Apple Establishes Replacement Program for Defective iPhone 5 Batteries

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There have been various consumer reports filed by iPhone 5 users concerning the low battery life of their Apple products. Apple Inc. has since looked into the problem and determined that a small batch of their iPhone 5s products may in fact contain the alleged defective battery problem.

According to the Apple Inc. website, “Apple has determined that a very small percentage of iPhone 5 devices may suddenly experience shorter battery life or need to be charged more frequently. The affected iPhone 5 devices were sold between September 2012 and January 2013 and fall within a limited serial number range.” This battery manufacturing error potentially affects a number of iPhone 5 devices that were sold between September 2012 and January 2013.

Because of the alleged short battery life issue, Apple has instituted a battery replacement product. As of August 22 of this year, eligible iPhone 5 owners in the United States and Canada can take in their affected Apple product into a participating Apple retail store or service provider and have their iPhone 5 battery replaced free of charge.

Despite Apple’s attempt to placate iPhone 5 owners through this replacement program, it is likely that a iPhone 5 battery defect class action lawsuit will soon be filed.

iPhone 5 Battery Replacement Program

In light of this alleged problem, Apple has set up the iPhone 5 Battery Replacement Program, allowing eligible iPhone 5 owners to receive a free replacement battery for their Apple product.

To determine if your iPhone 5 is eligible for free battery replacement, you will need to visit Apple’s website and enter your Apple product’s serial number in the provided serial number checker box. If your iPhone 5 is available for replacement, you will have the option to take your Apple product to an Apple Authorized Service Provider, Apple Retail Store, or call Apple Technical Support to have the battery replaced.

Before any battery replacement service is performed on you iPhone 5, it will be examined to determine if your Apple product is eligible for the battery replacement program.

Prior to taking in your iPhone 5 to begin the battery replacement process, you will need to:

• Back up all your phones data through iTunes or iCloud
• Turn off the “Find my iPhone” option on iCloud
• Erase all data and settings

Some damages to your iPhone, such as a cracked screen, may impede the battery replacement process. Such issues will need to be resolved before your iPhone 5’s battery can be replaced, and the cost of the screen repairs will not be covered by the battery replacement program.

For those Apple consumers who already paid to have their iPhone 5 battery replaced prior to the establishment of the iPhone 5 Battery Replacement Program, they can contact Apple and request a refund.

It is possible that a number of Apple consumers with an allegedly defective iPhone 5 battery will choose to file lawsuits against Apple Inc. While a lawsuit has not yet been proposed, it is likely that an iPhone battery defect class action lawsuit will be filed within the year.