Germany Sales Ban

As part of a legal dispute with Qualcomm, for a short period Apple has stopped selling iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 models in Germany. A German court in December ruled that Apple's older devices infringe on a Qualcomm patent related to a feature designed to preserve battery life when sending and receiving wireless signals. Apple modified the iPhone 7 and 8 models in Germany to use Qualcomm modems to get around the ban, and the iPhone 7 and 8 are once again available in Germany. All German models in the country use LTE chips from Qualcomm. Apple experienced a similar sales ban in China, but was able to overcome it with a software update removing patented functionality from iPhones.

Microphones and Audio

There is a microphone issue that affects some iPhone 7 and 7 Plus models, causing the microphone on the device not to work. Apple temporarily offered no-cost repairs to consumers in early 2018, but as of late 2018, the company again appears to be charging consumers for the issue once again. Apple charges over $300 for microphone-related repairs.

Apple is also facing two class action lawsuits over audio issues on the iPhone 7. Apple is accused of selling the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus with an audio chip defect that results in grayed out speaker buttons to issues being heard during phone calls and video chats.

Power Management for Depleted Batteries

In devices that have degraded lithium-ion batteries, Apple has introduced power management features that can slow down the iPhone during times of peak power draw to prevent unexpected shutdowns.

Apple first introduced the power management features in iOS 10.2.1, but the issue received additional attention at the end of 2017 after it became clear that power management involved slowing down iPhones with batteries that are running at a sub-optimal level.

Several lawsuits have been filed against Apple accusing the company of deliberately slowing devices to encourage upgrades, which Apple says it does not do. Power management features are designed to extend the life of the iPhone rather than shorten it.

Following significant backlash over the issue, Apple announced a $29 battery replacement program, allows customers who have an iPhone 6 or later to replace their batteries for $29 regardless of battery health.

Each older iPhone is entitled to one low-cost battery replacement. Supplies were limited in early 2018 due to demand, but Apple is offering reduced-cost batteries through the end of the year.

Customers who already paid for a battery replacement for an iPhone 6 or later in 2017 from Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider are eligible for a $50 credit.

Any customers who are affected by the power management features and slowdowns because of a depleted battery will see improved performance after replacing the battery. It's important to note, though, that even those affected by throttling will not see it at all times -- it only kicks in at certain times when the processor is taxed.

As promised back in December, iOS 11.3 introduces a new "Battery Health" section to the Battery portion of the Settings app, which provides iOS users with more information about the health of their iPhone battery.

It includes details on current maximum capacity, current operating performance, and if an iPhone is subjected to throttling via power management features, it offers a toggle to turn it off. More details can be found in our how to post.

Power management features impact the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus.

No Service

Apple has launched a repair program for iPhone 7 models impacted by an ongoing bug that causes them to say "No Service" even when cellular coverage is available.

Apple is offering free repairs for devices impacted by this issue, which includes iPhone 7 devices with the following model numbers: A1660, A1779, and A1780. Customers in need of a repair should contact Apple support, visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider, or visit an Apple retail store.

LTE Performance

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus use different LTE modems, sourced from Intel and Qualcomm. The Intel modem only supports GSM and is limited to the AT&T and T-Mobile networks in the U.S., while the Qualcomm modem supports GSM/CDMA and is available for Verizon and Sprint. According to iPhone 7 Plus testing done by Cellular Insights, the Intel iPhone models perform worse than the Qualcomm models when in areas with poor signal. When signal strength is good, there are no performance problems, and real world experience may vary from user to user.

Apple may also be throttling the LTE performance of the Verizon iPhone 7 with a Qualcomm modem to keep it on par with the AT&T iPhone 7 with an Intel modem. Based on testing, the Verizon iPhone 7 should significantly outperform the AT&T iPhone 7, but instead, the two devices perform similarly with the Verizon iPhone 7 displaying only a slight edge.

When compared to a Samsung Galaxy S7 that also has a Qualcomm chip, the Verizon iPhone 7 could not compete, suggesting Apple has limited its performance to ensure feature parity between iPhone models on different networks.

Jet Black iPhone - Peeling Regulatory Labels

Apple customers who purchased a Jet Black iPhone 7 or 7 Plus should exercise caution when using a device skin that covers the back of the smartphone. Several iPhone owners have discovered that when the skin is peeled off, it removes part of the regulatory labeling and rear text, such as "Designed by Apple in California."

Matte Black iPhone - Chipping

A number of customers who purchased the matte Black iPhone 7 or 7 Plus have noticed that the anodized finish on their devices has started chipping or peeling off in areas where there has allegedly been little wear. According to Apple, the chipping is a normal cosmetic issue and is not covered by warranty.