Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
iOS 11.3 Beta to Get Throttling Kill Switch in February as Apple Trials 'Reserve a Battery' System in Canada [Updated]
Following a report that the United States government is investigating Apple's power management function that slows down some older iPhone models, Apple issued a statement on late Tuesday confirming that it has "received questions from some government agencies" and is "responding to them."
In the statement, Apple also confirmed the timing of its promised power management toggle, allowing customers with an iPhone 6 through iPhone 7 Plus to disable the function: it will be rolling out in a future iOS 11.3 beta version in February. The software update will be publicly released later this spring.
Apple's full statement was shared by Axios earlier today:
In related news, Apple recently added a "Reserve a Battery" option to its support website in Canada. This system, not available elsewhere yet, allows customers with an iPhone 6 or newer to reserve a battery online and have Apple contact them when a battery is available at their preferred Apple Store.
This system can be found by signing into your Apple ID on Apple's Get Support page and selecting Battery, Power, and Charging → Battery Replacement → Reserve a Battery. These steps can also be completed in the Apple Store app on the iPhone itself without needing to enter a serial number.
A tipster named K.C. told us that Canada is a trial country, suggesting Apple may choose to expand this reservation system to other regions.
Apple promises to contact customers within three to five days to let them know when their battery replacement can be completed. Its support website currently quotes an estimated two to four week wait in Canada.
MacRumors previously obtained an internal Apple memo that stated iPhone 6 Plus replacement batteries were in short supply and unavailable until late March or early April around the world. Apple's internal document quoted a shorter wait of "approximately two weeks" for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s Plus batteries.
Apple said batteries for all other eligible iPhones were expected to be available "without extended delays" in most countries.
In addition to probes from the United States government, over 50 class action complaints have been filed against Apple since it fully disclosed the power management changes it made in iOS 10.2.1, nearly a year after the update was released. Apple apologized for its lack of communication in a letter to customers.
Update: While Apple has yet to add a dedicated "Reserve a Battery" button to its U.S. support site, the company is asking customers in the United States who need a battery replacement to contact Apple support via a phone call or online chat session to reserve a battery before visiting an Apple Store. Calling ahead of time should prevent customers from going to an Apple Store only to find that the necessary battery is out of stock.
In the statement, Apple also confirmed the timing of its promised power management toggle, allowing customers with an iPhone 6 through iPhone 7 Plus to disable the function: it will be rolling out in a future iOS 11.3 beta version in February. The software update will be publicly released later this spring.
Apple's full statement was shared by Axios earlier today:
About a year ago, we delivered a software update that improves power management during peak workloads to avoid unexpected shutdowns on certain iPhones with older batteries. We know that iPhones have become an important part of the daily lives of our customers and our intention was to improve the customer experience.Apple's power management function can also be sidestepped by replacing an iPhone's battery if necessary. We've previously outlined steps on how to initiate this process at an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.
We sought to further improve the customer experience in December by announcing a significant discount on replacement batteries for certain iPhones. We also announced that we began developing a new iOS feature to show battery health and which would recommend when the user should consider replacing their battery. These actions were taken to further assist our customers and help extend the life of their iPhones. In addition, users will be able to see if the power management feature is being used to prevent unexpected shutdowns, and turn if off if they so choose. These features will be included in a developer release next month and a user release this Spring.
As we told our customers in December, 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. Making iPhones last as long as possible is an important part of that.
We have received questions from some government agencies and we are responding to them.
In related news, Apple recently added a "Reserve a Battery" option to its support website in Canada. This system, not available elsewhere yet, allows customers with an iPhone 6 or newer to reserve a battery online and have Apple contact them when a battery is available at their preferred Apple Store.
This system can be found by signing into your Apple ID on Apple's Get Support page and selecting Battery, Power, and Charging → Battery Replacement → Reserve a Battery. These steps can also be completed in the Apple Store app on the iPhone itself without needing to enter a serial number.
A tipster named K.C. told us that Canada is a trial country, suggesting Apple may choose to expand this reservation system to other regions.
Apple promises to contact customers within three to five days to let them know when their battery replacement can be completed. Its support website currently quotes an estimated two to four week wait in Canada.
MacRumors previously obtained an internal Apple memo that stated iPhone 6 Plus replacement batteries were in short supply and unavailable until late March or early April around the world. Apple's internal document quoted a shorter wait of "approximately two weeks" for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s Plus batteries.
Apple said batteries for all other eligible iPhones were expected to be available "without extended delays" in most countries.
