Apple secretly slowed old iPhones to force upgrades
| Apple secretly slowed old iPhones to force upgrades | |
|---|---|
| MISLEADING | |
| "Apple deliberately slowed down older iPhones to push customers into buying new ones." | |
| Domain | Technology & Internet |
| Tactic | False Context |
| Era | Current |
| First seen | 2017 |
| Origin | Consumer complaints and a December 2017 analysis by benchmarking firm Geekbench, followed by lawsuits worldwide |
| Last reviewed | 2026-10-30 |
| Further reading: books on Technology & Internet | |
In December 2017, tests showed that some older iPhones with aging batteries ran markedly slower after software updates. Apple confirmed that a feature introduced in iOS 10.2.1 throttled performance on phones with degraded batteries to prevent sudden shutdowns. It had not clearly told users.
The throttling was real and undisclosed. The claim that its purpose was to force upgrades was not proven.
What the evidence shows
- Apple's explanation. Apple said the feature prevented unexpected shutdowns caused by aging lithium-ion batteries, and that replacing the battery restored full speed. It apologized and cut battery replacement prices to $29 for a year.
- Settlements. Apple agreed to pay up to $500 million in a US class action in 2020 and $113 million to 34 US states and the District of Columbia in November 2020, without admitting wrongdoing.
- France. In February 2020, French authorities fined Apple €25 million for failing to inform consumers that updates could slow their phones.
- Intent. Regulators focused on nondisclosure. None found that the purpose was to make people buy new phones.
Why it matters
The real issue was a company changing how customers' devices worked without telling them. The planned-obsolescence version went further than the evidence.
Sources
- Apple, "A Message to Our Customers about iPhone Batteries and Performance," December 28, 2017.
- Arizona Attorney General, "Attorney General Mark Brnovich Achieves $113 Million Settlement with Apple Over iPhone Throttling," November 18, 2020.
- Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes (DGCCRF), statement on Apple fine, February 7, 2020.