Apple is exploring whether to offer rebates to customers who previously purchased full-price iPhone batteries

Apple is exploring whether to offer rebates to customers who previously purchased fresh iPhone batteries in the wake of a controversy about its practice of slowing down older devices.

In December, Apple faced immense criticism after engineers discovered that it throttled the performance of its operating system, iOS, on certain older iPhones in order to keep their batteries alive. In response, Apple said it would provide discounts on battery replacements.

But a top Republican lawmaker investigating the issue — Sen. John Thune, who leads the tech-focused Commerce Committee — wanted to know what would happen to consumers who already purchased new batteries at their previous, higher prices.

Thune asked Apple in a letter this January: “Has Apple explored whether consumers who paid the full, non-discounted price for a replacement batter in an effort to restore performance should be allowed to seek a rebate for some of the purchase price?”

In response, Cynthia Hogan, the iPhone giant’s vice president for public policy in the Americas, told Thune in a reply released Tuesday: “Yes, we are exploring this and will update you accordingly.”

This article originally appeared on Recode.net.

We have a request

Vox's journalism is free because we believe that everyone deserves to understand the world that they live in. That kind of knowledge helps create better citizens, neighbors, friends, parents, consumers and stewards of this planet. In short, understanding benefits everyone. You can join in on this mission by making a financial gift to Vox today. Reader support helps keep our work free, for everyone. Will you join us?

One-Time Monthly Annual

$95/year

$120/year

$250/year

$350/year

Other

$

Yes, I'll give $120/year

Yes, I'll give $120/year

We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. You can also contribute via