[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Users Blast iPhone Battery Policy here

[Inverse137]

Uhh, call me naive or something, but if you don't like the battery policy then don't buy the phone.It isn't like Apple released the phone and didn't disclose that the battery was only good for about 350 cycles.I could understand if a consumer group wanted to file a class action suit 10 months from now because all of the iPhone batteries were failing and Apple had not disclosed the fees, but this isn't the case. Apple brilliantly disclosed everything about the iPhone: what it could do, what it couldn't do, the fact that they were locking developers out from the kernel, the battery life, and that Cingular would be the only carrier and the phone locked to the terrible EDGE network. Based on those disclosed facts I, as a consumer, decided not to purchase the iPhone because it was not a good fit for me.How can you sue someone for disclosing the facts and then not liking those facts?

[aboxofjosh]

The complimentary 1-year warranty covers battery issues due to normal use. If your iPhone won't hold a charge after ten months (as the Foundation for Consumer and Taxpayer Rights says may be the case), then either contact AppleCare or bring it in to an Apple Store and get it replaced for free. The only issue at that point would be making sure your data is backed up, which will be done already if the content is yours and you sync it regularly, and paying for the $29 loaner while your phone is in the shop. I wish people would read the terms instead of freaking out.

[seshkanuri]

AT&T Is another word for rip off. What else do you expect, when you bought Iphone at $599.00? AT&T may project an affront of being a telecom company, but essentailly it is a criminal organisation, out to steal your money.You have to live with this rip off as you are now bound to a contract with AT&T, which is protected by goons like the Removed by Moderator and his cronies.I do not understand how a company could survive nearly 100 years ripping off people and still no one talks about it. Do you remember the long distance charges you have paid this criminal empire for the past 100 years?Edited by MPHEnterprises - No Political References Please

[auresi]

It is widely known that Apple designs its overpriced products to continue milking you after you have purchased them. The iPhone's expensive battery replacement policy is just the latest example of a long history that confirms this. Has anyone here tried to replace or upgrade an iBook's hard drive? You have to take the whole machine appart! The same goes if you want to replace or upgrade the combo drive or superdrive (fancy names for a DVD/CD drive!). The design of Apple products is made so that you have to take them to the Apple repair shops for service. These products are not consumer-friendly in any way. In most PC laptops it is very easy to swap these parts: just unscrew the hard drive cover and either two or four more screws that secure the HD to the caddy and you will have repaced or upgraded the hard drive in less than five minutes.The lower total cost of ownership is a myth. Not only do you heftily contribute to S. Jobs profits in your initial purchase, but this continues whenever you need to take your Apple products to the Apple store for repairs. It is also a myth that Apple hardware is better as their products suffer from just as many problems as those from other manufacturers.An Apple fanatic once said that the bottom of their laptop was nicer than the top of PC laptops. Even if we accept this opinion, I would rather not have it that way if it means I have to leave more than $200 at the Apple store each time that I need something done to the laptop. The same enormous difficulty of service and high cost goes for iMacs or other computers on their line. I do know that after a few months the original finish of his laptop will be all scratched while mine will retain its beauty for a lot longer!As a longtime user of both platforms (as I am obligated to use Apple products at work), I have come to the conclusion that there is nothing superior about Apple products except their high cost of ownership and initial purchase.I understand that a lot of Apple users might jump at my words, but I wonder if they also use PC's. Just try finding the very usable and ergonomic right mouse button in an Apple... The same goes if you want to use the wheel that we PC users have enjoyed for so long. Apple's arrogance is such that they continue to manufacture their computers with a one button mouse!So, it is not surprising that Apple is selling an overpriced phone with a battery that lasts ten months and that you have to send your phone to them for three days (yeah, right! Three days? Hmmm...) My old Samsung's battery was still good after three years of use. A new battery would have cost me around $20 and I did not have to send the phone to Apple to change the battery. Most companies have a different business philosoply than Apple and this is good for all of us.Auresi

[jyin87]

iphones are overhyped and overpriced. Just like their ipods.

[pinche]

The headline is inaccurate. It's not "users" who are blasting the iPhone battery policy, it's a crusading "consumer rights" lawyer who files class-action lawsuits at every conceivable consumer "injustice", like not labeling the coffee as hot... sheesh!Removed by Moderator if you don't like the battery policy, don't buy an iPhone. But don't use the pretense of a class-action lawsuit to pump yourself up with self-importance and make it seem like a life-or-death issue. It ain't. It's a Removed by Moderator battery.Removed by ModeratorEdited by MPHEnterprises - Watch the Tone of Your Posts and Watch Your Language

[jmartalo]

I have zero sympathy for Iphone suckers. They had to have their precious Iphones NOW, so they didn't do their homework, didn't wait for a few months to see exactly what the problems would be with it. Now they're whining and wringing their hands over some of the issues and problems associated with a grossly overpriced phone, including the cost of a battery. Apple has become successful in part because of fanatical users who are easily taken. Those customers have only themselves to blame for making a bad purchase decsion.

[ImaPhake]

Inverse137: Uhh, please read the article again. Apple did NOT release the battery policy until after the iPhone went on sale.Quote: "Apple published information about its battery replacement plan on its Web site on Friday after the product went on sale."My next-door neighbor purchased an iPhone and didn't know about the battery policy until he got the thing home. He was showing it off to me and I asked him what he thought about paying $80-plus dollars to replace the batteru. He was in denial until I showed him an article about it on Gizmodo. This little tidbit wasn't disclosed at the Apple store where he bought it.It's all good and well to say, "If you don't like something, don't buy it" provided full disclosure is made in advance of a purchase. Face it. This was yet another item in a long list wherein Apple uses deceptive tricks like this in order to bilk their customers. Their products are all overpriced to begin with (something the fan boys can't deny).

