Folks, there’s a known problem in the media industry that headlines regarding bad things about Apple get the clicks. Ergo, you should be a little suspicious about bad headlines about Apple. (Most commonly, bad headlines about computers or phones in general become Apple headlines.)

Apple has always tested batteries before replacing them; if your device is less than two years old, it’s unlikely the battery is in bad enough shape to need a replacement. But it can happen in months, and that’s not an Apple hates you thing, that’s a laws of physics thing.

I’m any case: don’t run, saunter. Demand will likely exceed supply for a while; $29 is a steal (most third-party replacements are $50), and *everyone* thinks right now that Apple is personally trying to screw them. Go if you’re unhappy about your battery life, or if your old phone is slow and you’re not sure if it’s the battery thing. (Most of the time, it won’t be; other things make your phone *look* slow which have nothing to do with it.)

Otherwise, sure, ask about the battery next time you’re in or near an Apple Store anyway. This program isn’t going to go anywhere for a long while, and when it “ends,” my instinct is that the new permanent battery replacement price will probably split the difference at $49 or so. Review | Run, don’t walk, to replace your iPhone battery for $29