Apple has
as soon as once more elevated the price of out-of-warranty battery replacements for its newest flagship iPhones. The
iPhone 16 Professional and
iPhone 16 Professional Max will now value you $119 to get a brand new battery in the event you’re not lined by AppleCare+. It is a $20 bounce from the earlier $99 worth for the
iPhone 15 Professional fashions.Whereas the worth hike is actually noticeable, it is price noting that AppleCare+ subscribers can nonetheless get their batteries changed free of charge, so long as the battery’s well being has dropped beneath 80% of its unique capability. That stated, we may speculate that the rise in value for the
iPhone 16 Professional fashions may be attributed to a few elements.
First, there’s
the rumored use of a steel shell on their batteries, designed to boost thermal administration and probably enhance general battery longevity. Second, and maybe extra considerably, Apple has redesigned the internals of the
iPhone 16 sequence to make the batteries simpler to entry and substitute. This modification aligns with a brand new European Union regulation requiring smartphone producers to make batteries user-replaceable with frequent instruments by June 2025. So, whereas the upper price ticket would possibly sting a bit, it may additionally replicate the added complexity of those new battery designs and the corporate’s efforts to adjust to upcoming rules.
iPhone redesigned the iPhone 16 battery in addition to modified its measurement for the iPhone 16. | Picture credit score — Apple
This is not the primary time Apple has raised battery alternative prices. With the discharge of the iPhone 14 sequence, the worth jumped from $69 to $99. Moreover, the associated fee for older iPhone fashions additionally elevated from $69 to $89. Under are the present prices for a battery alternative on numerous iPhone fashions:
The almost twofold improve in battery alternative prices in recent times is actually one thing to think about. It appears Apple is more and more incentivizing customers to go for AppleCare+, which gives free battery replacements below sure situations.
From my perspective, this development in the direction of pricier repairs would make me assume twice about upgrading to the newest iPhone with out additionally investing in AppleCare+. It is a reminder that whereas the upfront value of a brand new cellphone may be excessive, the long-term prices related to upkeep and repairs are additionally price factoring in. It will likely be fascinating to see how these rising restore prices affect client conduct and whether or not it encourages individuals to carry onto their units for longer durations.
