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More than 200,000 South Koreans take part in Apple lawsuit

Cheaper battery replacements without proper notice is not enough, say customers

Reading Time:2 minutes
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Korean iPhone users wait to replace their aged batteries with new ones at an Apple service center in Seoul. The U.S. smartphone maker began the battery swap program amid mounting anger over its software upgrade that intentionally slowed down older iPhones. Photo: Yonhap

By Kang Seung-woo

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Apple’s troubles seem to be getting bigger due to its “batterygate” scandal, despite its plans to make up for its interference with the iPhones of customers without permission.

Korea’s iPhone customers have complained that Apple’s offer of cheaper battery replacements is short of fully compensating the users for its poor battery performance. In addition, the beginning of the battery swap without notice is also drawing criticism.

Anger has mounted over the smartphone maker’s software tweak that slowed down old iPhones for a longer battery life, which led to multiple lawsuits. In response, Apple decided to offer cheaper battery replacements — down from US$79 (84,000 won) to US$29 — to make up for it. In Korea, iPhone users can replace their batteries for 66,000 won during the given period, down from the original price of 100,000 won.

Those who fall victim to battery degradation are owners of iPhone 6 and later versions.

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“Apple intentionally slowed performance of the older iPhones. Despite its apparent fault, the company is still shifting the financial burden of swapping batteries to its customers,” said Seo Kwang-duk, who described himself as a loyal iPhone user.

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