Following last month’s announcement that US-based Apple Inc. has issued a recall of some of its iPhone 5 mobiles, Qatar residents with the faulty devices are now eligible for a replacement battery, free of charge.
Two weeks ago, Apple said it was recalling “a very small percentage” of iPhone 5s that struggled with weak batteries due to poor manufacturing.
In a statement, the company said that the affected phones were sold between September 2012 and January 2013.
According to the Peninsula, Apple is collaborating with Qatar’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce on the recall campaign here, and updates will be available on the ministry’s website.
Vodafone, Ooredoo begin repairs
Although an official recall campaign has yet to be launched here, Vodafone-Qatar told Doha News that it has begun free battery repairs for its customers. A spokesperson said:
“All Vodafone customers, with an iPhone 5 handset that meets the eligibility criteria cited in Apple’s statement, can visit their nearest Vodafone service centre to have their handsets’ batteries replaced. The replacement process will take approximately 30 minutes.”
Customers can also contact Vodafone’s customer care center via email ([email protected]) or phone (800 7111) for help.
Ooredoo has also begun repairs for its customers. In order to have the faulty battery replaced, customers must visit one of Ooredoo’s branches before being directed to Starlink’s repair center.
Customers can also contact Ooredoo’s call center on 111 for more information.
A Vodafone spokesperson said that an announcement will be made shortly by Vodafone and competitor Ooredoo, both official Apple resellers, to further explain the procedure.
Apple’s requirements
In order to receive the battery replacement, users must ensure their phone falls within the affected serial number range.
They can check eligibility by entering their battery’s serial number into Apple’s number checker online. Instructions on how to locate the number can be found here.
The phone must also be in working order and phones with damage that impairs the replacement of the battery, such as broken screens, need to be fixed beforehand to avoid additional costs, according to Apple.
Apple has also instructed customers to back up all phone data before erasing it. Users must also turn off the “Find my iPhone” setting on their phone.
Finally, customers who meet the requirements but have already paid to have their battery replaced will be refunded.
This is not the first time Apple has recalled batteries and chargers. Last year, iPhone 5S users complained of the same battery problem, and most recently, Apple exchanged all European USB iPhone adapters due to overheating.
Have you been experiencing battery problems with your iPhone? Thoughts?
