Report: Apple Offering $59 iPod Battery Replacement

By Ed Oswald | Published July 8, 2005, 1:18 PM

Apple enthusiast site AppleInsider confirmed on Friday that Apple is offering some iPod owners who meet certain conditions a discounted rate on battery replacement. The company has come under fire in recent months, and was taken to court over its battery life claims by owners of first, second, and third generation iPods.

Under the conditions of that settlement, members of the class-action lawsuit were entitled to a $50 USD reimbursement towards the purchase of new Apple hardware or software. Class members who purchased a third generation iPod could extend their warranty by one year, and in some cases receive a replacement.

However, AppleInsider's findings indicate the new program is for all iPod owners. For a $59 USD charge the battery will be replaced, providing tests of the device show the battery is only holding 50% of it's original strength.

The program would give all iPod owners a $40 discount off the Battery Replacement Program. The program first started in 2003 after several iPod owners began to complain that their batteries were not performing up to Apple's promises.

Apple representatives were not available to comment on the program, or officially confirm its existence.

Comments

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I say charge them $100 for the battery, and have it only be replaceable by Apple Store employees for $40. Silly Ipod buyers deserve every inch of apple's whooping schtick. And here am I with my 15 dollar EXTRA Zen battery that I can change all by myself. 5 gigs of MP3s, an FM radio AND an extra battery for $195.

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Bought a replacement battery on ebay from Hong Kong for 12 bucks...

Time to install? 10 mins. Saving 47 dollars and time to send my ipod off...priceless.

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Apple just plain sucks and So does Steve jobs and the apple customers.... no, it won't be me.

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apple sucks.

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So true. That is why I bought a 40G MP3 player for $250. I have choice of where I want to buy my songs. and i don't spend the over priced iPod, and I can replace my battery with any trouble.

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what about ipod mini's , mine holds about an hour worth of play , that is not nearly the time supposedly it should have .

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In other words Apple found another way to get more from its customers even though it was Apples fault. Exactly why I don't buy Apple products.

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At the over priced price of the iPod it should be free!

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