[coppertrail]

Isn't this the same for most iPods? You have to send it back to Apple or take it to an authorized repair center to have the battery replaced at a high priceIt''s rediculous to charge this much for a cell phone battery. It's bad enough what we pay for standard cell phone replacment batteries. Do a search on rechargable Li-Ion cells and you'll realize how much we're being charged.

[spiitz]

You do not need to have any sympathy for me. I love the iphone and bought one first day. I have never owned another apple product, but knew I wanted an iphone after researching it thoroughly. I have been extremely happy so far. Nicest UI I have ever experienced with a phone. Feels more sturdy than any other I have ever used, like nokia, sonyericcson, and motorola. For what you get I find the price reasonable. I hated using blackberries, pda's and other smartphones. This phone is a total joy. i love using the internet, email, camera, maps, stocks, music player and especially the voice mail. The menu system is much faster than any other phone I have ever seen. After holding one, I understand why there is no removable battery. The solid design is much more sturdy and attractive (if you care about looks). I have never used itunes before, but the software is way better than any of the software with my older phones. Most of my old phones had some form of music or internet. I hardly ever used either due to the poor software, UI, load time or execution. I do not think the phone is perfect. I do not like the lack of a2dp for stereo bluetooth or mms. I think that the edge network is slow while the wifi is marvelous. I would also like to the see horizontal keyboard used in other parts of the UI and not just the browser. I do not know if i would ever buy an apple computer, but I would certainly by another apple phone.spiitz

[OWNAGE2142]

sorry, but that is just... wow. its not like apple said that you would be able to swap out the battery for yourself, but that may be the assumption for cellphones. they should have been thinking about how on their iPOD (another apple product maybe?) that there is a battery that you can't get to!! wow! what a coincidence! if youd asked me before the launch, i would have told you 100% that the battery would not be changeable by hand.

[dbisse]

The post about 5 back is right. It isn't the users, it's the lawyers. You think I would see any of the money if they win? Heck no. In fact, I would probably see an increase in what I have to pay to cover the company's court cost win or lose.Thanks to my lack of funds for fancy phones, I did not and will not buy an iPhone. BUT, I do use AT&T as my carrier. Can I sue the "Consumer", I use the term lightly, groups to help recoup my increase in the bill? :idea:To the guy who hates AT&T read the next 3 lines.Yep, you got it. If no AT&T, that is what you'd be seeing now. NOTHING. Try yelling in sick to the office on the day you want to goof off.

[dulun18_MW]

haha... $79?? and here i thought a $500 phone would already have at least 3 yrs warranty for both labor and parts..this is really cheap.. Apple..

[jimlat84]

Coppertrail...Wrong. iPod batteries can be replaced with third-party kits that come with higher capacity batteries than Apple's and all the tools and instructions to do it yourself if you wish. No soldering, just a slip-on connector. And cheaper than Apple's battery replacement service. The iPhone battery is soldered, so only the most adventurous or electronically experienced should try it.Also the iPhone battery information was buried 5 or 6 layers deep on the iPhone web page. Not user friendly or obvious at all.Typical Apple...overpriced style over substance.

[spiitz]

I do not see how your point makes his statement wrong. You are just being argumentative. Following your logic, you can still replace the iphone battery through third party kits, including better batteries. Soldering is no harder than getting an ipod open without damage. Suggesting that only adventerous people try it is insulting. Its two wires, just snip the old ones and solder the new ones, just like gluing, lol. You just plug in the soldering iron and touch. If you do not want to do this, then pay for it to be done. It is not a crime to engineer a product this way. Nor should it be a crime to release the battery replacement policy after the launch by a few hours. I think he makes a valid point about non replaceable batteries in an apple product being somewhat expected. Either way, apple defines them as not user replaceable for either ipod or iphone. third party replacement has always been at your own risk and warranty voiding, but the battery is covered under warranty anyways. I think this lawsuit is frivolous and will likely be judged so. If you want to hate on apple, certainly you could buy an iphone and join the class action lawsuit. also, all electronics companies bury such info because it does not help sell the item. Should we sue them all for employing effective advertising? Apple is not creating new territory here. The only reason it is such a big deal is because their product is so great it garners extra attention. You may find my statements ironic considering this is my first apple product, but I think it is the best equipment I have ever owned. So hate on that.

[kmitchell]

It doesn't actually cost anything for anyone at least until June 30, 2008. I'm going to tell everyone here what I've been telling everyone...When you buy an iPhone, you have FULL coverage for a year. Come on, we've purchased iPods and MacBooks before, what makes you think there's any difference? Go to apple's website and read the actual facts. You'll see that it will only cost this much when you're NOT covered.Guess what else, you can have TWO years of coverage if you get the $69 (probably less for students) AppleCare Protection Plan.You can read the OUT OF WARRANTY Battery Replacement Policy here:http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/service/battery/(notice the "Out of Warranty")Hope that's helpful.

[TonyG77]

I think everyone needs to step back and do their research, especially before bashing a company or product...The iPhone battery will loose approximately 20% of its total charge capacity after 350-400 FULL charges; it won't simply die. So - if your constantly depleting 100% of the battery, after 350-400 charges the battery will only be able to store 80% of the charge that a new battery would. Interestingly enough - those who purchased iPhones most likely would have upgraded to subsequent models by the time the battery truly looses the ability to keep any charge!!!Is this still an "Apple" problem?