AppleInsider Staff
Apple has pushed back the expiration date of its iPhone 5 battery replacement program, which was originally scheduled to end on March 1, to provide owners of faulty equipment a full three years of component coverage.
While Apple did not formally announce the change, language on the program's dedicated webpage was modified to reflect a new coverage period extending to three years after a device's first retail sale. The updated page was first spotted by iPhone in Canada.
Prior to the change, iPhone 5 owners could swap out faulty batteries for "two years after the first retail sale or until March 1, 2015," whichever provided longer coverage.
Apple's battery replacement program was initiated in August 2014 after the company found a "very small percentage" of units sold within a five-month period between September 2012 through January 2013 exhibited problems. Applying the new three-year coverage to those dates, Apple's replacement program is expected to run through January 2016.
When Apple first announced the initiative, it said owners of affected iPhone 5 models might see unexpectedly short battery life. It is assumed that a batch of malfunctioning batteries slipped past quality control and shipped out to consumers.
Current iPhone 5 owners who purchased their device within the specified time period and are experiencing battery issues can check if their hardware is eligible for replacement through Apple's website.
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13 Comments
I guess that "very small percentage" is taking their sweet time getting their batteries replaced.
[quote name="Interdyne" url="/t/185085/apple-extends-iphone-5-battery-replacement-program-into-2016#post_2686550"]I guess that "very small percentage" is taking their sweet time getting their batteries replaced.[/quote] Silly people, it is well worth the hassle. I have my wife's cast of 5 and before the exchange it lasted two hours on a charge. I dug out my 4s and had it switched back on by Verizon while my 5 was a way and switched back when Apple returned it. Pretty seamless really and the 5 now lasts all day. On a side note; I have to say I really loved the size and weight of the 4s though ... I am the odd one out I guess but I kind of preferred it. It just feels so 'solid'.
I guess that "very small percentage" is taking their sweet time getting their batteries replaced.
Get it replaced as late as possible and you extend the life of your product, right? (I'm not one.)
Too bad the company doesn't have a 3-year warranty on all hardware considering the price that is paid.
[quote name="Arlor" url="/t/185085/apple-extends-iphone-5-battery-replacement-program-into-2016#post_2686608"] Get it replaced as late as possible and you extend the life of your product, right? (I'm not one.) [/quote] And risk the offer ending. Other than the 5 all my iPhones going back to the very first model all hold a charge to this day (I test them once in a while). So not sure it's a very valid reason anyway.