOS 17.6.1, and still chugs along. I charge it at night, it shows 99 or 100% charge in an hour or two, and behaves like it. The biggest hit to battery life is when I'm in a weak cellular coverage area, where the cell band transmitter in the phone needs to use more transmit power to connect, or using the phone out in full daylight, where the screen brigh
Just make the back open (Score:2)
So the user can replace their own battery.
Re: (Score:2)
> So it can have an increased chance of water damage. NO THANKS!!
> I'll gladly pay $120 to replace the battery in my $1600 device.
I’ll gladly believe that phone is worth $1600 when we stop writing battery replacement FUD clickbait a week after its release.
This is like having recall discussions on 2025 model cars.
Re: (Score:1)
Inflation, wage adjustment, and larger battery contribute to this cost increase. When was the $99 change fee established? How far back did it go? Honestly, 20% seems right in line with inflationary pressure, so I don't see it as gouging. Glad the lower cost phones still have cheaper battery replacements.
Oh, and for Valgrus Thunderaxe, cell phones that open are very 2005. Form and function are much better suited to the new models. They are waterproof, more compact given the internal capabilities, and more
Re: (Score:2)
> nobody cares what you believe the phone is worth.
> objectively it cost $1600 and will cost $120 to replace the battery.
Objectively, it will cost $50 to replace the battery from iFixIt. Why book an appointment with Apple a week or more in advance, make a 45-minute round trip to an Apple store, and potentially wait several hours for them to actually do the battery swap when you can swap it out yourself in 45 minutes?
Re: (Score:3)
Cheap phones such as Galaxy S5 neo had both a user-replaceable battery and water resistance.
They could make the back hold in place with 4 screws.
Anyways, Apple still won't cover water damage so even after that $120 replacement, they won't promise you you can drop it in the water and expect it to work afterwards.
Re: (Score:2)
The problem is that Apple has become a "leader" in making phones less and less repairable, and forever more expensive to repair.
Re: (Score:2)
You've said it yourself. You prefer to pay $120 to have the battery replaced, and somehow you also prefer that the rest of us can't easily replace the battery ourselves . Because you fear that having a user-replaceable battery would reduce water resistance, ignoring the fact that Apple's base warranty won't even cover your phone if it get damaged for getting dropped for 10 seconds in a bath.
Re: (Score:2)
The barcode scanner Androids you see retail workers use are easily designed with a hotswappable battery, a variety of ports, and are operable underwater (depending on model). They also don't require an Otterbox to survive being dropped. Consumers pay for glued together fragile things because they've been trained to.
Re: (Score:2)
> So the user can replace their own battery.
Yeah, just put a door knob on the back. If my garden shed has one, why not a phone?
Re: (Score:2)
"Yeah, just put a door knob on the back. If my garden shed has one, why not a phone?"
You *do* realize you just made several Apple product designers faint dead away, right?
Re: (Score:2)
Isn't form over function their motto?