Apple launches battery replacement program for iPhone

Well, it seems Apple has reacted -- at least partially -- to the gripe that the iPhone battery isn't user replaceable with the iPhone Out-of-Warranty Battery Replacement Program. If your battery goes flat Apple will replace it for $79.95 plus $6.95 for shipping, with turnaround time expected to be about three business days. As a bonus, if you just can't live without Cupertino's newest, Apple will rent you an iPhone for the duration of the battery replacement -- or if it needs any other type of repair -- for just $29. In total, the whole experience will set you back well over that magical $100 mark, and after having shelled out a pretty big load of cash to begin with, we're sure this won't sit well with many. Of course, exploding after-market batteries will be all over in the coming weeks and months, so if you just can't get yourself to spend all that official-Apple-repair cake, eBay should have you covered for home replacement.

[Via Mac Rumors]

[Ruben @ Jul 4th 2007 4:07PM]

Wow. Apple really likes you guys. I just dont get how hard it is to put a F**KING DOOR on the back of it. They introduced all this amazing technology into this phone, yet failed to answer a "CELL PHONE" requirement and have a user-replaceable battery.

Wake up, the sheep appear to be in their own dream world.

[ScOObyDoo @ Jul 4th 2007 4:13PM]

I'm sure Steve Jobs told his designers that he doesn't like doors. Screw the customers, make it look cute.

[Jon @ Jul 4th 2007 4:24PM]

There is nothing amazing about the technology in this phone. The only new thing it has is bigger flash and 'multitouch', but it missing tons of other techs as well.

[phil @ Jul 4th 2007 5:06PM]

Consider the economics. 10 million buyers a year and assume 50% people buy a replacement battery in 1-2 years while the others buy another phone. Apple then takes in $100 per phone x 5 million = $500 million residual from the battery replacers alone.

[jabber_wolf @ Jul 5th 2007 2:44PM]

Yeah and the reason you WANT a replaceable/swappable battery is to have no down time.

So If I send it overnight to Apple, at best, I'll get it back in a week?

Well, I guess I dont need my only phone device on me for a week. Who needs friends, family, work, or anyone else calling me. I'll just explain to them that I'm on an iphone vacation while I get a new battery replacement.

um HELLO APPLE, WTF!!!!??

[Ugo @ Jul 4th 2007 4:13PM]

why should the battery be going flat in the first place? Can someone please tell me why I should EXPECT to replace my phone battery?

[ScOObyDoo @ Jul 4th 2007 4:14PM]

Because physics mean it isn't possible to make an everlasting battery just yet. Apple has rated the battery at 300-400 full charging cycles.

It is nice that they'll rent you a spare phone for just $29, real philanthropists at Apple.

[Ugo @ Jul 4th 2007 4:19PM]

Yeah they're peaches those guys at Apple. But what i meant was, what happened to plugging your phone into the wall and charging the battery? Whens the last time you had to replace your nokia battery and rent a new phone for $29

[Dave @ Jul 4th 2007 5:13PM]

Well if you have never had the same cell phone for more than a year you might not notice the average 2 year life span of the batteries, after which they start to rapidly loose how much power they can hold.

Second, if you don't use a phone for business or had a data device phone you might have not had the need to carry a spare battery for when your battery runs down partway through your busy work day.

[MaX PL and the 360 r4pe Tr4iN @ Jul 4th 2007 4:16PM]

man apple makes things so affordable...

NOT.

[xbit @ Jul 4th 2007 4:19PM]

N95 battery = $10 on eBay.

[CaptSaltyJack @ Jul 4th 2007 5:27PM]

El cheapo N95 battery (from some illegit Chinese warehouse) that will require charging every other day with just light use, and will completely die on you within 6 months = $10

Have fun. I can watch an entire movie on the iPhone and use it frequently during the day, and still have about 75% charge left.

Plus, people, you have your facts wrong. It was 300-400 charges before the battery starts losing its full capacity. NOT before it dies.

The only problem I have with this policy is the $30 charge for a rental phone. They should offer up the rental phone at no extra charge.

[Jon @ Jul 4th 2007 4:21PM]

I got a new authentic BL-5B battery for my N80 a couple of days ago for US$20. Plus I didn't have to send my phone off.

I am dying to see how Apple fanboys spin this news into Apple's favour.

[eh @ Jul 4th 2007 4:26PM]

God bless that Steve Jobs, the man is a saint.

[F @ Jul 4th 2007 4:41PM]

The only time I need to take the battery out of my phone is when it freezes/crashes and the power button doesn't work. I've never had to replace it. If the battery on the iPhone lasts as long as a properly-cared-for iPod battery, many people will be upgrading their iPhones by the time it goes flat.

