Is your iPhone 5 battery suddenly not holding a charge the way it used to? Apple might replace it for free

posted by Maxwell R. / Aug 22, 2014, 9:49 PM

Is your iPhone 5 battery suddenly not holding a charge the way it used to? Apple might replace it for free

Many iPhone 5 smartphones are approaching two year mark in terms of age. That is arguably three or more lifetimes in smartphone years. They are still perfectly viable devices, but electronics do endure a physical wear as well as a software burden over time too.

If your trusty iPhone 5 is working well, but the battery does not seem to be up to snuff, it appears Apple has discovered that a “small percentage” of iPhone 5 devices (not the 5s, or 5c) may “suddenly experience” a shorter battery life.

The iPhones in question were sold between September 2012 and January 2013, and Apple has identified the impacted group within a range of serial numbers. The company has set up a “serial number checker” where you can verify if your device is affected.

Apple has set up a battery replacement process in the US and China, and on August 29th, it will be available in other countries. If your device is eligible, you will be able to get it serviced at any authorized service provider, Apple store, or Apple tech support location. If there is any physical damage to your device (cracked screen for example), that will need to be fixed.

Check out the source link for all the details. If by chance you have a device that falls within the group, and already paid for a battery replacement, Apple will offer you a refund for the repair.

sources: Apple via Gizmodo

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39 Comments

1. Python212

Posts: 363; Member since: Aug 13, 2014

Props to Apple!! They're doing the right thing

posted on Aug 22, 2014, 9:51 PM 3

3. xperiaDROID

Posts: 5629; Member since: Mar 08, 2013

Apple is being forced to do this "right thing". Imagine what will happen to Apple if they charge their customers for problems like this? It will give Apple a bad image, and their customers will switch to other brand after that because the customers will think that all Apple wants is just the money.

posted on Aug 22, 2014, 10:19 PM 2

6. AlikMalix unregistered

How many times did any android vendors went out of the way to repair a problem for you after way after warranty ran out? When is Samsung going to replace the burn-in screen problem that AMOLED screens are experiencing? Or battery issues that affected 30% of consumers. My buddy called the manufacturer he was told he's not under warranty any longer even though they said in news that they'd replace batteries. "Forced" my ass. It's beyond warranty for iphone 5 since it was released almost 2 years ago.

posted on Aug 22, 2014, 10:43 PM 5

15. iushnt

Posts: 3054; Member since: Feb 06, 2013

Seeing the price and premium placement of iphones, this should never have happened. People expect too much of iPhones and this is what they get? Faulty components? And yes, samsung replaced the faulty phones of verizon which had rom problems stopping the camera of s5 to work. And what about other iPhone 5 owners apart from China or USA? Everyone won't be knowing that they had an option to replace battery even in USA.

posted on Aug 23, 2014, 12:36 AM 2

18. xfire99

Posts: 1205; Member since: Mar 14, 2012

Click on the source link first and read THE WHOLE REPLACMENT FOR "FREE"requirement! Instead read PA crapped short disoriented article. Missed out: Note: If your iPhone 5 has any damage such as a cracked screen which impairs the replacement of the battery, that issue will need to be resolved prior to the battery replacement. In some cases, there may be a cost associated with the repair. The program covers affected iPhone 5 batteries for two years after the first retail sale of the unit or until March 1, 2015, whichever provides longer coverage. Samungs phones doesnt have built in battery and can be replaced easily. Also they did replace S4 battery issues for free. HTC did replaced "dents" quality issues on HTC Ones models. Do Apple replace burnt in screens on iphones/ipads? Which company does it? Reminds: Did apple repairs for free or replace antennagate problem with iphone 4? If there are any hardware issues, any OEMs will replace/reapir for free to avoid bad PR. Depends what kind of issues. Not only Apple does it.

posted on Aug 23, 2014, 2:03 AM 1

21. Gawain

Posts: 431; Member since: Apr 15, 2010

You obviously didn't read the article: "If there is any physical damage to your device (cracked screen for example), that will need to be fixed."

posted on Aug 23, 2014, 4:25 AM 1

20. AlikMalix unregistered

There are many people that will tell you that after they took their phone to apple store they had it repaired warranty or not, for various reasons - even cracked screens. I know a girl personally that had the phone replaced twice now for water damage. I got a new phone because I complained I had dings in my aluminum. Surely there's android stores that replace your phone for water damage or screen cracked and after warranty expired. (Search for some stories). You guys are hanging around the "report a problem" area instead of apple forums where people share their experience with their phones and apple store.

posted on Aug 23, 2014, 2:46 AM 0

22. uzimafioso

Posts: 467; Member since: Jul 15, 2014

Well to tell you the truth other vendors usually have very few defective units, they do follow the 6 sigma rule when manufacturing, Apple on the other hand uses contracts, like this time around with 80 million units and with haphazard design changes at the last minute. And burn in problem that affected 30% my a**. I can muster around 15 notes right now without that problem. It was a rumor. And I can go check and find at least a 100 iPhones with faulty home and power buttons. See Samsung being a Korean company goes nuts af quality control, Apple uses Foxconn and other contracts who dont go nuts and just try to put everything in the design along with cutting their costs!

posted on Aug 23, 2014, 4:28 AM 0

23. Ninetysix

Posts: 2933; Member since: Oct 08, 2012

Except Apple's customer satisfaction is always one of the highest. Good try though.

