In a worrisome development reminiscent of the infamous "batterygate," some iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro owners are reporting unexpected battery degradation in their devices, with less than a year of usage. The issue has sparked discussions among users who are raising concerns about the durability and longevity of their pricey smartphones.
The alarm was sounded by Sam Kohl of AppleTrack, who took to Twitter in July to share his experience. Kohl revealed that his iPhone 14 Pro had already seen a significant drop in its maximum battery capacity, plummeting to 90 percent within a short span of time. This rapid decline in battery performance has left many users baffled and frustrated, especially considering the premium price tag of $999 attached to these devices.
Kohl's tweet initiated a thread that quickly gained traction, with numerous other iPhone 14 and 14 Pro owners sharing similar experiences of unexpectedly low battery capacities. The collective sentiment indicates a troubling trend, prompting questions about Apple's quality control and the overall user experience with these devices.
Apple has officially stated that iPhone batteries should retain up to 80 percent of their original capacity after 500 complete charge cycles. However, the recent reports of battery degradation on the iPhone 14 lineup raise concerns about the adherence to these performance standards. Rumors surrounding the impending iPhone 15 series suggest that Apple might address this issue by increasing battery sizes by 10 to 18 percent compared to the current models.
Joanna Stern, a well-known tech columnist and former writer for The Verge, added her voice to the growing concern. In her recent newsletter, she disclosed that her iPhone 14 Pro was already displaying a battery capacity of 88 percent. This revelation highlights that the problem is not isolated to a single user but appears to be affecting a broader spectrum of iPhone 14 and 14 Pro devices.
Reports within The Verge community also paint a mixed picture, with some iPhone 14 Pro owners reporting battery capacities as low as 91 and 93 percent, while others are experiencing slightly better figures around 97 percent. These numbers are significantly lower than what users have typically encountered in previous iPhone generations, where such degradation became apparent after a longer period of usage, often around the two-year mark.
What further exacerbates this concern is the cost associated with replacing the battery on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro. Once the devices are out of their one-year warranty, users are faced with a higher price tag for battery replacement, which now stands at $99. This represents a $30 increase from previous models, making it a substantial investment to restore the battery health of these devices.
The battery health monitoring feature, introduced in the iOS 11.3 update, aimed to provide transparency to users about their device's battery performance. This update was introduced in the aftermath of the batterygate controversy, where Apple faced backlash for deliberately throttling older iPhones to compensate for aging batteries. The issue led to public outcry, lawsuits, and settlements, ultimately prompting Apple to offer battery replacements at a reduced cost.
As the discussions around battery degradation on the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro intensify, users are hoping for a comprehensive response from Apple. The company has yet to formally address these concerns, leaving many to wonder whether this could evolve into a larger-scale problem and impact the overall reputation of these flagship devices. As the iPhone 15 series launch approaches, users will be watching closely to see how Apple addresses this potential challenge and ensures the longevity of its products.
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