Apple admits ‘very limited’ iPhone 5S battery problem

WASHINGTON – Apple says a “very limited number” of new iPhone 5S users may experience shortened battery life because of a manufacturing problem.

An Apple spokesperson told the New York Times: “We recently discovered a manufacturing issue affecting a very limited number of iPhone 5S devices that could cause the battery to take longer to charge or result in reduced battery life.”

The Apple spokesperson, Teresa Brewer says the company is working to replace the defective phones.

“We are reaching out to customers with affected phones and will provide them with a replacement phone,” says Brewer.

Apple has heralded the extended battery life of the top-of-the-line iPhone, which went on sale last month, along with the less-expensive iPhone 5C.

According to specs released by Apple, both of the new phones can run up to 250 hours on standby, or be used for up to 10 hours of phone calls.

Apple did not specify how many of the iPhones are defective, but the New York Times says the statement implies a few thousand phones.

Apple has said it sold 9 million iPhones in its first weekend on sale.

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