Apple Prepares for $500M Payout After Batterygate

Published on July 14, 2020

Back in 2016, many iPhone users began to notice that their older model iPhones were experiencing odd delays and rapid battery drains–a consequence of what would soon be known as Apple’s batterygate. 

Batterygate

Apple confirmed in late 2017 that they had been implementing performance controls over their older model iPhones via an iOS update. Though they admit to tampering with many iPhones, they claim that the move to alter the performance and function of these phones was not done with intent to urge more sales of newer iPhone models. Soon after the outrage ensued, Apple offered a battery replacement at a discounted price for those affected by, what we now refer to as, batterygate. Critics believed Apple to be partaking in planned obsolescence and lawsuits followed shortly thereafter. 

In a statement to Tech Crunch, Apple stated,

Our goal is to deliver the best experience for customers, which includes overall performance and prolonging the life of their devices. Lithium-ion batteries become less capable of supplying peak current demands when in cold conditions, have a low battery charge or as they age over time, which can result in the device unexpectedly shutting down to protect its electronic components.

Last year we released a feature for iPhone 6, iPhone 6s and iPhone SE to smooth out the instantaneous peaks only when needed to prevent the device from unexpectedly shutting down during these conditions. We’ve now extended that feature to iPhone 7 with iOS 11.2, and plan to add support for other products in the future.

Apple’s statement to TechCrunch

Class-action lawsuit calls for $500M in payouts 

A class-action lawsuit against Apple states that the company must pay a total of $500 million USD, roughly $25 USD per each iPhone user found eligible, to compensate for batterygate. iPhone users must claim their portion of the payout before October 2020. The time for this payout has finally arrived.

While it’s estimated to be around $25 per each iPhone owner affected, according to Forbes, some iPhone users “could receive up to $500 in compensation from Apple,” as the rebate has potential to be much higher depending on how many iPhone owners are eligible for this payout. If the turnout is low, those who qualify and claim their compensation could see up to $500. Forbes report, “Only when all the claims have been submitted will it be decided how much each claimant will receive.”

The criteria to qualify for this $25 USD compensation is as follows:

“If you are or were a U.S. wonder of an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus and/or SE device that ran iOS 10.2.1 or later before December 21, 2017, and/or a U.S. wonder of an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus device that ran iOS 11.2 or later before December 21, 2017, you could be entitled to benefits under a class action settlement.”

via Smartphoneperformancesettlement.com

You can find more information here to see if you qualify.

Kristen Sallaberry is a Staff Writer at Grit Daily. Based in New York, she covers the realm of consumer tech and how these ever-progressing gadgets affect our lives. A creative writer and music-head, she also writes for online music publication, Sound of Boston, where she reviews and premieres new music, and co-writes a hip-hop focused column.

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