Kerala Consumer Court Orders Apple to Replace Defective iPhone 13 Battery, Award ₹45K Compensation

Apple has been directed by a consumer court in Kerala to replace the defective battery of an iPhone 13 and provide ₹45,000 in compensation to the owner. The court also instructed Apple to cover litigation costs of ₹5,000.

The ruling came after an Ayurveda doctor filed a complaint stating that her iPhone 13 developed significant battery problems within six months of purchase. The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, presided over by President PR Sholy and members CK Lekhama, issued the order on September 26, determining that Apple had demonstrated a deficiency in service.

The complainant purchased the iPhone 13 (128 GB) in November 2023 for ₹53,499. By May 2024, she noticed rapid battery drain and overheating. The phone unexpectedly shut down despite indicating a 50% charge. Upon inspection, she discovered the battery had swollen, causing the screen to partially detach and rendering the device unsafe.

While an authorized service center confirmed the defects, they declined to provide warranty service. Instead, they presented a repair estimate of ₹50,906. Apple argued that batteries are consumable parts not covered under warranty and cited alleged accidental and cosmetic damage as further grounds for denying warranty service.

The consumer forum, however, scrutinized Apple's warranty conditions. It noted that while the warranty excludes consumable parts, an exception exists for manufacturing defects. An expert commissioner, a mobile phone technician appointed by the forum, examined the iPhone and concluded that the battery's swelling indicated a manufacturing defect. This conclusion was based on the rapid onset of the issue (within six months) and the absence of any evidence of misuse, mishandling, or external damage.

Furthermore, the forum highlighted the fact that the Apple service center technician who assessed the complainant's phone did not appear before the court.

Based on these findings, the commission determined that Apple could not selectively apply warranty exclusion clauses when the defect fell under the manufacturing defect exception. The refusal to repair or replace the battery, therefore, constituted a deficiency in service.

The consumer forum has instructed Apple to replace the battery at no cost, offering a new six-month warranty. If the device cannot be repaired, Apple must replace it with a new handset. In addition to these remedies, Apple is required to pay the aforementioned compensation and cover the litigation costs.