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Apple Will Replace Old iPhone Batteries Regardless of Diagnostic Test Results (macrumors.com)
After apologizing to customers for slowing older iPhones down as the batteries degrade, Apple has started offering battery swaps for $29. This has led to some confusion as Apple did not clarify how it qualified batteries as eligible for the discounted replacement, as the Apple Genius Bar uses a diagnostic test to check whether a battery can retain 80 percent of its original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles. According to Mac Rumors, Apple has confirmed that they will replace the battery if your iPhone 6 or later even if it passes a Genius Bar diagnostic test. From the report: Apple has since independently confirmed to MacRumors that it will agree to replace an eligible battery for a $29 fee, regardless of whether an official diagnostic test shows that it is still able to retain less than 80 percent of its original capacity. The concession appears to have been made to mollify the anger of customers stoked by headlines suggesting that Apple artificially slows down older iPhones to drive customers to upgrade to newer models. Anecdotal reports also suggest that customers who paid $79 to have their battery replaced before the new pricing came into effect on Saturday, December 30, will receive a refund from Apple upon request.
I had my old iPhone 6 battery replaced today for $29+tax. The free "Battery Life" app said the raw data on the battery was about 39% of capacity (700mAh of 1810mAh) while the in-store Apple diag said it was 91% good.. The Apple Genius only asked if I was sure I wanted it replaced. I said, "yes please". Then they gave me the speech about everything is void if they find 3rd party parts in the phone and would NOT replace a non-apple battery at all. It took them 2 hours. After the replacement the free battery app says 100% good (1810mAh of 1810mAh). All I know is the old battery only lasted 15 minutes playing Jedi Challenges... I have not had time to try the new battery yet.