Apple activates iPhone 5 battery replacement program, to swap out affected parts for free
Apple on Friday announced a free replacement program for iPhone 5 batteries after discovering certain units sold during a five-month period after the product's launch in 2012 contain faulty components.
As noted by the program's dedicated webpage, Apple discovered a "very small percentage" of iPhone 5 handsets may suffer from unexpectedly short battery life due to an unannounced issue presumably related to manufacturing.
According to Apple, iPhone 5 units affected by the problem come from a batch sold between the product's launch in September 2012 through January 2013.
Owners who purchased their handset within that time period and are experiencing shortened battery life symptoms can check if their unit is eligible for replacement via Apple's website. A serial number is needed to process the request.
As with past replacement programs, users with affected iPhones will be required to take their handset in to an Apple Authorized Service Provider, Apple Store or send it off to Apple for examination prior to service in order to verify eligibility.
Aside from determining whether an iPhone contains one of the known-faulty batteries, the phone must be in working order to be eligible for a part swap. Any damage that would make replacement of the battery difficult, like a cracked screen, would first need to be fixed, meaning the swap-out could come at a cost.
For now, the initiative is limited to users in the U.S. and China, though coverage will be expanded to other countries on Aug. 29. Apple is extending the program to users with affected iPhone 5 batteries for two years after first retail sale or until Mar. 1, 2015, whichever provides longer coverage.
The program's start comes just weeks before Apple is expected to reveal a next-generation iPhone lineup on Sept. 9.
As noted by the program's dedicated webpage, Apple discovered a "very small percentage" of iPhone 5 handsets may suffer from unexpectedly short battery life due to an unannounced issue presumably related to manufacturing.
According to Apple, iPhone 5 units affected by the problem come from a batch sold between the product's launch in September 2012 through January 2013.
Owners who purchased their handset within that time period and are experiencing shortened battery life symptoms can check if their unit is eligible for replacement via Apple's website. A serial number is needed to process the request.
As with past replacement programs, users with affected iPhones will be required to take their handset in to an Apple Authorized Service Provider, Apple Store or send it off to Apple for examination prior to service in order to verify eligibility.
Aside from determining whether an iPhone contains one of the known-faulty batteries, the phone must be in working order to be eligible for a part swap. Any damage that would make replacement of the battery difficult, like a cracked screen, would first need to be fixed, meaning the swap-out could come at a cost.
For now, the initiative is limited to users in the U.S. and China, though coverage will be expanded to other countries on Aug. 29. Apple is extending the program to users with affected iPhone 5 batteries for two years after first retail sale or until Mar. 1, 2015, whichever provides longer coverage.
The program's start comes just weeks before Apple is expected to reveal a next-generation iPhone lineup on Sept. 9.
Comments
No surprise, the 5 I bought for my daughter is one of those affected. No surprise, the replacement process is limited to the US. No surprise, I have already replaced the battery myself.
Mine is qualified too - I hope the third party manufacturer is eating the cost.
Um...
There you go TS, I said there was a battery life issue and you said there wasn't.
No surprise, the 5 I bought for my daughter is one of those affected. No surprise, the replacement process is limited to the US. No surprise, I have already replaced the battery myself.
If it makes you feel any better, those in the US who have the same problem will likely fall into 1 of 2 categories.
1) Already replaced the battery themselves.
2) Signed up for a new 2 yr. contract last year or will be doing so this year and will therefore not need a replacement battery.
This will matter most to those iPhone owners who can't afford to upgrade their phone (AKA, teenagers).
Apple usually limits these quality program's to the US only to begin with and then other countries usually follow in due course.
If you have paid Apple for a replacement battery and your phone is eligible for the program, Apple will usually refund the repair cost (based on my experience with previous quality program's.)
There you go TS, I said there was a battery life issue and you said there wasn't.
TS was certainly referring to a different battery life issue that doesn't exist. ;-)
I'm going to have it replaced because I haven't yet decided if I'm going to sell it, trade it, or keep it upon the I phone 6 launch.
This is one of the reasons I still look at AppleInsider daily, to get important news. My iPhone 5 has been having battery problems for months, and coincidentally today it finally died completely! Just checked and it qualifies for the free battery. Thank you AI for the news and helping hopefully getting my phone fixed tonight.
If it makes you feel any better, those in the US who have the same problem will likely fall into 1 of 2 categories.
1) Already replaced the battery themselves.
2) Signed up for a new 2 yr. contract last year or will be doing so this year and will therefore not need a replacement battery.
This will matter most to those iPhone owners who can't afford to upgrade their phone (AKA, teenagers).
Hmm... I'm over 40 and have a good job, and this helps me. Still have my original battery, still on my original 2012 two-year contract, my phone died completely today - can't charge, and already made my Genius bar appointment for tonight to hopefully get a new battery. Oh well, so much for that theory.
Good to hear you'll get treated right after getting some bum hardware! I've never had to deal with such issues, but I'd sure be frustrated if I did.
No, the replacement programme isn't limited to the US. It starts in US and China, and will then be extended to other countries.
Hope you enjoy your surprise.
It is. When I had mine replaced several months ago, the Apple Store staff told me that Apple wouldn't be absorbing any of the costs, nor for the power button issue that I had.
There was clearly a quality control failure with a batch of iPhone 5 models. It's right that the third party manufacturers should be liable for the cost. Let's hope that the next iPhone doesn't suffer similar issues.
I wouldn't make that assumption. My iPhone 5 is scheduled to become my unlocked international travel phone as soon as the new model is released. I need it to last at least another two years. Mine might be covered but so far I have had no battery issues.
Well, I had to replace the battery within a year and a half on my iPhone 5, and I bought the thing in October after the launch. But the serial number wasn't in the precise range they accept, so no refund.
That's a shame. If the problem had asserted itself six months earlier, they would have probably replaced it for free.
There you go TS, I said there was a battery life issue and you said there wasn't.
No surprise, the 5 I bought for my daughter is one of those affected. No surprise, the replacement process is limited to the US. No surprise, I have already replaced the battery myself.
From Apple Web site... "If you believe your iPhone 5 was affected by this issue, and you paid to replace your battery, you can contact Apple about a refund."
There you go TS, I said there was a battery life issue and you said there wasn't.
No surprise, the 5 I bought for my daughter is one of those affected. No surprise, the replacement process is limited to the US. No surprise, I have already replaced the battery myself.
From Apple Web site... "If you believe your iPhone 5 was affected by this issue, and you paid to replace your battery, you can contact Apple about a refund."
Really? Come on. Teenagers don’y buy iPhones. Their parents do. In fact I know a teenager who is now 32 years old and guess what? Her parents are STILL paying for her mobile service even though she moved away and in with her boyfriend. Really, what galaxy do you live in to say that teenagers can’t afford to replace their batteries? Mommy and Daddy do that.