Batterygate returns as Apple must defend throttling the iPhone in U.K. court

In 2016, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, and iPhone 6s Plus owners complained that their phones were turning off after asking them to handle a task that required the processor to do a big job. This was blamed on the weaker batteries in these models. Apple released an update in January 2017, iOS 10.2.1, designed to limit the processors of the aforementioned iPhone models that were in the process of shutting down. Thanks to throttling, the batteries in these handsets no longer had to struggle to provide the necessary power to the processor.

However, the throttling was noticed by some iPhone users who accused Apple of intentionally slowing down the devices in order to generate sales of new iPhones. In a letter written by CEO Tim Cook in December 2017, Apple apologized and addressed concerns about planned obsolescence by saying it would never do anything to shorten the lifespan of its products. And Apple reduced the cost of replacing an iPhone battery by 63% for all of 2018.

Lawsuits followed, and Apple added the Battery Health feature with iOS 11.3 in 2018 to help iPhone users monitor their battery health. Now, years after Batterygate earned its name, legal action is underway in the United Kingdom. News from the skyJustin Gutmann, a British consumer rights advocate, has been given the green light by a judge to pursue a class action lawsuit against Apple on behalf of more than 25 million iPhone users in the United Kingdom whose devices have been restricted without their knowledge.

Affected models include iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus. Gutmann accuses Apple of taking advantage of its dominant market share to try to get owners of the aforementioned models to buy new iPhones or new batteries. If Apple loses the case, all UK consumers who own one of the affected models will receive compensation. Predictably, Apple calls the suit “baseless.”