Over the years, Apple has built a strong reputation for its premium hardware, long-lasting products, and dependable after-sales support. This is one of the reasons that many users are willing to pay a premium price for its products. And that trust is largely driven by the belief that Apple products are built to last and that support does not disappear once a device ages out of warranty. While repair experiences might not always end positively, a recent incident shared online highlights why many users continue to stick with the brand despite higher upfront costs.
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A Reddit user recently described their experience with a 2018 15-inch MacBook Pro that had begun showing Apple’s “battery service recommended” warning after years of daily use. The laptop was otherwise functional, prompting the user to explore a battery replacement rather than an upgrade. What followed was an unexpected outcome that has since drawn attention across the entire tech community.
According to the above-mentioned Reddit post, the user initially approached a local third-party repair shop, which quoted roughly £200 (Rs 24,470 approx) for a battery replacement. Wanting to compare options, the user then visited an Apple Store, where the official repair cost was said to be only around £45 (Rs 5,505 approx) more.
Then, the Apple Store staff reportedly carried out routine intake checks, including diagnostics, functionality testing, and photographing the device to document its condition. The user was later informed that the placement parts had been ordered and would take some time to arrive.
After approximately two weeks, the store contacted the customer with an update that changed the course of the repair. The MacBook Pro had allegedly stopped working during the repair process. Staff reportedly attempted the fix using two different sets of replacement parts but were unable to restore the laptop to a working state.
With repair attempts unsuccessful, the user said in the post that Apple proposed a replacement rather than returning a non-functional device. According to the post, Apple offered a new MacBook Pro in the closest available configuration and even asked the customer to choose a preferred colour.
The user claims Apple charged £0.00 for the replacement, despite offers to pay the original battery replacement fee and additional costs for a nano-texture display upgrade. The replacement device was described as a 16-inch M4 MacBook Pro, reportedly valued at £3,249.
For context, Apple’s UK store currently lists 16-inch MacBook Pro models starting at £2,499 for M4 Pro variants, while M4 Max configurations are priced from £3,499 before optional upgrades.
It is important to note that this account comes from a single user post on Reddit, and repair outcomes can vary by case. Apple’s repair terms allow for additional charges or returning devices unrepaired depending on authorisation. Still, the incident reinforces why many users continue to associate Apple with dependable long-term support.
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