Apple addresses iPhone performance controversy with $29 battery replacements

One of the more controversial stories of the month was the news that Apple throttles the performance of iPhones with older batteries. According to the company, this is done to enhance the user experience by preventing unexpected phone shutdowns that can occur when the phone draws more power than the aging (or cold) battery can deliver. However, the side effect is that as the phone's battery ages, the devices become noticeably slower.

The only solution is to get a battery replacement, a service for which Apple charged $79. It took some time but Apple has finally come out with an elaborate statement as well as some promises to appease its clients. First up, the company is cutting the price of battery replacements to just $29, but this is a limited offer that will run on in December 2018. Next, iPhone users can also expect an iOS update in early 2018 that will make it easier to check the battery health status. You can read the full statement over here.

To address our customers’ concerns, to recognize their loyalty and to regain the trust of anyone who may have doubted Apple’s intentions, we’ve decided to take the following steps:

Apple is reducing the price of an out-of-warranty iPhone battery replacement by $50 — from $79 to $29 — for anyone with an iPhone 6 or later whose battery needs to be replaced, starting in late January and available worldwide through December 2018. Details will be provided soon on apple.com.

Early in 2018, we will issue an iOS software update with new features that give users more visibility into the health of their iPhone’s battery, so they can see for themselves if its condition is affecting performance.

As always, our team is working on ways to make the user experience even better, including improving how we manage performance and avoid unexpected shutdowns as batteries age.