14 DAY TRIAL // Apple launched an iPhone battery replacement program after it admitted to slowing down older models on purpose in order to prevent unexpected shutdowns, but the company is now under fire for not having enough units in stock in stores across the world.
One particular example is Korea where Apple is being criticized for starting the program without actually being prepared for it, as new batteries are hard to find for local iPhone customers.
As part of the servicing promo, Apple allows users to replace degraded iPhone batteries for just $29, down from the original price of $79. In Korea, the discounted price of the repairs is 34,000 won.
A report from The Korea Times reveals that official service centers don’t have any batteries in stock, which causes more frustration for customers who are trying to have their worn-out units replaced fast.
Apple launched the program “unprepared”
One particular example is Ubase, a service chain that operates six different centers in Korea, out of which two have no batteries in stock. Only one store confirmed it has new batteries to replace degraded units.
Quoting one Apple user who tried to have the iPhone battery replaced, the cited source reports that Cupertino has come under fire for launching the battery replacement program unprepared and without syncing all efforts with branches across the world. The program started unexpectedly in the United States, the source said, and the Korean office “had no knowledge of its timetable.”
As we reported during the weekend, Apple Stores not having batteries in stock or already running on full appointments is a common problem these days in the United States as well.
iPhone customers, however, shouldn’t be in a rush to replace their batteries unless they are in a critical condition. The battery replacement discount is available until the end of the year and there’s a good chance all these stock issues will be addressed in the coming weeks.
Apple hasn’t commented on how many requests it received as part of the program until now.