MANILA - One of Apple's authorized distributors in the Philippines on Monday released guidelines for iPhone battery replacements, as the technology giant contained the fallout from its admission that it was slowing handsets with software updates.

Battery replacements will cost P1,500 for eligible units, inclusive of labor, Power Mac Center said in a statement, adding the price could change due to importation costs.

Since the replacement program was announced 2 weeks ago, Power Mac said it had replaced batteries on 150 iPhones.

Apple CEO Tim Cook last week said he was "deeply" sorry for slowing older iPhones, saying it was necessary to prevent the devices form shutting down unexpectedly.

Anyone with an iPhone 6 or later can avail of battery replacements, with discounts for out-of-warranty units, Apple said in December.

Power Mac said iPhone owners in the Philippines should have their phones checked for "battery condition and other internal and external physical/accidental damage or unauthorized modification that may or may not be visible to the naked eye."

"If such issues are found, the iPhone will be ineligible for the battery replacement," the retailer said.

Apple engineers will also recommend part or unit replacement should other issues arise during the inspection, it said.

Should customers decide not to proceed with the repair, they will be required to pay a diagnostic fee, it said.