Apple Fined and Sued Worldwide Over Software Throttling of Aging iPhones

Throttling Discovered

In December 2017, data from the benchmarking tool Geekbench revealed that iPhone 6 models updated past iOS 10.2.1, and iPhone 7 models updated past iOS 11.2, showed a pattern of reduced processor performance. The finding fueled long-standing suspicions that Apple was intentionally degrading older devices to push customers toward newer models.

Apple confirmed to reporters that it had built software controls into iOS that throttled performance based on battery health. The company said the measure was meant to prevent unexpected shutdowns in phones with aging lithium-ion batteries, which can struggle to supply peak power as they degrade.

Apple's Response

Following public backlash, Apple issued an apology and said it had underestimated the role of battery aging in the slowdowns. To address customer concerns, the company cut the price of battery replacements for iPhone 6 and 6S models from $79 to $29, running the discount program from January through December 2018. More than 11 million replacement batteries were installed under the program. Apple also added battery health information and a toggle to disable the performance throttling in a later iOS update.

Regulatory and Legal Fallout

The throttling practice drew scrutiny from regulators and courts internationally. On February 7, 2020, French consumer protection authorities fined Apple €25 million over the practice. Three weeks later, on February 28, 2020, Apple agreed to a $500 million settlement in a California class-action lawsuit, agreeing to pay at least $25 to affected U.S. iPhone owners who had purchased eligible models.

In November 2020, Apple agreed to pay $113 million to settle a joint investigation by 34 U.S. states and the District of Columbia into the throttling practice, as part of which the company also agreed to provide more documentation about how its performance management features work.