The “Battery Gate” controversy gave Apple a bad reputation with some 33 U.S. states claiming that the iPhone maker made the dubious attempt of intentionally slowed down older devices in order compel its users into buying its newer smartphones.
Even though Apple had continuously denied this claim but stated that it only slowed down those devices so as to make their batteries last longer because newer software updates will have an adverse effects on the battery life on the long run.
The ‘Batterygate’ scandal affected millions of people when older models of the iPhone 6, 7 and first Generation iPhone SE were slowed down back in 2016 but not many people bought this claims.
The new settlement worth a staggering US$113 million is separate from a proposed settlement which the company reach back in March to pay affected iPhone owners up to US$500 million in a class action lawsuit.
In 2016 Apple updated software on models of the iPhone 6, 7 and SE – which throttled chip speeds on aging phones. And the company stated clearly that it did so in order to help these device’s battery live longer because for one reason, iPhone batteries are very difficult to replace if at all and when they do, they’re often expensive.
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The company stated back in 2017 that its newer software could be a power strain on these older devices’ batteries which prompted the slowdown. Meanwhile the states which accused Apple of this deceptive actions stated that the company should have been more transparent about it.
According to an Arizona filing, millions of users were affected by power shutoffs but Apple countered this claims that the attempt wasn’t for the company’s financial gains whatsoever.
But Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich wrote in a court document made public on Wednesday: “Many consumers decided that the only way to get improved performance was to purchase a newer-model iPhone from Apple and of course, fully understood such effects on sales.”
But with this, even under the settlement, Apple did not admit to any wrongdoing or breaking any law. the company also agreed to provide “truthful information” about iPhone power management across its websites, software update notes and iPhone settings over the course of three years.
The settlement comes after a series of other allegations against Apple. And do not forget the Cupertino-based tech giant is still battling it out against Epic Games as the latter claimed Apple uses its stranglehold over its App Store and unfairly charge developers.
