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Apple has begun an iPhone 5 Battery Replacement Program to replace the batteries of a small percentage of iPhone 5 units that have a faulty battery resulting in a shorter battery life and longer, more frequent charging times.
iPhone 5 devices exhibiting battery issues were sold between September of 2012 and January of 2013 and are eligible for a free battery replacement.
Apple has determined that a very small percentage of iPhone 5 devices may suddenly experience shorter battery life or need to be charged more frequently. The affected iPhone 5 devices were sold between September 2012 and January 2013 and fall within a limited serial number range.
If your iPhone 5 is experiencing these symptoms and meets the eligibility requirements noted below, Apple will replace your iPhone 5 battery, free of charge.
Apple says the issue affects only a "limited serial number range." iPhone 5 users can input their serial numbers on Apple's replacement site to find out whether their phones need a new battery. Those who do have a faulty battery can get a replacement through an Apple Authorized Service Provider, an Apple Retail Store, or through Apple Technical support.
Users who already paid to replace their batteries will be eligible to receive a refund for the cost of the battery from Apple. Apple's support site says the program covers iPhone 5 batteries for two years after the first retail sale of the unit or until March 1, 2015, whichever provides longer coverage. Replacements are available beginning today in the United States and China, with the program beginning in other countries on August 29.
In addition to the new Battery Replacement Program, Apple also has a replacement program for iPhone 5 units that have a faulty sleep/wake button, which also provides repairs at no cost. Some iPhone 5s units have also experienced faulty battery life but Apple opted to reach out individually to affected users rather than implementing a replacement program for those devices.
Top Rated Comments
Honestly, they really had to wait two years after a product is released to acknowledge a bug when most people who were effected by it already replaced the batteries at their own expense when they started acting up a long time ago and dying at 30% charge?
EDIT: My bad, I see they refund if you already paid for it. Still though, they really took their sweet time on this one. How many people who don't read macrumors and paid for replacements will know about this or bother to do it and get their refund? Feels like apple did this late to ensure that most people who need replacement batteries already paid for them at their own expense.
lucky me. my battery was suffering the last 6 months causing sudden shut down at even 20%. I had tried hard reset, setup as a new phone, nothing worked. And when i was about ready to buy a new battery...thank you Apple!
That's some loyalty there.
I told them, that it was bulls*it, because even my 4,5 year old 3gs still had better battery life.
Going to the store tomorrow.
This is too funny.