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iPod Apple's iPod battery replacement

Warbrain

Warbrain

macrumors 603
Original poster
Jun 28, 2004
5,702
293
Chicago, IL
I'm sure that this question has been asked before, but I can't find any reference to it at all anywhere, so here it is...

If I were to pay the 100 dollars to Apple in order to have my battery "replaced," would I recieve the same model iPod (3G 10 GB) back from Apple? Or would I recieve one of equal value now (4G 20 GB)? I'm confused as to what will happen as I know people who turned in their iPods and have recieved 4G iPods, but I also know people who recieved 3G iPods. What's the deal?
 
Warbrain said:
I'm sure that this question has been asked before, but I can't find any reference to it at all anywhere, so here it is...

If I were to pay the 100 dollars to Apple in order to have my battery "replaced," would I recieve the same model iPod (3G 10 GB) back from Apple? Or would I recieve one of equal value now (4G 20 GB)? I'm confused as to what will happen as I know people who turned in their iPods and have recieved 4G iPods, but I also know people who recieved 3G iPods. What's the deal?
Click to expand...

You'll receive a 3G 10GB back.

My friend just paid 99.00 for his 1G 5GB model and got a shiny new one back.
 
Wait - I thought you bring it to the apple store, they crack open the case, insert a new battery, and you get your old iPod...???
 
dotdotdot said:
Wait - I thought you bring it to the apple store, they crack open the case, insert a new battery, and you get your old iPod...???
Click to expand...

Nope. They give a completely new iPod.
 
AnewMac said:
What if you had a laser engraved iPod? Would they engrave a brand new one?
Click to expand...

Yes, they will engrave a new one. Or they might use the backing on the other iPod. I don't know that whole situation.

So does anyone have any other knowledge of what I'll recieve back?
 
Correction

There are some huge errors with this posting:

-If you have an engraved iPod - it is not handled by the store level what-so-ever - its sent to Apple directly (As you cannot purchase an engraved iPod in the store, nor do they have the tools to engrave a iPod in the store) Apple will re-engrave the orgin'l wording only. This is done for free within the warranty.

-If you have an iPod now that has been discontiuned: you will receive a replacement (50% of the time) - with a model of like value- (Basically the same marketing bracket - $199 iPod mini -> $199 iPod mini) (50% of the time) the product can be repaired in the store.

-Apple does replace batteries in the store as well. They have never given out a competely new iPod for a battery failure.

I have multiple iPods and live next to a store here in MN - they fail, it happens, they are mobile tools...

On a final note, once the remaining stock of a older iPod (3G) is depleated, and you own a 3G iPod- you automatically will be bumped up to the current level. (4G)

**If your willing to be daring: http://www.macsales.com has the batteries that lost longer than the orgin'l - plus instructional videos on how to replace the batteries. You could save yourself some time and money.
 
You could always replace the battery yourself. It's very easy to do.

I wouldn't want them replacing my old iPod! Its backlight is a really soft purple/blue. Some new ones are far too bright.
 
EGT said:
I wouldn't want them replacing my old iPod! Its backlight is a really soft purple/blue. Some new ones are far too bright.
Click to expand...

Hence the controls to change the brightness...
 
sjpetry said:
I am confused


I can take my 3G iPod (which is out of warrenty) and pay $100 and get a 4G iPod? :confused:
Click to expand...

no you would recieve a 3G so long as they are in stock still somehwere (or a refurbed one perhaps?) or they would just change out the battery would be my guess
 
appleupnorth said:
There are some huge errors with this posting:

-If you have an engraved iPod - it is not handled by the store level what-so-ever - its sent to Apple directly (As you cannot purchase an engraved iPod in the store, nor do they have the tools to engrave a iPod in the store) Apple will re-engrave the orgin'l wording only. This is done for free within the warranty.

-If you have an iPod now that has been discontiuned: you will receive a replacement (50% of the time) - with a model of like value- (Basically the same marketing bracket - $199 iPod mini -> $199 iPod mini) (50% of the time) the product can be repaired in the store.

-Apple does replace batteries in the store as well. They have never given out a competely new iPod for a battery failure.

I have multiple iPods and live next to a store here in MN - they fail, it happens, they are mobile tools...

On a final note, once the remaining stock of a older iPod (3G) is depleated, and you own a 3G iPod- you automatically will be bumped up to the current level. (4G)

**If your willing to be daring: http://www.macsales.com has the batteries that lost longer than the orgin'l - plus instructional videos on how to replace the batteries. You could save yourself some time and money.
Click to expand...

Yea, I'm not willing to be daring and open up my iPod myself. I was planning to have someone install it for me if it got to that point, but it hasn't yet, and I don't think it will. I'd rather play my chances of getting a completely new iPod (4G) or same model (3G) and gamble the 100 dollars instead of paying someone 55 dollars to install a new battery for me. And that 55 dollars isn't including the gas that I would have to use to drive out an hour to get to the place and the tolls of the interstate that I would have to travel along.

But yea, if I get a new 4G iPod, sweet. If not, I have one that looks better than the iPod I have and it will last me a couple more years when at that point, I should have the money to afford a completely new one.
 
Mechcozmo said:
Hence the controls to change the brightness...
Click to expand...

And by brightness you mean contrast? You can't change how bright the actual backlight is as far as i know. Do you mean just on and off?

I haven't seen an option to actually change how bright or dim the backlight is on any iPod. Certainly not on the 3rd gen or iPod Photo.
 
Warbrain said:
Nope. They give a completely new iPod.
Click to expand...
Warbrain said:
Yes, they will engrave a new one.
Click to expand...

WTF?! I think you just made the part about the laser engraving up.

Normally, they NEVER give you the exact same iPod back unless you have it laser engraved, which is why the battery replacement program is slower for those who have laser engraved iPods, as they either take the back off the old player and put it on another player, or they ship YOUR player back to you.

