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.