APPLE’S worldwide iPhone 5 battery replacement program is more narrow than the company initially promised, with seemingly eligible Australian customers turned away from its stores.
The Cupertino-based technology giant will launch its iPhone 5 replacement program in Australia today, after admitting some iPhone 5 smartphones sold between September 2012 and January 2013 had faulty batteries.
The batteries, Apple said, “may suddenly experience shorter battery life or need to be charged more frequently”.
Customers were encouraged to enter their iPhone 5’s serial number into an Apple website to determine a handset’s eligibility for a free battery replacement, or a refund if they had already paid to replace it.
But seemingly eligible Australian customers have already been rejected under the scheme after Apple added further tests.
Queensland Apple user Sue Vote said her iPhone 5, purchased shortly after its 2012 launch, was listed on Apple’s website as eligible for repair.
But after she visited the company’s Carindale store with its current user, her mother, Apple staff insisted on testing its battery and rescinded the battery replacement offer.
Ms Vote said the Apple staffer determined the battery was “borderline” defective but “not close enough” to warrant a free replacement, and asked for $99 to install a new battery.
“Mum’s been charging (the iPhone) up to 90 per cent regularly and it goes flat in a couple of hours. She actually carries another old phone with her now because she just can’t trust that it won’t run out of battery,” Ms Vote says.
“I’ve got friends on Facebook thinking they’ve got a ‘golden ticket’ with this Apple offer but that’s no longer clear.”
Apple’s Battery Replacement Program website states users must ensure eligible iPhone 5 handsets have no damage, like a cracked screen, and also states iPhones will “be examined prior to any service to verify (they are) eligible for this program and in working order”.
Apple Australia declined to comment on the issue.
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