Apple to Charge AirPods Buyers for Battery Service Even Under Warranty

Apple has finally started taking pre-orders of the AirPods after much delay, and the accessory is set to hit shelves on December 21. The company has even updated its service pricing page to reflect the changes, and it states that the battery service for the AirPods will cost the consumer $49 (roughly Rs. 3,400) at the least.

According to the pricing page, only defective AirPods and their charging case are serviced and replaced for free if they are within the one-year warranty period. However, if the AirPods lose battery capacity over time, then it won't be covered under warranty. This means that even if the AirPods and the charging case start to underperform in less than a year, you will need to pay up for a service from Apple. The same is the case for accidental damage.

"Our warranty covers a defective battery, but it doesn't cover wear from normal use. If the battery capacity on your AirPods or charging case decreases over time, you can replace them for a battery service fee. If your AirPods or charging case get damaged accidentally, you can pay an out-of-warranty fee. And if you lose an AirPod or your charging case, we can replace your lost item for a fee," the page reads.

For servicing the battery under warranty, each AirPod costs $49 (roughly Rs. 3,400) and the charging case will set you back an additional $49 (roughly Rs. 3,400). For servicing the battery out of warranty, the same will cost you $69 (roughly Rs. 4,700) for each component. If you happen to lose even one component (i.e. one AirPod or the charging case) of the accessory, it can be purchased again for $69 (roughly Rs. 4,700) each.

Looking at the service pricing page, it seems like the AirPods can't be covered by Apple Care. The AirPods are priced at $159 (Rs. 15,400 in India). There is still no word on when the accessory will arrive in India, or what its repair and service cost will be.