longfang

TheObannonFile said:

Lame. They already cost enough. Profit margins are very high. And cost to build goes down the entire life cycle of the device.

I’m all about business and profit, but this seems unnecessary.

avon b7 said:

mayfly said:

avon b7 said:

mayfly said:

muthuk_vanalingam said:

charlesn said:

Now that the tools and instructions are available, I'd love to know the stats on what percentage of iPhone users are self-repairing their own phones. Wait, let me rephrase: I'd love to know what tiny fraction of 1% of iPhone users are doing this. There's a reason that companies like Radio Shack and Heathkit, which catered to the "electronics hobbyist" crowd, went out of business decades ago: their customer base died off and wasn't replaced by a new generation. Time, for the vast majority of people, is worth money... and expending that time/money to repair something they likely have no experience repairing--while also risking the cost of replacing the device they're repairing if they screw up--is a really bad investment vs the cost of having Apple or a repair shop do it. Let's do the math:

Replace iPhone 13 or earlier battery at Apple Store: $89. Done by appointment or while you wait. Leave immediately with a guaranteed new Apple battery and working phone.

Self-replace iPhone 13 battery with iFixIt kit: $40 + $9 shipping (5-10 business days til you receive it--higher shipping prices if you want it sooner.) Initial savings: $40. Kit includes 7 different tools needed to replace the battery, plus a non-OEM battery. If you manage to do the job in 2.5 hours and not screw up your phone in the process, congratulations: you will have paid yourself the minimum hourly wage in many states. Oh: even if you do the job 100% right, your battery health utility will never work again--that's per the iFixIt warning. And if you don't do it right and have to bring your phone in for repairs that won't be covered by warranty? Or maybe don't get the adhesives sealed properly and drop your phone in the water where it will leak? That's all on your dime and will cost you the equivalent of many battery replacements by Apple. 

This is nonsensical on multiple levels. USA is NOT the entire world. Apple has customers not just in USA, but rest of the world as well. The important questions to be asked are:
1. What percentage of Apple users do NOT have easy access to Apple stores in the entire world?
2. Among them, how many of them did NOT have an option to get their iPhones repaired with the help of 3rd party technicians (with the necessary expertise to perform a battery replacement in an iPhone) with OEM parts?
3. How many of Apple's customers were forced to go for shady battery replacements because Apple stores do not exist in their area and Apple did not provide OEM parts for even skilled 3rd party technicians to perform battery replacements.
4. If Apple store access is ultra-critical to user experience, should Apple STOP selling iPhones in areas/countries where Apple stores do NOT exist? If not, should Apple instruct its hard-core fans to stop criticizing others who do not have easy access to Apple stores when they raise valid issues?

Your questions can be answered and resolved. Any iPhone or user of any Apple product can go online, or call AppleCare at 800-275-2273 and ask Apple to mail them a box to send in their device for repair or replacement. Shipping is free, and Apple even includes a call tag so all you have to do is put it on the box and send it in. Within a couple of days, your guaranteed repair is returned, again, with no shipping fee. My wife dropped her new iPad on the driveway and smashed her screen. We had AppleCare and sent it in. In 3 days, we had a brand new iPad returned to us, for the $49 AppleCare Plus terms. So always buy AppleCare Plus, and sleep well, my friend.

That doesn't resolve the underlying issue and requires users to purchase AppleCare+. 

Let's not forget the true focus of the batteries directive:

"Batteries are thus an important source of energy and one of the key enablers for sustainable development, green mobility, clean energy and climate neutrality. It is expected that the demand for batteries will grow rapidly in the coming years, notably for electric road transport vehicles and light means of transport using batteries for traction, making the market for batteries an increasingly strategic one at the global level. Significant scientific

and technical progress in the field of battery technology will continue. In view of the strategic importance of batteries, to provide legal certainty to all operators involved and to avoid discrimination, barriers to trade and distortions on the market for batteries, it is

necessary to set out rules on the sustainability, performance, safety, collection, recycling

and second life of batteries as well as on information about batteries for end-users and economic operators. It is necessary to create a harmonised regulatory framework for dealing with the entire life cycle of batteries that are placed on the market in the Union."

My bold in there. 

Only having Apple as the gatekeeper (pun intended) doesn't answer or solve any problems in terms of the EU stance. 

It actually adds to them. 

You don't need AppleCare to send a device in for repair. It will just cost you the standard flat rate for that repair.

I can't parse what you want to happen from what you're saying. You've moved from not having an Apple Store around to a new invective about recycling the batteries. Apple will be more responsible about disposing of spent batteries than an unauthorized storefront repair shop. I'd encourage you to read Apple's policy on battery replacement and recycling, as stated by the company:
https://www.apple.com/batteries/service-and-recycling/

Apple's policy may well have to be modified within the EU. That is the point here. Current rules may change. 

AppleCare+ or standard fee, the battery would remain non-user replaceable (save for Apple's cumbersome and user unfriendly option of shipping out a huge repair kit).

There is nothing to suggest third party repair shops would be less responsible with disposal than Apple.

WEEE covers that. 

It's like suggesting independent mechanics are somehow less responsible for disposal of used oils. They are subject to laws and controls.

Apple doesn't recycle its batteries. That is outsourced (as is fabrication). 

Apple is quick to point out on its recycling page:

"If your device isn’t eligible for credit, we’ll recycle it for free. It’s good for you and the planet." 

Wait a second. Of course they will do it for free. Within the EU and under the WEEE directive, recycling or safe disposable costs are already included in the purchase price. It's been that way for years. Apple has no option but to do it 'for free'. 

And the idea that a device isn't elegible for credit is questionable too. Apple has already charged the customer for recycling but it also wants the device back so that it can recover many of the raw materials within it. 

In that case, no device should not be 'elegible' for credit because it stills holds great value for Apple. Surely the owner shouldn't have to give that value up? 

What Apple really means is 'It's good for the planet, OK for you and great for us'. 

There is no doubt it could be better for the user. 

samrod said:

The Apple iPad Pro offers a range of storage options, starting from 128GB and going up to a massive 2TB, catering to casual users and professionals who handle large files, and configuration options for up to 16GB of RAM.

No iPad has configuration options for RAM.