Two weeks ago Apple acknowledged that some iPhone 6S units have been shutting down unexpectedly and announced it will be replacing devices with faulty batteries free of charge at its branded retail stores as well as authorized service providers across the globe.
While Cupertino initially believed the malfunction only affects limited number of iPhones manufactured between September and October 2015, it appears the issue might be much more widespread after all.
In a new press release (in Chinese), the Big A detailed some of the reasons that could be causing the battery glitch, blaming the bug on prolonged exposure to air prior to assembly. More worryingly, the iPhone-maker revealed the malfunction might have also affected iPhones outisde of this particular batch.
We found that a small number of iPhone 6S devices made in September and October 2015 contained a battery component that was exposed to controlled ambient air longer than it should have been before being assembled into battery packs. As a result, these batteries degrade faster than a normal battery and cause unexpected shutdowns to occur. It’s important to note, this is not a safety issue.
On the upside, Apple further announced plans to start collecting diagnostic data over the next few weeks to accurately pinpoint the causes of the problem. According to the statement, the company believes the issue doesn’t pose a safety threat and could be resolved through software updates.
Outside the affected batch, a small number of customers reported an unexpected shutdown. Some of these shutdowns may be normal, because the iPhone will shut down to protect its electronic components. To gather more information, we will add an additional diagnostic feature to the iOS software update that is released next week. This feature collects a variety of information in the coming weeks that may help us improve algorithms for managing battery performance and shutdown operations. If such improvements can be achieved, we will deliver them through further software updates.
It’s been a tough month for Apple. Prior to announcing its worldwide battery replacement program for the iPhone 6s, the manufacturer also admitted certain units of its flagship device have been experiencing display glitches better known as ‘Touch Disease.’
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While Apple won’t be replacing your ‘sick’ flickering screen, you can check whether you’re eligible to receive a battery replacement for your buggy iPhone 6S at this page.
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