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Wait Times for iPhone Battery Replacements Increasing
Customers aiming to get a battery replacement for an older iPhone with a degraded battery are facing longer wait times than ever, according to new data shared by Barclays.
Average wait times for a new battery have jumped up to 2.7 to 4.5 weeks based on a series of Apple Store checks conducted by Barclays analyst Mark Moskowitz (via Business Insider). That's up from around 2.3 to 4.5 weeks earlier in the year.
MacRumors has received complaints from customers who are facing long wait times for replacements and who have, in some cases, been waiting for weeks to hear back from Apple about previously requested battery replacements.
When you initiate a battery replacement from Apple, stores typically need to order the part from Apple and then let you know when the new battery arrives, so getting a fresh battery isn't as simple as scheduling a Genius Bar appointment.
Wait times vary based on location and by the device that needs the battery replacement. Batteries for devices like the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s are harder to come by than batteries for the iPhone 7, and for some devices, like the iPhone 6 Plus, battery wait times have ranged into months.
Back in January, Apple said that for the iPhone 6 Plus, which is no longer being sold, replacement batteries are in such short supply that customers will need to wait until March or April for a new battery.
Customers who are seeking Genius Bar appointments for battery replacements are also crowding out appointment slots for customers with other issues, which is a problem in areas with few Apple Stores.
According to Barclays, the increased battery wait time suggests demand for replacement batteries remains strong, and it indicates an increasing number of iPhone users are opting to take advantage of Apple's $29 battery replacements instead of purchasing a new iPhone.
Barclays previously said that Apple's program could result in millions of fewer iPhone purchases during 2018, something Apple CEO Tim Cook recently said Apple did not take into account when choosing to implement the program in the first place. From Cook:
The power management features have the potential to slow down older iPhones with degraded batteries in order to prevent unexpected shutdowns, and after the issue faced widespread media attention in late 2017, Apple apologized for its lack of transparency and implemented new policies.
In addition to offering reduced cost battery replacements through the end of 2018, Apple is also introducing a new Battery Health feature in iOS 11.3 that lets customers see more detailed information about the status of their iPhone's battery.
For batteries that are degraded enough to be impacted by throttling, Apple also offers an option to turn off the performance management all together.
Power management features impact the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus, and for any affected iPhone, a new battery effectively fixes the issue.
Average wait times for a new battery have jumped up to 2.7 to 4.5 weeks based on a series of Apple Store checks conducted by Barclays analyst Mark Moskowitz (via Business Insider). That's up from around 2.3 to 4.5 weeks earlier in the year.
MacRumors has received complaints from customers who are facing long wait times for replacements and who have, in some cases, been waiting for weeks to hear back from Apple about previously requested battery replacements.
When you initiate a battery replacement from Apple, stores typically need to order the part from Apple and then let you know when the new battery arrives, so getting a fresh battery isn't as simple as scheduling a Genius Bar appointment.
Wait times vary based on location and by the device that needs the battery replacement. Batteries for devices like the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s are harder to come by than batteries for the iPhone 7, and for some devices, like the iPhone 6 Plus, battery wait times have ranged into months.
Back in January, Apple said that for the iPhone 6 Plus, which is no longer being sold, replacement batteries are in such short supply that customers will need to wait until March or April for a new battery.
Customers who are seeking Genius Bar appointments for battery replacements are also crowding out appointment slots for customers with other issues, which is a problem in areas with few Apple Stores.
According to Barclays, the increased battery wait time suggests demand for replacement batteries remains strong, and it indicates an increasing number of iPhone users are opting to take advantage of Apple's $29 battery replacements instead of purchasing a new iPhone.
Barclays previously said that Apple's program could result in millions of fewer iPhone purchases during 2018, something Apple CEO Tim Cook recently said Apple did not take into account when choosing to implement the program in the first place. From Cook:
We did it because we thought it was the right thing to do for our customers. I don't know what effect it will have for our investors. It was not in our thought process of deciding to do what we've done.Apple has been offering $29 battery replacements for the iPhone 6 and newer since the beginning of the year. Apple implemented the program after facing backlash from power management features that were introduced in iOS 10.2.1.
The power management features have the potential to slow down older iPhones with degraded batteries in order to prevent unexpected shutdowns, and after the issue faced widespread media attention in late 2017, Apple apologized for its lack of transparency and implemented new policies.
In addition to offering reduced cost battery replacements through the end of 2018, Apple is also introducing a new Battery Health feature in iOS 11.3 that lets customers see more detailed information about the status of their iPhone's battery.
For batteries that are degraded enough to be impacted by throttling, Apple also offers an option to turn off the performance management all together.
Power management features impact the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus, and for any affected iPhone, a new battery effectively fixes the issue.
Tag: iPhone Slowdown
[ 180 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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23 months ago
Most of these devices are out of warrenty. Are you kidding me! The fact that Apple is even providing this service is awesome. If you are in such a hurry ,just get iFixit or some other company to replace the battery. I have done it ,previously on my iPhone 4(5 years of use) , iPhone 5S(5 years of use). The 5S is still used by a family member.
BS... Apple won’t even provide this if there wasn’t 60 plus lawsuits from the throttling. Apple got caught for throttling customers phone without their consent. The fact they even charge for the repair is disgraceful
23 months ago
The lack of respect people feel they should give the people servicing these phones is mind boggling. People acting like they’re owed something, when the company is basically doing an extraordinary act of goodwill, replacing often perfectly healthy batteries at a loss just so the owners of the devices can berate and belittle people.
If you’re calling this a debacle, you should take a long hard look at how you appreciate those working around you.
If you’re calling this a debacle, you should take a long hard look at how you appreciate those working around you.
23 months ago
The lack of respect people feel they should give the people servicing these phones is mind boggling. People acting like they’re owed something, when the company is basically doing an extraordinary act of goodwill, replacing often perfectly healthy batteries at a loss just so the owners of the devices can berate and belittle people.
If you’re calling this a debacle, you should take a long hard look at how you appreciate those working around you.
Apple is a multi-billion dollar company, not my local charity. Give me a break.
23 months ago
The problem is that the media has grossly misreported the issue. Everyone is running to get a battery, including those who don't actually need it. If it were limited to people that actually needed a battery - those with below 80% capacity and those with performance issues (regardless of capacity) - there would likely be not nearly as much of a supply issue. The way the media is reporting the issue it's as if ALL batteries automatically need replacing, regardless of having any issues. This is absolutely what the general public believes. In fact many of them are referring to the issue as a recall of all iPhone batteries.
23 months ago
The process was an utter fiasco.
nope. It was an extra service. They are doing the best they can.Other companies wont even do that.
23 months ago
Glad I payed a premium price for this awesome level of service!
Ha!
23 months ago
The lack of respect people feel they should give the people servicing these phones is mind boggling. People acting like they’re owed something, when the company is basically doing an extraordinary act of goodwill, replacing often perfectly healthy batteries at a loss just so the owners of the devices can berate and belittle people.
If you’re calling this a debacle, you should take a long hard look at how you appreciate those working around you.
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