Submitted by Chad Shmukler on
If you've been following the news surround the iPhone for the last week, you've no doubt read about the public outcry about the battery within the Apple iPhone, and Apple's replacement program.
If you haven't been following the "scandal", over the last week or so it was widely reported via both internet and mainstream media outlets that the iPhone battery would only last 300-400 charges. Apple's replacement program, which costs an estimated $86 dollars, takes three days and may result in the loss of some data. This, it was reported, essentially ads almost a hundred dollars per year to the cost of the iPhone. Throw in the fact that these details were poorly disclosed by Apple previous to the iPhone launch, and people started getting mad. Really, really, mad. Certain consumer advocacy groups were supposedly even considering filing class action lawsuits if Apple didn't make the problem go away.
As it turns out, all the hub-bub was based on misinformation.
Gizmodo today issued sort of an informal apology which pointed out the snafu. As it turns out, it all originated from misinterpretation of the NY Time's David Pogue's iPhone review which detailed the iPhone battery. The reality of the matter, however, was that Pogue's review stated that the iPhone battery began to "lose capacity" after 300-400 charges - not that the battery was expected to die at that point.As the Gizmodo article points out, the Apple website clearly states:
A properly maintained iPhone battery is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity after 400 full charge and discharge cycles. You may choose to replace your battery when it no longer holds sufficient charge to meet your needs.
Newest iPhone FAQs
This means that for the average user, two years from now you might be doing just fine with your original iPhone battery - especially if new updates to the iPhone firmware add significant battery usage optimizations.
Visit the Official Apple iPhone battery page for more information on the battery inside your iPhone.
Comments
Fender replied on Permalink
The press and blogs get carried away?
Well, wonders never cease...
videob0x replied on Permalink
Yeah, that never happens. :)
wallie replied on Permalink
You might as well spent the $100 on a battery replacement after the first year --- because an iphone with reduced battery capacity won't last you the whole day.
Mark replied on Permalink
Old news. We know about the loss of capacity, however it's not quite as simple as saying that the battery will have 80% capacity after 3-500 full charge cycles as this is dependent on usage and temperature. Given that the iPhone runs hot it's unlikely to have this capacity and Lithium Ion batteries aren't too keen on full charge and drain cycles either.
It should last 18 months to a couple of years though.