[eh @ Jul 4th 2007 7:07PM]

ipod batteries are horrible, if the iphone battery is anywhere near as bad as the ipod batteries then Apple may have another lawsuit on their hands. Im on my 2nd ipod battery and its almost unusable after about 1.5 years, it cant even hold a charge over night.

[Constable Odo @ Jul 4th 2007 9:07PM]

My iPod w/Video is about 1.5 years old using the original battery and I don't seem to have any issues with it holding a charge. I used to run it down to probably about 10% and then I'd charge it. I used to watch a lot of videos (complete season episodes of shows). It never ran completely out and I'd usually charge it overnight.

So maybe it's how the battery gets used that causes it to fail completely. Like I say, my iPod battery is nearly as good as new. I'm going to run some tests to see how long it can hold a charge and how long I can watch videos on a charge. I doubt if I've charged it 200 times, though.

[marv @ Jul 4th 2007 4:53PM]

I'm stunned they didn't just tell people to buy a new phone after the battery dies.

[trancer @ Jul 4th 2007 4:57PM]

Dirty dirty tricks.... makes me sick

[TorontoGuy @ Jul 4th 2007 4:58PM]

Can't everybody see what's coming? Apple has always found a way to suck more and more money out of their suckers' wallets.
Not having a user replacable battery is NOT a feature for you but it certainly is a feature for THEM.
The next thing will be a NEW model of the iPhone but with larger storage capacity...that way, all of you 'early adopters' can scrap your 'old' iPhones (which were designed with inadequate storage) and buy the NEW iPhones...$$$$$$.
Then we KNOW there will be the hundreds of crap 'accessories' that are going to be produced by 3rd partys. We might get an iPhone hat...or the popular iPhone toilet paper holder. Hey, why doesn't somebody develop a screen magnifier..a fresnel lens should do the job...you could call it the iSee. ;-)

[Michael R Johnson @ Jul 4th 2007 4:58PM]

First of all, let me just say that I think the battery "program" is a tad expensive. I would think that US$60 would have been a reasonable cap. (Look at authentic batteries for digital cameras, for comparison.)

Secondly, to (nearly) all above commenters, and the internet community in general, regarding the iPhone:
Please stop this petty bickering about Apple and the iPhone. All this nonsense about the iPhone *not* being revolutionary (Where the definition of revolutionary can be interpreted in many ways.), not following "cell phone standards, "fanboys" spinning news "to their favor", etc. Just stop–please. Whether you are willing to pay the price for an iPhone or not, whether you have a personal bias toward Apple or not, and whether or not you've even *used* an iPhone to see what it's like; it's just a phone, and Apple is just a company.

[kludge @ Jul 4th 2007 5:25PM]

Man, you dont have to be genius to say that.

And also, you dont have any right to stop us being entertained by those iPhone wanabees.

You guys (iPhone wanabees) are so funny .... and iDiot :)

[Michael R Johnson @ Jul 4th 2007 5:30PM]

Kludge:

I didn't mean to imply that I wanted to stop anyone from adoring the iPhone. More power to you. It's just the petty bickering that's so absurd.

Additionally, while I don't own an iPhone, I have used one at an Apple store, and I must say, compared to my Moto Q "smartphone", the iPhone *is* revolutionary, and I sure do want one! :)

[stephenbratz @ Jul 4th 2007 7:08PM]

Your post just got added to my list of "I will remember that the next time there is a post about the Zune" list, which contains about 20 links right now.

Poor Apple fanboys, all you do is bitch and complain about products that do not fit into your little Apple-only world. But when it is turned around, waaaaa, don't complain, I wuv my little [insert Apple product here], it is so shiny and sparkly, why do you have to say bad things?

Enjoy your little tantrum.

[Michael R Johnson @ Jul 4th 2007 11:42PM]

stephenbratz, thank you for proving my point.

[Zadillo @ Jul 4th 2007 5:03PM]

I recall reading that if you do buy AppleCare for it (for $69), that does include a battery replacement, so that would seem to be the best deal.

[gunshy @ Jul 4th 2007 5:10PM]

I'm very surprised the way Apple made this with the complaints that came from the original iPod battery.

[Kirk @ Jul 4th 2007 5:13PM]

Just another reason to charge you for something they are making a mint on.

[andy @ Jul 4th 2007 5:19PM]

JESUS, STOP BITCHING, YOU WHINEY LITTLE GEEKS, IF YOU DONT LIKE IT, DONT BUY IT, OR COMMENT ON IT.

[kludge @ Jul 4th 2007 5:27PM]

*LOL* You are so desperate :)

[Ruben @ Jul 4th 2007 10:46PM]

We will comment on this at any point in time, at any degree of passion or hatred, and most importantly of all, regardless of whether we are owners of the device or not.

THERES A FU***NG COMMENT SECTION FOR A REASON!!!!!!!!
TO MAKE COMMENTS ON THE NEWS!!!

