There’s a lot of fuss going around Apple since recently that the company is intentionally slowing down the older iPhones with software updates. Although it’s true, there’s a specific reason for the company to take such a step. Even Apple admitted the fact and gave an explanation for it last week.
Despite the explanation, many people unhappy and felt let down by the company. So Apple posted a lengthy message on its website on Thursday, apologizing to its users, gave an in-depth explanation for its controversial update and also offered solutions to this situation. In the post, Apple said: “We know that some of you feel Apple has let you down. We apologize.”
“First and foremost, we have never — and would never — do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product, or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades,” the post said.
Clarification
Clarifying about the software updates and how batteries work the company mentioned that all the Lithium-ion batteries become less-effective as they age and how we use the device like leaving a battery in a hot condition can reduce the lifespan of a battery. And as a chemically aged battery tends to shut down unexpectedly during peak workloads Apple has released a solution to this problem last year through iOS 10.2.1 software update for all the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPhone SE phones. As the update reduced the problem, the company extended the support for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in iOS 11.2.
Later Apple users began reporting slower performance of their devices over the course of the fall when iOS 11 released. Initially, the company thought it as a “normal, temporary” performance lag caused by the os updates and the minor bugs.
“We now believe that another contributor to these user experiences is the continued chemical ageing of the batteries in older iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s devices,” said the company.
Apple says that when a chemically-aged battery is replaced by a new one, the users will see a rise in the performance of their iPhones.
How Apple Offered Solution to the Problem
To make the amends, Apple reduced the price of the out-of-warranty replacement batteries from $79 to $29 which is a whole lot of $50 reduction. This will be for users with devices iPhone 6 or later and the worldwide reduction in the cost will effectively start from late January to December 2018.
Also, the company will issue an iOS update with new features in early 2018 which gives the “users more visibility into the health of their iPhone’s battery”.
Are you satisfied with Apple’s apology and explanation? Share your views in the comments below!