posted on Aug 23, 2014, 8:27 AM 0

9. Python212

Posts: 363; Member since: Aug 13, 2014

Forced or not they're doing the right thing. Do you really think that Apple fans would switch to other brand because Apple won't fix this issue? Don't forget that Apple fans are very loyal to em. They had many different issues with their iPhone in the past but most of em are still with em. Hack, even with sub 720p 4" display, no external memory expansion option, iTunes, no true multitasking, etc, Apple fans/users are still waiting for the next generation goods from Apple, even when there are better options available at the moment or from a few years ago.

posted on Aug 22, 2014, 10:54 PM 2

11. xperiaDROID

Posts: 5629; Member since: Mar 08, 2013

Okay, both of you are right. I should change the way I think about Apple. But we can't deny that Apple is greedy, they overprice their products even if their products are like few years behind from the others that are better and have the latest specs.

posted on Aug 22, 2014, 11:01 PM 3

12. Python212

Posts: 363; Member since: Aug 13, 2014

I couldn't agree with you more on that topic +1

posted on Aug 22, 2014, 11:04 PM 2

16. iushnt

Posts: 3054; Member since: Feb 06, 2013

I believe, other companies like Sony, HTC use much more better components than apple..apple's product quality is just over hyped. My iPhone 4s also had this problem, no replacemet done, or maybe I didn't knew if that kind of offer had existed. And it had faulty home button as well. Anyways, the looser is me, and winner is apple.

posted on Aug 23, 2014, 12:42 AM 0

2. AfterShock

Posts: 4146; Member since: Nov 02, 2012

That is pretty considerate. Must be bad mojo if you don't get it fixed.

posted on Aug 22, 2014, 9:56 PM 1

4. syncronyze

Posts: 103; Member since: Apr 26, 2014

Too bad I just replaced my iPhone with a HTC One M8. :)

posted on Aug 22, 2014, 10:20 PM 7

5. xperiaDROID

Posts: 5629; Member since: Mar 08, 2013

Brilliant. Quietly brilliant.

posted on Aug 22, 2014, 10:21 PM 6

29. hurrycanger

Posts: 1754; Member since: Dec 01, 2013

I see what you did there, haha.

posted on Aug 23, 2014, 2:53 PM 1

7. techloverNYC

Posts: 601; Member since: Nov 20, 2012

Props to u. Just got myself an M8 too. Only con I can think of is when not using case, it gets slippery at times.

posted on Aug 22, 2014, 10:50 PM 1

10. Python212

Posts: 363; Member since: Aug 13, 2014

Do you like it better than your old iPhone? I have one too but I'm about to drop it for the Note 4 when it comes out later. I'm already bored with their design.

posted on Aug 22, 2014, 10:57 PM 2

8. techloverNYC

Posts: 601; Member since: Nov 20, 2012

Best customer service out of all phone companys PERIOD. We can all hate on their products or pricing but when it comes to customer service they know their thing. As much as I love Andriod, it will never reach Apples' status if they don't have like a google store or something similar.

posted on Aug 22, 2014, 10:52 PM 2

13. Python212

Posts: 363; Member since: Aug 13, 2014

Samsung doesn't represent the whole Android but I heard that they're gonna offer similar customer service soon via bestbuy stores. BTW, I'm from NYC, too. I live in Midtown West. Where you at in NYC?

posted on Aug 22, 2014, 11:09 PM 1

14. techloverNYC

Posts: 601; Member since: Nov 20, 2012

Always nice to meet a fellow New Yorker. I live in NYC, at the Lower East Side. That will be a very smart move by Samsung. In order for them to brand their galaxy line as premium or high class as apples, they need the personalized touch (customer service,post service,repair,etc). Creating mini service stores within bestbuy stores or radioshack will be a safe and smart move.

posted on Aug 23, 2014, 12:31 AM 1

17. Python212

Posts: 363; Member since: Aug 13, 2014

That's cool I'm in LES right now LOL My buddy threw a huge loft party at his crib(Allen & Grand) and yet I'm on my phone surfing PA I'm a loser I guess lol Have a good night man

posted on Aug 23, 2014, 12:48 AM 0

19. JC557

Posts: 1917; Member since: Dec 07, 2011

Hey, I'm in Queens and I spent the night playing counter-strike... It sounds like Apple will be doing quite a service for those with the older phones. Luckily the 5th Avenue store is open 24/7 =P

posted on Aug 23, 2014, 2:44 AM 0

26. Python212

Posts: 363; Member since: Aug 13, 2014

Don't forget that we also got a 24/7 Bestbuy in Union Square :) NYC ROCKS!!!!

posted on Aug 23, 2014, 11:37 AM 0

24. NateAdam8

Posts: 420; Member since: Feb 17, 2012

MIGHT!

posted on Aug 23, 2014, 10:53 AM 0

25. Slammer

Posts: 1515; Member since: Jun 03, 2010

When I discovered the battery on my S3 was swelling and not holding a charge, I was issued a free replacement battery and it took all about 30 seconds to replace and was on my way to the important scheduded appointment because it was removable. How long do these Apple customers have to wait? John B.

posted on Aug 23, 2014, 11:13 AM 1

27. Ninetysix

Posts: 2933; Member since: Oct 08, 2012

About 30.2 seconds. Your favorite company wins John B.

posted on Aug 23, 2014, 11:52 AM 0

28. Slammer

Posts: 1515; Member since: Jun 03, 2010

Laugh it up all you want. But, in the event the battery isn't replaced and someone needs to buck up for replacement handset out of warranty, what's the cost especially when nothing was wrong with the handset to begin with as the article states? I can explain it to you. But, I can't understand it for you. It really is simple logic. Batteries fail and you people would rather pay someone to replace it for you? Nonsense! Either a lot of you are wealthy, or have thick skulls. John B.