In a win for consumers, Kerala’s Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Apple India to fix Binu Jacob’s defective iPhone 13 battery and pay ₹45,000, slamming the firm’s service lapses after years of complaints. (35 words)
A Kerala consumer court ruled on 10 December 2025 that Apple India must replace the faulty battery in Binu Jacob’s iPhone 13-purchased for ₹72,599 in September 2022-and compensate him ₹45,000, including ₹5,000 for court costs. Jacob, a Kochi resident, faced repeated shutdowns from December 2022, with Apple’s centres citing “unknown reason” errors across three failed repairs by August 2023.
Apple argued normal wear and tear or accidental damage, but the bench-President D Baby and member T.B. Noushad-deemed it a “deficiency in service,” ordering action within 30 days. No appeal from Apple has surfaced as of 16 December 2025, highlighting tensions in warranty claims.
Consumer’s Ordeal: A Timeline of Frustration
Binu Jacob’s troubles began mere months after buying the iPhone 13 from an authorised Kochi dealer. The device, billed as a premium product with robust battery life, started shutting down unexpectedly. Jacob first approached an Apple service centre in December 2022, only to hear the now-familiar “unknown reason” diagnosis-no fix offered.
Undeterred, he returned in March and August 2023, enduring the same outcome each time. “I trusted Apple’s reputation for quality,” Jacob told the court, his voice carrying the weight of betrayal after spending a small fortune. By September 2023, with the phone still unusable, he filed a complaint seeking either a full refund or replacement.
Apple’s written defence claimed the issues stemmed from “normal usage degradation,” but provided no evidence, a point the commission seized upon.
Court’s Verdict: Holding Tech Giants Accountable
The Ernakulam commission’s order cuts through corporate excuses with precision. Noting the phone’s age-barely two years old-the bench rejected Apple’s wear-and-tear plea, emphasising that premium devices carry expectations of longevity.
“The respondent [Apple] has failed to provide satisfactory after-sales service,” the ruling stated, mandating battery replacement or a new unit, plus compensation for mental agony and legal fees.
This isn’t isolated; India’s consumer courts have fined tech firms repeatedly-from Samsung for faulty refrigerators to Xiaomi over delayed repairs-amid a surge in gadget disputes.
In 2024 alone, the National Consumer Helpline logged over 50,000 electronics complaints, many tied to warranty denials. Jacob’s case adds to this tally, potentially setting a precedent for battery-related claims on high-end iPhones.
Broader Context: India’s Consumer Tech Battles
Warranty woes plague India’s smartphone market, valued at ₹2.5 lakh crore in 2025. Buyers often grapple with part shortages, vague rejections, or demands for “accidental damage” proof on manufacturing flaws.
Apple’s ecosystem, while innovative, faces scrutiny: a 2024 survey by LocalCircles found 28% of iPhone users reporting service dissatisfaction, versus 19% for Android rivals. Similar rulings abound-a Delhi court in 2023 ordered Apple to refund an iPhone 12 buyer after repair delays; Tamil Nadu fined the firm ₹1 lakh last year for a MacBook defect. Post-ruling, Apple’s silence persists, but consumer forums buzz with Jacob’s story, amplified on social media.
Experts like advocate Biju Poonthottathil note: “These verdicts empower filers, but awareness remains low-many settle for subpar fixes.” As 5G rollouts boost device sales, such cases underscore the need for transparent policies.
Rising Tide of Gadget Disputes
Data paints a stark picture. The consumer fora handled 1.3 lakh tech complaints in 2024-25, up 15% from prior years, per government reports.
Batteries top the list for iPhones, often blamed on software glitches or heat in India’s climate. Apple’s authorised centres, stretched thin, prioritise newer models, leaving older ones in limbo. Jacob’s victory follows global trends too-a US class-action suit in 2024 accused Apple of throttling battery performance, settled quietly.
In India, the Consumer Protection Act 2019 bolsters such fights, allowing courts to award up to twice the product cost in penalties. Yet, enforcement lags: many winners wait months for compliance.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This ruling reaffirms that consumers deserve empathy, not evasion, from giants like Apple-fostering trust through accountability paves the way for harmonious markets and kinder innovation.
At The Logical Indian, we applaud courts nurturing positive change, urging brands to prioritise dialogue over denials.
