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I don’t think it is related to antitrust, but I do think it is related to the growing “right to repair” advocacy. The reason I think that, is that Apple device

I don’t think it is related to antitrust, but I do think it is related to the growing “right to repair” advocacy. The reason I think that, is that Apple devices have always been repairable! By Apple. No one needed to “buy a new phone a year early because the battery died” if they were willing to hand their phone and $99 to Apple. I got the battery repaired in 2 different iPhones and it worked great (and was less expensive and wasteful than a whole new phone). I also got the screen repaired on one of those phones. So look at what is new here. It’s not “an iPhone can be repaired.” What is new is that Apple will help me do the repair myself.

enos_feedler 5y ago
Of course it is related to "right to repair" advocacy. This is the basic function of a company listening to feedback and making changes. As long as it doesn't conflict with the core values of the company, there is no reason to not add this. I love how this empowers individuals to repair themselves, or develop the skills to do this for friends, family and eventually open a shop in their local community. Apple is using their powerful iPhone economy to create local commerce. Pretty cool.
Tempest1981 5y ago
It's actually not too expensive, $49 or $69. Cheaper than some non-Apple shops: https://support.apple.com/iphone/repair/service/battery-power https://support.apple.com/iphone/repair/service/battery-powe...
- hmrr 5y ago
  It’s really cheap when you add the risks. Apple replaced the battery in my 6s about three years back and it didn’t work afterwards. If this was an independent phone shop they’d give it back and make an excuse or try and sell you another hooky handset. Apple gave me a brand new untouched 6s handset instead.
  - kshacker 5y ago
    Been there done that. Went in for a battery replacement, on pickup they said they could not fix it as is, and gave me a new phone. Probably was a 6/6S for me too.
  - wiredfool 5y ago
    Me too. And then within 2 days I put a deep scratch in the screen.
pembrook 5y ago
> I don’t think it is related to antitrust, but I do think it is related to the growing “right to repair” advocacy. That's my point. The customers shouted, and Apple actually listened this time. And this has been happening more lately. Why? It's because an exec at "old" Apple would say: "sure, the customers want to be able to repair easily, but won't this hurt our revenue growth and my bonus next year? What if they stop upgrading hardware as often?" An exec at "new" Apple is now incentivized to think: "well, even if they keep their hardware longer, it doesn't matter. Because the customer will still be in the ecosystem and we can get them to spend more via Apple Pay, iCloud, Apple TV+, News+, Advertising, App Store, etc. etc. and all these new services!"
- chewbacha 5y ago
  Thats a good spin by the exec, but it’s more like “the people shouted, governments listened, began legislation, apple protected themselves by getting ahead of it” I don’t really think that this was a direct reaction to customer demands but a forced hand with good spin.
  - AnthonyMouse 5y ago
    It also leaves them open to make it still a scam. Independent repair shops: Apple won't sell us parts so you have to pay them $69 for a repair we could do for $49 or you could do yourself for $20 because it's really $20 in parts and $29 in labor. Apple: Okay, here's the part you wanted, you can have it for $59 or have us do it for $69. No need for any new laws.
  - KennyBlanken 5y ago
    Yep, this is entirely "we can give you the right to repair your device. You don't need that silly law." The law is about giving consumers and repair shops the right to repair, but Apple is pretending that "right to repair" is just about giving individuals the ability to repair their stuff. It's especially safe for Apple because Joe Q Public is not going to even remotely think about DIY'ing this, and they get to charge a price that assures they don't lose money on it. The parts are cheap, the instructions are cheap. It's the labor that is what is expensive.
TheBill 5y ago
Just did this with my 10, $74.95 for a new battery, spent ~2 hours down the street curating a newsletter at a bar I like. It was a similar experience when I needed the battery in my MacBook Air replaced but closer to 100.

enos_feedler 5y ago

Of course it is related to "right to repair" advocacy. This is the basic function of a company listening to feedback and making changes. As long as it doesn't conflict with the core values of the company, there is no reason to not add this. I love how this empowers individuals to repair themselves, or develop the skills to do this for friends, family and eventually open a shop in their local community. Apple is using their powerful iPhone economy to create local commerce. Pretty cool.

Tempest1981 5y ago

It's actually not too expensive, $49 or $69. Cheaper than some non-Apple shops: https://support.apple.com/iphone/repair/service/battery-power https://support.apple.com/iphone/repair/service/battery-powe...

hmrr 5y ago
It’s really cheap when you add the risks. Apple replaced the battery in my 6s about three years back and it didn’t work afterwards. If this was an independent phone shop they’d give it back and make an excuse or try and sell you another hooky handset. Apple gave me a brand new untouched 6s handset instead.
- kshacker 5y ago
  Been there done that. Went in for a battery replacement, on pickup they said they could not fix it as is, and gave me a new phone. Probably was a 6/6S for me too.
- wiredfool 5y ago
  Me too. And then within 2 days I put a deep scratch in the screen.

pembrook 5y ago

> I don’t think it is related to antitrust, but I do think it is related to the growing “right to repair” advocacy. That's my point. The customers shouted, and Apple actually listened this time. And this has been happening more lately. Why? It's because an exec at "old" Apple would say: "sure, the customers want to be able to repair easily, but won't this hurt our revenue growth and my bonus next year? What if they stop upgrading hardware as often?" An exec at "new" Apple is now incentivized to think: "well, even if they keep their hardware longer, it doesn't matter. Because the customer will still be in the ecosystem and we can get them to spend more via Apple Pay, iCloud, Apple TV+, News+, Advertising, App Store, etc. etc. and all these new services!"

chewbacha 5y ago
Thats a good spin by the exec, but it’s more like “the people shouted, governments listened, began legislation, apple protected themselves by getting ahead of it” I don’t really think that this was a direct reaction to customer demands but a forced hand with good spin.
- AnthonyMouse 5y ago
  It also leaves them open to make it still a scam. Independent repair shops: Apple won't sell us parts so you have to pay them $69 for a repair we could do for $49 or you could do yourself for $20 because it's really $20 in parts and $29 in labor. Apple: Okay, here's the part you wanted, you can have it for $59 or have us do it for $69. No need for any new laws.
- KennyBlanken 5y ago
  Yep, this is entirely "we can give you the right to repair your device. You don't need that silly law." The law is about giving consumers and repair shops the right to repair, but Apple is pretending that "right to repair" is just about giving individuals the ability to repair their stuff. It's especially safe for Apple because Joe Q Public is not going to even remotely think about DIY'ing this, and they get to charge a price that assures they don't lose money on it. The parts are cheap, the instructions are cheap. It's the labor that is what is expensive.

TheBill 5y ago

Just did this with my 10, $74.95 for a new battery, spent ~2 hours down the street curating a newsletter at a bar I like. It was a similar experience when I needed the battery in my MacBook Air replaced but closer to 100.