Apple Says `Small Percentage' of IPhone 7s Need Component Repair

Apple Says `Small Percentage' of IPhone 7s Need Component Repair

Apple Inc. said a “small percentage“ of iPhone 7 smartphones may experience a component failure that makes it appear the phone isn’t connected to cellular networks even when service is available. Apple said it would repair affected devices at no charge, according to a news report by Bloomberg.

The units were sold from September 2016 to February 2018 in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau and the U.S., Apple said Friday in a statement on its website. Apple said it would reimburse those who’ve paid for a repair related to this issue.

The company, which reported earnings Thursday, didn’t make clear which component has malfunctioned. The news marks Apple’s fourth official iPhone-related replacement program since 2015. Apple previously offered free repairs for limited numbers of iPhone 5s camera issues, iPhone 6 Plus touchscreen problems, and iPhone 6s devices that would randomly shut down.