If you plan on making comments, make them constructive. Your ramblings are like those of a child. It is clearly evident that you accept the fact that this is disappointing news, since your only challenge to the vast majority of the comments pointing to their disappointment with this news, is to say then dont buy it.

With this, Apple is after nothing more than your money. Batteries dont cost 79.99, and the fact that you should have to pay shipping on top of it all is just sand in the face of Apples consumers. And 29 for a rental phone? Go to any service provider, and ask them if you have to pay for a rental phone while yours is being repaired. Thats just sad, in my oppinion. Really sad. And people still support them. A door is easily possible, and even some might think there is one when you look at the back. But of course, they didnt want to include one, purely for this unbelievable system they set up.

And you cant compare an iPhone to a regular phone. It seems like a device that you will use for at least 2 - 3 years, if not more (thats if it lasts that long), so as opposed to regular cell phones, this one will get much more use (considering the wifi and constant data access it has). So you can garantee that the battery will die, possibly 2 - 3 times during its life.

...And all they needed to do was to include a door. Im even suprised their laptops dont have embedded batteries. No other device they make has removable batteries.

Dont bother bringing up the Zune if you want to challenge, because thats disappointing as well. This is about the Jesus Phone that is becoming more of a Judas as every day goes by.

[Herbert Neal @ Jul 4th 2007 5:28PM]

Thank god for suckers.

[Ekio @ Jul 4th 2007 5:29PM]

$600 + 2 year contract = $2000. $2000 for a 2.5G phone. Japanese people must be laughing at us right now as we speak.

[Dane @ Jul 4th 2007 5:30PM]

As an owner of both a blackberry and an iphone... the people that haven't used an iphone and don't have a smartphone like a trio or blackjack or a blackberry really need to be quiet on the subject of ownership of such a device.

1st thing- Iphone can do nearly the same thing as a blackberry.
-It syncs up all calenders and contacts (I'm sure if apple wanted to it could have created an it master prog to have it compatible with existing blackberry crap). Think of it as a great PERSONAL phone opposed to a corporate blackberry. It's supposed to be used for fun and a little bit of business not just business --- like a blackberry.

2nd thing- Not everything is perfect...
-Why in the hell didn't apple simply add the ability to add mp3 ringtones like EVERY OTHER PHONE in the world? The mere fact that they will most likely do it on an downloadable update is stupid.

3rd thing- It really works...
-Say what you will... it works and alot better than other phones that are on the market. Yeah, some things like the recessed headphone jack and the battery that must be replaced by apple is pretty dumb...however, that is the way of the world. With that aside, how many of you have a phone that has pretty amazing 3d graphics, can connect to WIFI, display webpages better than any other phone on the market and do so with the visual grace and performance better than a nokia N95? (I was going to get the N95 but the absolute lack of battery performance makes the phone more than a liability).

Not perfect... but it the Iphone certainly raises the bar in regard to handsets.

[Ayle @ Jul 4th 2007 7:37PM]

cough*XDA Flame*cough..... the only think I like about the iPhone is the UI...

[Chase Hoeppner @ Jul 4th 2007 5:31PM]

FOR ALL YOU WHO SAY APPLE MAKES ALOT OF MONEY OFF THIS YOUR WRONG!!!! ok yes they do make some money but what about all the business men and women who need more that one battery for a long business trip where they cant use their chargers!!!!! Apple could sell replacement or extra batteries for $100 and then not have to pay for peoples shipping for their replacement of their batteries and not have to pay for people to replace those batteries.

[Archietype @ Jul 4th 2007 5:37PM]

Ignoring the price of the replacement, the thing that surprises me the most is the three day turnaround. That's just not good enough when it comes to a device that you carry around all the time. Surely it would have made more sense for you to be able to go into an Apple store and have your battery replaced on the same day by in-store technicians.

[simon.nutsy @ Jul 4th 2007 5:44PM]

Wow Apple sure know how to rip its costomers off.

$120 for a 20 dollor reshaped USB dock and ipod styled BT headset, $100 dollors for a 10 dollors battery cell... Its good to know when i buy Apple products i know im getting good value for money...

Oh wait thats why i hate Apple over priced rip off artists.

Just so you know. Most ipods mobile phones and other portable devices use a simuler model of Li-ion thin battery cell usealy around 3.7 v. These cells cost around 5-15 dollors each depending on the capacity. At best the iphone would be using the 2000mAh capacity or more likly the 1000mAh due to size. The smaller battery costs 5 dollros per unit the charget 20 dollors. And the 2000mAh unit costs about 10 dollors... Let me do the math here... 100 Dollors for a 5 dollor battery umm I might be wrong A 95 dollors over charge. Smaller comapanys get shut down for such gorss over charging.

[Erik @ Jul 4th 2007 6:10PM]

But you're forgetting the $90 charge to actually open and close the iPhone...

