Apple apologizes for slowing down older iPhones and offers discounts
Consumers queue to repair products in an Apple Store on Huaihai Road M in Shanghai today.
Apple Inc apologized for slowing-down system with used batteries on older models and promised to cut battery replacement costs by over 60 percent globally including China, Shanghai Daily learned today.
"We know that some of you feel Apple has let you down. We apologize," Apple said in a statement.
Consumers can wait for further notices and replace their batteries with reduced price as early as January 10, a salesman of the Apple Store on Huaihai Road M told Shanghai Daily today.
It was an echo that Apple was found to “secretly” slow down maximum performance of iPhones with older batteries, which aims to avoid a system crash and sudden shutdown of the smartphone.
The “battery scandal”, which covers most iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 as well as Plus models, raised wide-range consumer outrages and even possible lawsuits.
The unannounced move by Apple has aroused anger among some Apple customers, who regarded Apple's secret handling of iPhones with older batteries as a trick to force them to buy newer but more expensive Apple devices.
As the latest move, Apple promised to replace all out-of-warranty iPhone batteries for iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 model with price of 218 yuan (US$33) between January and December, compared with original price of 608 yuan.
Globally, Apple will cut US$50 off the iPhone battery replacement for US$29 from US$79 originally.
