Apple faces at least 12 different class-action lawsuits over iPhone slowdowns

Reports from January 2, 2018, indicated that Apple was facing at least 12 class-action lawsuits for failing to disclose that its software updates were slowing down older iPhone models. The legal challenges followed discoveries by users and the benchmarking service Geekbench that devices were experiencing performance drops. Specifically, data showed that the iPhone 6, 6s, and SE slowed down after the iOS 10.2.1 update, while the iPhone 7 experienced similar throttling after the iOS 11.2.0 update.

Apple acknowledged the practice, explaining that the updates were designed to dynamically manage the maximum performance of some system components. According to the company, this was done to prevent unexpected device shutdowns caused by aging batteries. Critics pointed out that the company had previously suggested users would not need to replace their batteries, and some suspected the slowdowns were intended to encourage upgrades to newer models. Other manufacturers, including Motorola and HTC, confirmed they did not employ similar performance-throttling practices, and a developer for Geekbench found no evidence of vendor-induced slowdowns in Android devices.

In an effort to address customer dissatisfaction, Apple issued an apology and announced it would reduce the cost of out-of-warranty battery replacements. The price for a replacement battery was lowered from $79 to $29. The company also promised to release an iOS software update in early 2018 that would provide users with clearer information regarding the health of their iPhone batteries.