Sharply inflated memory costs have pushed global smartphone prices up an estimated 20 percent since the start of the year, according to Engadget. That has led consumers to hold onto their devices longer or buy refurbished phones. But one major barrier to extending a phone's life remains: tech companies generally do not offer cheap battery replacements.
Apple currently charges $129 for an out-of-warranty battery replacement on its newest Pro iPhone and $89 for an older base model like the 2020 iPhone 12. Samsung does not prominently list its battery replacement prices, but reports suggest customers pay between $99 and $129. Extended warranty plans like AppleCare and Samsung Care+ cover batteries, but customers must sign up shortly after buying a device. DIY repair through iFixit is an option, though most modern phones are not designed to be user-repairable.
Engadget points to 2018 as proof that cheaper battery swaps can change behavior. After Apple temporarily reduced battery replacement to $29 in the United States, annual battery swaps reportedly jumped from 1–2 million to 11 million. Tim Cook later cut Apple's revenue forecast, noting that some customers were taking advantage of battery pricing instead of upgrading, though he attributed most of the shortfall to an economic slowdown in China.
With memory manufacturers predicting supply may not catch up with demand until 2030, Engadget argues Apple, Samsung, and other device makers should offer cheap, out-of-warranty battery replacements while the shortage lasts. The source notes that while phones have grown more complex and some components scarcer, the lithium-ion cells that power them have dropped in cost—making affordable replacements a reasonable option.