iPhone Battery Replacement An Unwelcome Surprise

epidemic99 writes "Apple has released what it will cost to replace the battery in the iPhone, and consumers might be a bit put off. Replacement is a tricky ordeal, as the battery is apparently soldered into the device. The service will cost $79, plus $6.95 for shipping, plus an optional $29 'loaner iPhone' rental. A consumer advocacy group sent a letter to Apple complaining that this information was not made public before iPhone's release since the cost of the battery replacement is so high. Even reviewer Harvey Rosenfield, who is usually very kind to Apple, was quoted as saying 'some of them might be waking up now, wondering who they got in bed with.'" Update: 07/06 21:06 GMT by Z : Fixed incorrect attribution of quote to Mossberg.

Comments

no surprise, part of the plan

[acvh]

from what I have read the battery will work efficiently through about two years of "normal" usage. two years from now there will be a new iPhone, and given the choice of paying $120 for a new battery (and loaner) versus $500 for the inevitably cooler NEW iPhone, my guess is that most will opt for the new phone. more $ for Apple. i would expect a wave of used iPhones on eBay around the same time. maybe i'll get one then.

Warranty repair?

[daveywest]

In addition, Rosenfield said, replacing the iPhone battery should be free to begin with while the product is under its one-year warranty. And I want Nintendo to replace the batteries in my Wii remote every time they run low. Seriously, a battery is a consumable. Anyone who is using all the reported 300-400 charge cycles in two years is probally going to break something else first. Don't forget, they had the cash to plunk down $600 on a cell phone in the first place.

You apple bashers don't understand something

[Azureflare]

I got an iPhone, not primarily for the iPhone feature, but for the iPod. I have gotten rid of my iPod nano (gave it to my mom) and now use my iPhone as my iPod. The phone part of it is just a nice feature. Honestly, I'm not surprised at the battery issue at all. I had a 4G iPod and I went through the same issues; it really isn't that bad. Now if the battery was $150, I think we'd have reason to complain. I think apple is being very reasonable. If anyone bought an iPhone without knowing this is how Apple functions, I feel sorry for you. This is Apple, not Sandisk.

If you bought an iPhone without being familiar with Apple, and without doing preliminary research, and can't accept this battery replacement policy, you need to understand something: it's entirely your fault. No one forced you to buy the iPhone. Anyone that plops down $670 for a product without doing preliminary research on the company deserves what they get.

For instance, searching for "apple battery life" on google, gives this as the first non-apple result: iPod and iPhone Battery FAQ. This site was updated with information the day of the launch of the iPhone.

Personally, my iPhone keeps on growing on me every day. I feel that it's going to just get better over time. If I hadn't bought one, I would definitely get one of the 2nd gens and I may upgrade to that anyway, and sell my used one on ebay or give it to my sister.

Re:300-400 charges, at least 2-3 years

[InvalidError]

Deep-cycling is a killer for all battery chemistries. One of my friends used to deep-cycle his cordless phone and his batteries lasted only about a year each. I convinced him to try putting his phone on the base station each night with his new battery and it is still going strong after more than three years of service. Me, I leave my cell phones plugged in whenever I am home and my NiMH batteries lasted at least three years each while my current Li-ion one is nearly four years old and still going strong.

From all the stuff I read about different battery technologies, keeping cells fully charged whenever possible (without overcharging) is the best way of maximizing a battery's useful lifespan... and it seems this is even more important/effective with lithium batteries.