Consumer Commission Fines Apple and Flipkart Over Faulty iPhone 14 Battery

A consumer commission in Jalandhar has held Apple India, Flipkart, and the concerned seller jointly liable for a defective iPhone 14, ordering a total refund and compensation of ₹84,846. The case originated from a customer's complaint regarding persistent battery drain issues following a purchase made during Flipkart's Big Billion Days sale in October 2023. The commission emphasized that companies cannot use internal agreements or status as an intermediary to evade responsibility for servicing branded products.

The customer reported that the device exhibited abnormal battery performance immediately upon unboxing, noting that the packaging lacked the original seal. Despite the customer's attempts to seek a replacement, he was redirected to an authorized Apple service center where staff reportedly found no hardware faults and suggested a software update. Flipkart argued against its liability by asserting it acted merely as a marketplace intermediary, while Apple maintained that its support services met standards and that the product was not defective.

Finding the responses from both Apple and Flipkart unsatisfactory, the commission rejected their defenses due to a lack of evidence, specifically the absence of a detailed job sheet showing a thorough inspection of the device. The ruling mandates a refund of ₹54,846, alongside ₹20,000 for mental harassment and ₹10,000 for legal expenses. This decision sets a precedent for consumer accountability, reinforcing the expectation that e-commerce platforms and manufacturers must provide seamless support to buyers regardless of internal corporate hierarchies.