Apple Says iPhone 6s Shutdowns Result of Manufacturing Issue Causing Batteries to Degrade Faster

Apple has posted a message on its Chinese website to address unexpected battery shutdowns affecting some iPhone 6s models, noting the issue is related to some batteries having been overexposed to "controlled ambient air" during the manufacturing process (via Business Insider).

iphone-6s-colors

We found that a small number of iPhone 6s devices made in September and October 2015 contained a battery component that was exposed to controlled ambient air longer than it should have been before being assembled into battery packs. As a result, these batteries degrade faster than a normal battery and cause unexpected shutdowns to occur. It's important to note, this is not a safety issue.

Apple added that iPhones are designed to shut down automatically under certain conditions, such as extremely cold temperature. In this case, some iPhone 6s models are shutting down with around 30% battery percentage remaining to protect the device's internal components from low voltage.

Apple said it has investigated other factors that could potentially cause an iPhone to shut down unexpectedly, but it has not identified any new factors. Nevertheless, the company said it will continue to monitor and analyze customer reports. Apple reiterated the battery issues are not a safety concern.

Apple launched a repair program earlier this month offering free battery replacements for affected iPhone 6s models. These devices fall within a limited serial number range manufactured between September 2015 and October 2015. Apple has since launched a tool to check if your serial number is affected.

Apple is also offering refunds to customers who previously paid to have their eligible iPhone 6s battery repaired or replaced. Apple recommends customers experiencing iPhone 6s battery issues visit an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, or contact Apple Support.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

Apple Changes How You Order a Mac

Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...

Top Rated Comments

pk7 Avatar
120 months ago
To everyone that made fun of Samsung's exploding batteries;

What's good?
This isn't even remotely the same thing. On one hand you have a battery that just shuts down because it can't hold power as well as it should be. On the other hand, you have a phone blowing up in your face.

Can you read?
"This is not a safety issue."

Please tell me you weren't being serious....
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jdillings Avatar
120 months ago
Cook has got to go....this is getting ridiculous.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
120 months ago
To everyone that made fun of Samsung's exploding batteries;

What's good?
What's good is the fact that my phone won't blow up in my hand
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
120 months ago
At least it wasn't uncontrolled ambient air.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dented Avatar
120 months ago
I sent my phone in with this issue a couple of months ago and they tried to tell me it was something to do with the lightning port being damaged (the port worked perfectly) and I had to pay £100 for that repair before they'd even look at the battery. I told them to forget that, and they returned it unfixed. Surprise surprise, the serial number is now eligible.

I suspect this is WAY more widespread than they're making out. It was obvious at the time that they were looking for any reason not to do the repair under warranty, probably because they were awash with them.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rudy69 Avatar
120 months ago
It sucks because we went in sept to have them look at my wife's phone (it shuts down randomly at 20-40%). It was about 2-3 days before the warranty was about to run out and the Apple guy said her phone was "fine". Now we have to book another appointment and get it fixed finally. But it's a hassle and it sucks we have to go twice and they made us feel like we were making it up the first time. "oh you have Facebook AND spotify on your phone, that's why the battery drains so fast".
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)