When is a replacement programme not actually a replacement programme?
Following a fairly justified public/media backlash about how Apple handles/manages battery life on iPhone 6s, just after Christmas Apple allegedly ‘solved’ the problem with a ‘message to customers about iPhone batteries and performance‘ which ends with an offer to set up a programme to start replacing batteries at a more reasonable cost – starting at the end of January 2018.
What did Apple really say?
- Yes, there are iPhone 6 users with real battery problems – and they probably didn’t know there was a replacement service
- These customers with faulty batteries are so important to us that they can pay the full price for a new battery to have their phone fixed RIGHT NOW
- Apple will decide if your battery is worn out or not and if they’re willing to replace it – for a fee (otherwise you’re looking at a 3rd party solution)
- If you’re not willing (or cant’ afford) to pay and extra $50/£50 you can keep “using” your dysfunctional phone for another month
Now I don’t mean to be critical – after all I’ve been waiting for a programme like this for 18 months – but the real message to customers is actually pretty negative.
The anti-Apple blogosphere were as critical as you’d expect (Apple admitting batteries don’t last forever, shame on Apple) while Apple-sites have uncritically pronounced the problem solved. Neither noticed what was actually said.
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