When you send an iPod in to Apple, Apple ships you back the same "model" iPod back (eg: 3G, 4G). Its not brand new, but a refurb that was tested, buffed, and shined. You get someone elses iPod that required a battery replacement. That person sent THEIR iPod in for a battery replacement several weeks before you did, and after Apple replaced the battery, they send it to you. So when you send YOUR player in, someone several weeks down the road will get YOUR iPod (refurbished) with a new battery fitted into it, while you got one sent in several weeks before. This is why your iPod never comes with all your songs still on the HD --- they format it. Its also why they'll never really "run out of 3G iPods"....because as long as someone sent one in a few weeks before, you'll have a 3G for you. When nobody sent in a 3G model for a battery replacement, then they don't have anything to give back to you. That's when Apple gives out a newer model. I doubt they'd be in the situation where they're giving out a brand new player. Its just refurbed well. ;)

Since it takes so long to replace one battery, say 3-4 weeks, the system they have now won't require you to wait for 3-4 weeks for your iPod. They can make it shiny and test it and ship you a refurb iPod quick.

This is also why I don't care about scratching up my iPod. :p
 
so whats the average turn around time when you take your ipod in for battery replacement? :confused:
 
Abstract said:
WTF?! I think you just made the part about the laser engraving up.

Normally, they NEVER give you the exact same iPod back unless you have it laser engraved, which is why the battery replacement program is slower for those who have laser engraved iPods, as they either take the back off the old player and put it on another player, or they ship YOUR player back to you.

When you send an iPod in to Apple, Apple ships you back the same "model" iPod back (eg: 3G, 4G). Its not brand new, but a refurb that was tested, buffed, and shined. You get someone elses iPod that required a battery replacement. That person sent THEIR iPod in for a battery replacement several weeks before you did, and after Apple replaced the battery, they send it to you. So when you send YOUR player in, someone several weeks down the road will get YOUR iPod (refurbished) with a new battery fitted into it, while you got one sent in several weeks before. This is why your iPod never comes with all your songs still on the HD --- they format it. Its also why they'll never really "run out of 3G iPods"....because as long as someone sent one in a few weeks before, you'll have a 3G for you. When nobody sent in a 3G model for a battery replacement, then they don't have anything to give back to you. That's when Apple gives out a newer model. I doubt they'd be in the situation where they're giving out a brand new player. Its just refurbed well. ;)

Since it takes so long to replace one battery, say 3-4 weeks, the system they have now won't require you to wait for 3-4 weeks for your iPod. They can make it shiny and test it and ship you a refurb iPod quick.

This is also why I don't care about scratching up my iPod. :p
Click to expand...

I didn't mean new in the sense that it's a completely new iPod. I meant it as new to you. Hence in the context of my reply, it makes sense. :p
 
appleupnorth said:
-Apple does replace batteries in the store as well. They have never given out a competely new iPod for a battery failure.
Click to expand...

if you send your ipod back under warranty, or pay the 100 fee, you'll likely get a new ipod.

my battery failed under warranty (a few days before the warranty was up). they'll send out a package by courier, you drop your ipod in the case for shipping, they'll send you a new one about 1.5 weeks later. i had a 20Gb 3G ipod which was replaced with a new 20Gb 3G.

very nice, and quick.
 
superfunkomatic said:
if you send your ipod back under warranty, or pay the 100 fee, you'll likely get a new ipod.

my battery failed under warranty (a few days before the warranty was up). they'll send out a package by courier, you drop your ipod in the case for shipping, they'll send you a new one about 1.5 weeks later. i had a 20Gb 3G ipod which was replaced with a new 20Gb 3G.

very nice, and quick.
Click to expand...

Again, you sure its new and not refurbished? That was what I was talking about in my post.

Maybe its new to you, but its probably just the iPod of a guy who sent it in for battery replacement several weeks prior to when you sent yours in. This way the turn-around is much quicker for you. They'll do this as long as they have some in stock (ie: as long as people have been sending in your exact model iPod recently).

So, they can fix the scratches, too? I wonder how they do that.
Click to expand...

Its easy, and is documented at MR in many threads. There are very common cleaning chemicals that take the scratches off the front and back.
 
what if your battery is dead on a 3G, and u want to upgrade to a 30 gig ipod photo....can you pay the difference? (If u don't have apple care)
 
No, its not your choice. Its luck of the draw.

Its not really Apple's choice, either. If people haven't been sending in 3G iPods for battery replacement over the past several months, there's no way to give you a 3G iPod back unless they actually keep track of which exact 3G iPod is yours, replace the battery, and send you the exact same one back, as there were no other 3G iPods in the "bin." Since this would take around a month (as it does with engraved iPods), they just bite the bullet and send you a 4G model that someone else sent in for replacement.

Anyway, why would you pay the price difference on a refurb? It wouldn't even be a new product you're getting back, unless you're talking about paying the difference between the battery replacement and a NEW iPod Photo. :confused:
 
Abstract said:
No, its not your choice. Its luck of the draw.

Its not really Apple's choice, either. If people haven't been sending in 3G iPods for battery replacement over the past several months, there's no way to give you a 3G iPod back unless they actually keep track of which exact 3G iPod is yours, replace the battery, and send you the exact same one back, as there were no other 3G iPods in the "bin." Since this would take around a month (as it does with engraved iPods), they just bite the bullet and send you a 4G model that someone else sent in for replacement.

Anyway, why would you pay the price difference on a refurb? It wouldn't even be a new product you're getting back, unless you're talking about paying the difference between the battery replacement and a NEW iPod Photo. :confused:
Click to expand...

is this to me? If so yea, a new ipod photo from the store...kinda like an upgrade...
 
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