Apple and Samsung fined for slowing down older phones
‘Planned obsolescence’ over iPhone 6 and Note 4 costs tech giants millions of euros

Apple and Samsung have each been fined millions of euros for deliberately slowing down older smartphones.
Italy’s competition authority, the Autorita Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), handed fines of €10m (£8.8m) to Apple and €5m (£4.4m) to Samsung for “planned obsolescence” - where tech firms significantly reduce the performance of their products in a bid to get customers to upgrade.
The AGCM launched an investigation into the two tech giants in January after customers complained that certain software upgrades were having a detrimental effect on older devices, The Guardian reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In a statement, the AGCM said: “Apple and Samsung implemented dishonest commercial practices,” adding that the firms “caused serious dysfunctions and reduced performance significantly”, prompting users to upgrade to newer models.
Apple was handed a heavier fine than Samsung because it “failed to tell customers important details about iPhone batteries”, such as how to prolong their device’s battery life, the BBC says.
Both companies must also “publish a declaration” on their Italian websites informing users of the watchdog’s decision, adds the broadcaster.
A Samsung spokesperson said the company was “disappointed” with the decision and would appeal. Apple has yet to comment.
Are you affected?
Owners of the Samsung Note 4 and iPhone 6 users are among those who may have downloaded software optimised for newer models.
In 2014, Samsung “insistently suggested” that Note 4 users should upgrade to a new version of Google’s Android operating system “intended for the more recent Note 7”, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Apple, meanwhile, was found to have carried out a similar practice on iPhone 6 users, handing them a software upgrade that was optimised for the iPhone 7, the newspaper adds.
However, the tech giant claimed the updates were aimed at helping users prolong their battery life and prevent sudden shutdowns.
And it has taken measures to reduce the performance-hindering impact of updates. Apple claims its most recent iOS 12 mobile operating system should bring a notable speed increase on older models.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Depleted FEMA struggling as hurricane season begins
speed read FEMA has lost a third of its workforce amid DOGE cuts enforced by President Donald Trump
-
June 3 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Tuesday's political cartoons include RFK Jr. and the CDC, Elon Musk's DOGE exit, and Donald Trump versus academic freedom
-
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: the group behind Gaza's controversial new aid programme
The Explainer Deadly shootings and chaotic scenes have been reported at aid sites after US group replaced UN humanitarian organisations
-
Is Apple breaking up with Google?
Today's Big Question Google is the default search engine in the Safari browser. The emergence of artificial intelligence could change that.
-
Why won't Apple make iPhones in America?
Today's Big Question Trump offers a reprieve on tariffs, for now
-
Not there yet: The frustrations of the pocket AI
Feature Apple rushes to roll out its ‘Apple Intelligence’ features but fails to deliver on promises
-
Space-age living: The race for robot servants
Feature Meta and Apple compete to bring humanoid robots to market
-
Apple pledges $500B in US spending over 4 years
Speed Read This is a win for Trump, who has pushed to move manufacturing back to the US
-
TikTok alternatives surge in popularity as app ban looms
The Explainer TikTok might be prohibited from app stores in the United States
-
DOJ seeks breakup of Google, Chrome
Speed Read The Justice Department aims to force Google to sell off Chrome and make other changes to rectify its illegal search monopoly
-
Google Maps gets an AI upgrade to compete with Apple
Under the Radar The Google-owned Waze, a navigation app, will be getting similar upgrades