Apple may take another step to mitigate the backlash over its decision to slow down older iPhones.
According to a letter released Tuesday, Apple said it is “exploring” whether to offer a rebate to customers who paid full-price for a battery replacement.
The tech company apologized to customers in December for using a software update to slow the performance of older iPhone models. It also dropped the price of replacement batteries for the iPhone 6 and later models from $79 to $29.
A decision to offer a rebate to customers could help offset some customer outrage, but it might also add to investor jitters about the cost of Apple’s strategy for defusing the bad PR.
On a conference call with analysts last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook was asked whether investors should worry about discounted battery replacements cutting into the number of customers who feel the need to upgrade their iPhones.
“We did not consider in any way, shape, or form, what it would do to upgrade rates. We did it because we thought it was the right thing to do for our customers,” Cook said on the call. “Sitting here today, I don’t know what effect it will have.”