In addition to probes from the United States government, over 50 class action complaints have been filed against Apple since it fully disclosed the power management changes it made in iOS 10.2.1, nearly a year after the update was released. Apple apologized for its lack of communication in a letter to customers.
Update: While Apple has yet to add a dedicated "Reserve a Battery" button to its U.S. support site, the company is asking customers in the United States who need a battery replacement to contact Apple support via a phone call or online chat session to reserve a battery before visiting an Apple Store. Calling ahead of time should prevent customers from going to an Apple Store only to find that the necessary battery is out of stock.
Tags: Canada, iPhone Slowdown
[ 156 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
21 months ago
"I'd like my phone to turn off unexpectedly instead of running slowly."
Choices are good, I guess.
Choices are good, I guess.
21 months ago
I am going to try this AND get free battery. They is no reason I should have 10 second delay on typing text messages and very slow email (all since ios11). They lied when they said it slows things down SOME. its a heck of a lot.
21 months ago
What will all the Apple haters who post on macrumors have to complain about now?
Blaming the consumer for product issues created by a corporation?I'm an annual upgrader so I never experienced the speed throttling issue. But over the holidays I saw a lot of family and experienced their perspective of the throttling first hand. Its bad. Like, "This phone is unusable. I guess I should buy a new phone bad." And whether it was Apples intention or not, there are a lot of iPhones being sold to people who wouldn't have spent $800 for an upgrade if they knew that the solution to their awful phone experience was a battery pack or a $79 battery replacement.
Its a shame that this battery situation has come to this but the complaints are legitimate.
21 months ago
"I'd like my phone to turn off unexpectedly instead of running slowly."
Choices are good, I guess.
21 months ago
"I'd like my phone to turn off unexpectedly instead of running slowly."
Choices are good, I guess.
21 months ago
"I'd like my phone to turn off unexpectedly instead of running slowly."
Choices are good, I guess.
I'd like my phone designed so that its peak power draw doesn't cause it to unexpectedly shutdown for batteries that show typical and expected wear patterns. In other words, like how every iPhone model other than the iPhone 6 was designed.
21 months ago
I am an absolute Apple-lover, not hater.
But this switch was the obvious thing to do in the first place. Give the user the choice.
But this switch was the obvious thing to do in the first place. Give the user the choice.
21 months ago
Apple user experience is going down the drain. Apple has become just one of many greedy companies that just want nothing else but your money. Good news is we have more choices than ever nowadays :-)
21 months ago
They is no reason I should have 10 second delay on typing text messages and very slow email (all since ios11).
"I'd like my phone to turn off unexpectedly instead of running slowly."
Choices are good, I guess.
I still think they should label this switch "Crash my Phone"
If these are the choices people have, either have their iPhone run like crap, or have it crash, I think Apple needs to re-think their design in batteries, hardware, and software. This shouldn't be a choice.Also, it was not just "old" iPhones that were having shutdown issues. My 6s Plus was having the issues, and it was not old at all. When I called Apple Care, the rep on the phone said that he was getting a lot of calls just like mine. It sounds like it was either a flaw in the design, or a bad lot of batteries.
IMO, Apple just tried to fix their hardware error with software.
21 months ago
"I'd like my phone to turn off unexpectedly instead of running slowly."
Choices are good, I guess.
I'd like they'd tell me what they're doing and then I decide if buy a new phone or change battery or let my phone to turn off unexpectedly.
[ Read All Comments ]
The non-profit Wi-Fi Alliance today announced the release of the Wi-Fi 6 certification program, noting that devices with the Wi-Fi 6 Certified logo will meet the "highest standards for security...
MacRumors has partnered with Anker again this week to offer our readers a chance to save on nine accessories, including USB-C chargers, wireless chargers, Lightning cables, and portable battery...
New to Apple Watch Series 5 models is a built-in compass that allows users to see which way they are facing, complete with a new Compass app that displays heading, incline, latitude, longitude, and...
Mophie this week launched a new wireless charging stand for any Qi-enabled smartphone, including the latest iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max devices. The accessory is available on Mophie's...
Amazon is offering customers a chance to save when pre-ordering the Apple Watch Series 5, which is set to be released this Friday, September 20. The retailer's sale is focused on select models of...
Apple premiered its first TV show at the Tribeca TV Festival on Saturday. Dickinson is a period drama that centers on the life of 19th century American poet Emily Dickinson, played by pop star Hailee...
Apple's biggest product unveiling of the year is now in our rear-view mirror, with the company taking the wraps off of new iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad models while also prepping for the launch...
On the same day that iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max pre-orders began, some customers are already beginning to see their order statuses shift from "processing" to...
