Replacing Your iPhone’s Battery Just Got More Expensive

Effective today, Apple has increased the cost to have your battery replaced on older iPhone models, as well as most of its Macs and iPads.

While the battery replacement service fee remains unchanged for all iPhone 14 models, that’s only because these were already more expensive than the rest. When Apple released its iPhone 14 lineup last fall, it hiked the battery replacement cost to $99 for those models.

By comparison, the company only charged $69 to replace the battery in Face ID-equipped iPhones — from the 2017 iPhone X to the 2021 iPhone 13 lineup. The fee for iPhones with home buttons was only $49. This covers devices as far back as the 2012 iPhone 5, but it also includes the latest 2022 iPhone SE since it still sports the same design as the iPhone 8.

Starting today, these prices are going up by $20 nearly across the board. The exceptions are the aforementioned iPhone 14 models, which remain at the already pricier $99 level, and the 2012 iPhone 5 and 2013 iPhone 5c, which haven’t seen an increase from the old $49 price, perhaps due to their lack of a Touch ID sensor.

This means a battery replacement for an iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, or iPhone 13 model will now cost $89, while the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 7, iPhone 8, or any generation of iPhone SE will set you back $69.

Note that these changes don’t apply to those with an AppleCare+ plan. AppleCare+ members can get their device’s battery replaced at no charge as long as it actually needs to be replaced; Apple’s measuring stick for that is when it retains less than 80% of its original charging capacity.

Of course, since AppleCare+ initially provided only two years of coverage from the original purchase date of the iPhone, most folks with older models aren’t likely to still be covered. Starting with the release of the iPhone 11 in 2019, Apple began offering AppleCare+ as a monthly subscription that you can keep for as long as you own your iPhone — as long as you keep paying for it. Still, with AppleCare+ costing as little as $7.99/month for an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12, it’s not a bad deal, especially when you consider that it also includes significantly more affordable repairs for accidental damages like a cracked screen.

Mac and iPad Battery Costs Also Increasing

Battery replacement costs for most iPad models have also increased by $20, pushing them up to $119 for most of the iPad Pro lineup and the entire iPad Air and iPad mini families. The 10th-generation iPad, which shares many of the same design characteristics, also goes up to $119, although the older entry-level home button iPads remain at the $99 price.

Like the iPhone 14 lineup, the M2-powered iPad Pro models were introduced with higher battery replacement costs last fall. These haven’t increased but remain higher than the rest of the pack, at $179 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and $149 for the 11-inch model.

MacBook battery replacements have also jumped across the board, with MacBook Air battery replacements up $30 to $159 and MacBook Pro battery replacements going up by $50 to $249.

Again, none of this impacts those with AppleCare+ coverage for their iPad or MacBook, where replacements are free as long as your batteries have deteriorated sufficiently.

Apple’s Not the Only Game in Town

While Apple may be an easy choice for iPhone, iPad, and MacBook battery replacements, it’s not your only option.

After all, if your device is still under warranty, Apple will replace your battery at no charge. If it’s out of warranty, there’s no harm in bringing it elsewhere, as there’s no longer a warranty for a third-party repair shop to void.

Authorized Apple Service Providers (AASPs) usually charge the same prices you’ll find at an Apple Store. You may have better luck with Independent Repair Providers (IRPs) since they’re not obligated to charge Apple’s standard service fees; they’re required to use parts supplied by Apple, but they can charge whatever they want for their labour costs.

However, there’s a reason why Apple and its authorized partners charge more than many smaller run-of-the-mill repair shops. In an attempt to cut corners, some repairers may go with substandard parts and knock-off batteries, which can be extremely dangerous. As the old saying goes, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Of course, if you’re willing to replace your battery on your own, you can save quite a bit by ordering the right parts. Well-known repair company iFixit was quick to point out on Twitter today that it’s not raising its battery pricing, and it offers both “Part Only” for those who just need the battery cell and “Fix Kit” packages to help you get the job done.

However, while iFixit’s kits can be very helpful — and include legitimate batteries that won’t catch fire — this isn’t something you should take on unless you’re comfortable opening your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook on your own. In that case, taking your device to Apple, an Apple Authorized Service Provider, or a trusted and reputable repair shop is the best way to go.