Class action lawsuit accuses Apple of slowing down older iPhones with iOS 9 update
Apple today was hit with a class action lawsuit accusing it of significantly slowing down the iPhone 4s with the iOS 9 update. as noted by AppleInsider. Plaintiff Chaim Lerman says he and other iPhone 4s owners became unable to use their devices after upgrading to iOS 9 as the update “significantly slowed down” their iPhones and “interfered with the normal usage of the device.”
The Plaintiff accuses Apple of engaging in deceptive trade practices and false advertisement by showcasing that iOS 9 works on the iPhone 4s. In reality though, the update slows down the phone so much that 4s owners are left with two options: spend hundreds of dollars on a new iPhone or use a frustratingly slow device.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiff also claims that Apple was aware of how iOS 9 will negatively impact the performance of the iPhone 4s, but the company still went ahead with its marketing campaign which promised improved performance and battery life. Apple also failed to warn iPhone 4s owners about performance issues that they might come across after updating their device. A slower device will lead customers to spend hundreds of dollars to buy a new iPhone, which benefits Apple.
When iPhone 4s owners are faced with the dilemma of continuing to use a slow, buggy phone or spend hundreds to buy a new phone, Apple often benefits because consumers will often buy a new iPhone to keep their investment in the App ecosystem. […]
Furthermore, iPhone owners will buy a newer iPhone when faced with the choice because it is familiar and they can easily transfer their information, media, contacts, and apps without a major disruption in usage. There is no learning curve and no delays and trouble that accompany new information input. Thus Apple stands to benefit financially when older iPhones are slowed down and owners are forced to purchase a new phone.
The class action lawsuit is backed by more than 100 frustrated iPhone 4s owners and they are claiming $5 million in damages from Apple.
This isn’t the first time Apple has been accused of planned obsolescence, as the company was hit with a lawsuit in 2011 regarding the iPhone 3G and iOS 4. That case was thrown out by the judge who ruled the iOS 4 update was not a “good or service” and dismissed claims of false advertising and deceptive business practices.