[kt @ Jul 5th 2007 1:09AM]

wow yeah.
Just look at those dollors add up. Man. Pretty soon you'll be all out of monoy. It is ridiculous that there isn't an easier way to change the battery, but then Apple does have a reputation for being control freaks. Maybe they don't want other people making replacement batteries? Who knows. I want one, but I'm waiting till at least 2nd gen before I get one.

[Dane @ Jul 4th 2007 6:06PM]

3 day turnaround is not good, going to a cingular (woops, meant "new ATT) or apple store should be same day. However, it does mention that they will give you a phone while you wait... (this whole thing is negated if the owner of an iphone has another spare cell phone laying around (which MANY do have). A person can pop out the SIM and pop it into their old beater cell phone and the problem is solved for 3 days...

[Shazzer @ Jul 5th 2007 5:12AM]

Agree on all points. My initial reaction to the non-usuer-replaceable battery was that the transaction ought to be "while-you-wait"...kind of like a a 15-minute oil change. Then again, I always have my most recently retired cellphone to use as a back-up.

Maybe this was part of a Master Plan to build even more loyalty? Forcing people to go back to their old phones for a couple days every 15 months or so will only reinforce how amazing their iPhone is...?

[Rusty @ Jul 4th 2007 6:08PM]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.........suckers!
Got to hand it to Jobs. He knows you fanboys are dumb enough to buy whatever "steve the god" throws out. When version 2.0 comes out, see how much your precious 1.0 iPhones are worth.....NOTHING. This from the same guy who came up with the Newton.

[Raj @ Jul 4th 2007 6:10PM]

As the say, there is a sucker born every second...specially true since June 29th...nothing wrong with taking advantage of them...they will gladly pay the Jobs Tax...

Just shows you, how well the capitalism and suckers mix...

[Sonyc @ Jul 4th 2007 6:28PM]

This battery program was available from day one.

[DBX00 @ Jul 4th 2007 6:34PM]

This battery replacement is for people outside the warranty window. It's pretty simple, if you purchase the Apple Care plan (as you would with any other apple product), it covers you for two years. Assuming this warranty cost around $70 it would allow you to send in your Iphone close to the end of the two year period to get a battery that will last you another two years. That equals 4 years of battery out of a device that you will probably utilize for 2-3 years. I don't ever anticipate using the battery replacement program b/c it only makes sense to purchase the extended warranty that will cover the replacement of the battery. However, if they were to not cover the battery replacement then Apple is screwing consumers. I've dealt with Apple for awhile and I don't see them leaving people out to dry as long as your smart enough to keep your device under warranty for the next two years and utilize it before it ends to get a new battery or Iphone.

[porkchameleon @ Jul 4th 2007 6:55PM]

$100? Personally, I don't really care.

It's a rather strange strategy, on one hand, but when you buy a new cool car you don't expect to pay peanuts for upkeep, right? Form factor of the device could be something which wouldn't allow just to change the battery - are there any inside shots of the iPhone on the web?

Rather good point about those traveling and who might need an extra battery on the road, but aren't there portable chargers just for these cases?

[Dinraj @ Jul 4th 2007 7:09PM]

What happens when I'm traveling? Cross-country? Applecare is like AMEX? They replace whereever in the world you are?

[DavidP @ Jul 4th 2007 7:20PM]

What about external battery packs for traveling?

http://www.batterygeek.net/iPod_and_PSP_Battery_Packs_s/4.htm

It is a bit bulky but the thing will still get your phone charged while on the move. I am not sure if those will work with the iPhone but I am sure there will be some coming out (if these don't work).

Also who said you need to have Apple replace your battery? It is the same thing with the iPod you didn't hear people whining that they couldn't switch the battery out of that (which you can). There will always be iTechs and iMods. These overbearing prices just re-enforces outside tech companies.

Who's ever comment it was about iPhone battery being good for 300-400 charges; this doesn't mean after 400 charges that the battery STOPS working, it just looses some of it's juice. How much? Is something you should cite when making such a reference.

dP

[Concura @ Jul 5th 2007 2:04AM]

"Also who said you need to have Apple replace your battery? It is the same thing with the iPod you didn't hear people whining that they couldn't switch the battery out of that (which you can). There will always be iTechs and iMods. These overbearing prices just re-enforces outside tech companies."


It becomes a big liability to the user/owner when it comes to DIY battery replacement or mods. You gotta remember it's a $500/$600 phone (depending on model) that the user will be using for the next 2 years, not to mention all additional costs associated with the contract. The iPhone casing isn't built like the iPods, and iPhone batteries are soldered to the circuit. Some people might not want to risk messing up with disassembling their lil gadget just to replace a battery when they could have it professionally done by Apple with peace of mind.
Anyways, I wouldn't mind doing it myself if I had an iPhone that needed a new bat. I'd just be cringing a little at the thought of it though.