According to Apple’s website, the company is raising the price of battery replacements for all out-of-warranty iPhone models prior to the current iPhone 14 lineup.
Apple (AAPL) will charge $89 for battery replacements for iPhone X through iPhone 13 models beginning March 1, a $20 increase from the current price of a new battery. Other models’ battery replacements, such as the iPhone SE and iPhone 8, will cost $49 to $69 more.
Apple is also raising the price of battery replacements for other products. Batteries for newer iPad models will cost $20 more, while a new MacBook Air battery will cost $30 more and a MacBook Pro battery will cost $50 more.
Apple devices are typically covered by a one-year warranty. The changes only apply to customers who do not have AppleCare+ repair service, which provides up to two or three years of coverage at a cost that varies depending on the product.
In 2018, Apple reduced the price of iPhone battery replacements from $79 to $29 after it was discovered that the company intentionally slowed down the performance of older iPhones to prevent unexpected battery shutdowns. Apple also issued a rare apology and agreed to a $113 million settlement with dozens of states in response to the controversy, dubbed batterygate.
Apple may be responding to an increase in product costs due to rising inflation and supply chain issues by raising prices now. By taking this step, Apple may make it less appealing for customers to postpone upgrading their devices or to pay for the repair service program.
The announcement comes one year to the day after Apple’s market cap fell below $2 trillion in trading on Tuesday, the first time since early 2021, and one year to the day after the company became the first public tech company valued at $3 trillion.
Apple, like other technology companies, has dealt with supply chain issues and concerns that recession fears will weigh on the advertiser and consumer spending, including for more expensive products like the iPhone.
