Apple’s battery-gate: are we being ripped off or helped? Decide for yourself

Big companies and scandals. It happens so often these days that you almost ask yourself if it’s not just part of the marketing strategy. Consider Volkswagen’s tampering software, the bribery scandal of a Samsung executive and the sexual harassment and discrimination at Uber. And now iPhone maker Apple is also on the case.

We wrote about it before. For years, it was a persistent rumor: Apple would deliberately deteriorate its devices through software updates so that their lifespan would deteriorate and, as a result, you would have to make a new purchase sooner. Of course, this was always dismissed by the tech giant, but this time they couldn’t ignore it anymore. About three weeks ago, a Reddit user rekindled the rumor, whereupon Geekbench conducted a series of tests. And what turned out: the iPhones 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, SE, 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus do indeed have their speed reduced through software updates.

Sorry or no sorry?

And then it was time for Apple to finally respond to battery-gate. A week or two later, a letter of apology. In it, they apologize for the fact that customers may feel let down. They understand that people think Apple purposefully deteriorates phones so they are more likely to switch to a newer model, but they say they still have their customers’ best interests at heart.

The company admits that they are deliberately delaying the phones, but that they are not doing so to give their customers a leg up. On the contrary, they do so to lend a hand to their customers. The lithium batteries in an iPhone do not have eternal life. As you use the device longer and more intensively, the battery deteriorates. And that’s right, that’s never been a secret either. And for this, Apple (by its own admission) has come up with a solution. Indeed, with new iOS updates, the company delayed phones with an already deteriorating battery to counteract the fact that during a phone call you won’t suddenly find yourself with a dead battery.

(Silence) is consent, right?

If that is the truth it sounds very noble, however, the problem is that they forgot to mention this “useful feature” to the general public. So what they also “forgot” to mention is the fact that your phone with a new battery so can be like new again. Despite the fact that Apple has its customers’ best interests at heart, so many consumers are on their toes that it could be a very expensive mistake. Several groups, meanwhile, are already calling the iPhone maker
have taken the company to court
and, as it goes in America, should they be vindicated, it could cost the company billions.

Also in
France
Apple will most likely have to answer in court, as since 2015 it has been a crime there to intentionally deteriorate well-functioning devices. To be continued thus…

Apple’s making up

Another part of Apple’s apology is the offer to have your iPhone’s battery replaced at a deep discount. Normally it would cost you at least €89, but throughout 2018 you can stop by for a new battery for €29.

The company also promises that an iOS update in early 2018 will shed more light on battery life, allowing users to see how the battery affects the device’s performance.

Whether Apple has been ripping off its customers for years or just trying to help them, that is for you to decide. In any case, ThePhoneLab recommends that anyone with an iPhone prefer a new battery to a new device. It’s better for the environment, it’s many times cheaper than a new phone, and your old phone will be all over again like new.