The new metal casing for the iPhone 16 Pro batteries could increase servicing costs. [X/KosumiSan]
Apple is significantly increasing prices for out-of-warranty battery replacements, this time for the iPhone 16 Pro models.
The new cost of an out-of-warranty battery replacement for the two larger models of the latest iPhone is $119, up from the $99 cost for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. The cost remains $99 for the regular iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
Apple last increased the cost of out-of-warranty battery replacement with the iPhone 14 models in 2022. Prices went up from $69 to $99.
As all new iPhones come with at least one year of AppleCare warranty, the change is not expected to be felt by new buyers anytime soon. AppleCare+ warranties can be purchased to cover the cost of most repairs for three years or longer.
Under AppleCare, users can request a free battery replacement service if the battery can no longer retain at least 80 percent of its original capacity. iPhone batteries are designed to retain 80 percent of their original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles under ideal conditions, while the batteries of the iPhone 15 and later models are designed to retain 80 percent of their original capacity at 1000 complete charge cycles under ideal conditions, according to Apple.
In addition to being larger, the batteries in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models are said to have a new metal shell to help improve heat dissipation. This might require extra labor to replace those batteries, which may explain the replacement cost increase, first noted by MacRumors.
The price for a replacement battery for older out-of-warranty iPhones varies by model. All models of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 can have batteries replaced for $99, while most now-vintage units will see charges of $89 — with the exception of the iPhone SE and the iPhone 8, which retain their $69 battery replacement fee.