iPhone: new battery costs $79, 3 days

Lincoln Russell 9 Jul, 2007 at 4:41pm ET Article published in Tech

Need that iPhone battery replaced? It’s going to cost you $79, a $6.85, and a 3 business-day trip to Apple. That means no phone in the interim (unless you rent one for an additional $29), and, oh yes, you’ll still need to pay for service while it’s gone.

Thus far, it seems all media outlets and reviewers (except, now, MSNBC) have missed this hidden iPod fee. The battery lasts 300-400 recharges, then must be replaced.

It’s unclear whether Apple announced this fee prior to selling its first units. In any case, it’s on an out-of-the-way page on their website now.

Bob Sullivan takes a closer look at the media coverage and breaks the story on MSNSC.

Comments

9 Jul 2007 ~ 5:06pm Leonardo Most of the reviews, even some of those that were less than objective (fawning all over Apple) mentioned that the battery could not be replaced by the user. I don't recall though, seeing any reviewer list the service/replacement charge. Maybe Apple hadn't previously released that figure? When reading those articles, it was my assumption that anyone with the technical savvy to set up and use a sophisticated device like the iPhone would infer the expensive nature of a battery replacement. But then...we're talking phone junkies here and not necessarily the tech 'literate.'

To me, whether it's a phone, a TV remote, or what have you, the device must have a user-replaceable battery or it's a no go for purchase, period.
9 Jul 2007 ~ 5:33pm CB

Leonardo wrote:

To me, whether it's a phone, a TV remote, or what have you, the device must have a user-replaceable battery or it's a no go for purchase, period.

Indeed. This knowledge has just assured that I will never purchase this version of this device.
9 Jul 2007 ~ 6:45pm fatcat has anyone acually confirmed that the battery can be only charged 300-400 times? I mean I know apple says that...but..who has charged it 300 times yet?
9 Jul 2007 ~ 8:51pm muddocktor That sounds about right for a lithium ion or lithium polymer battery to me. It won't die off right away but will get to where a charge won't last very long, just like laptop batteries.
9 Jul 2007 ~ 9:20pm airbornflght Well, if you wanted to change the battery that badly you could. I do believe that $79 is far too much for a battery though.
9 Jul 2007 ~ 9:46pm Thrax No you couldn't. The unit is sealed; it'd never go back together again.
9 Jul 2007 ~ 10:27pm Linc It isn't the money, it's the time without your phone. It's one thing to send an iPod in, but I'm not giving up my phone for 3+ days.
10 Jul 2007 ~ 2:35am Leonardo

Well, if you wanted to change the battery that badly you could.

More than one tech site has done a complete "dissection" of the iPhone. The reviewers made it clear that only a factory trained technician would be able to install a new battery. There is a LOT of hardware packed into the small iPhone case.
10 Jul 2007 ~ 8:15am airbornflght I looked at one of them, and it looked like if you took your time you could do it. The battery was soldered in there, but I think if you had some basic soldering skills you may be able to do it. But I guess ymmv and it'd be at your own risk.
10 Jul 2007 ~ 9:05am Linc

airbornflght wrote:

it looked like if you took your time you could do it.

Yes, maybe if you just do it slowly. Slow enough for the mail to take it to Apple and back.
10 Jul 2007 ~ 10:32am BuddyJ These days, who keeps their phone for more than two years, besides me? I have a feeling that quite a few iPhone owners will have moved on to iPhone v2 or the next magic/fashionable device by the time their iPhone will need battery replacement. I vote for non-issue until somebody can prove that it's a reason for concern.