At a time when the cost of goods is going up, people are looking for any way to save money—especially on essentials like transportation. Many American cities lack adequate public transit. So rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft have become essential in many people’s everyday lives.
However, prices for these services can be unpredictable. Sometimes, a customer can be relying on a rideshare app to get them home, only to open the app and discover that their ride will be significantly more expensive than they thought.
This is occasionally due to “surge pricing.” Surge pricing is where, according to Uber, rides will cost more due to increased demand. That said, there’s another reason why some say the ride will be more expensive: the user’s battery life. But is it true?
Does Your Battery Life Affect Your Uber Price?
In a viral clip, TikTok user @tabba_tat says that one should always keep their phone charged when ordering an Uber.
The TikToker says the reason is that people with lower phone battery percentages get charged more.
“Friendly reminder to keep your phone charged when ordering uber or they will up the price,” the TikToker writes in the text overlaying the video. The clip shows the user using a battery pack while in a car. It’s been viewed over 580,000 times.
A commenter, whose post the creator favorited, says that people with low batteries feel more desperate and are more likely to accept whatever ride is offered.
“Basically if your battery is low then you’re less picky about the price because you’re in a rush to book the uber and preserve your battery,” the comment reads. “Because of that theyll send you more expensive options to make more money.”
Is This Actually True?
This rumor has been floating around the internet for some time. However, there’s not a lot of evidence to suggest that it’s accurate.
As previously reported by BroBible, much of this fear appears to stem from two sources. First, Keith Chen, Uber’s former head of economic research, explained in a 2016 interview that internal data suggested riders with nearly drained batteries were more inclined to accept surge fares. Second, a newspaper tested this theory by ordering the same ride with two phones at different battery levels, and the phone with the lower battery got a higher price.
However, subsequent attempts to replicate the latter experiment have failed, per Snopes. Additionally, Uber flatly denies that they factor battery level into pricing, telling BroBible that the claim is “100% false.”
“Uber does not use any information about a user’s cell phone battery level in setting prices, and has never done so,” a previous statement to BroBible read.
Commenters Aren’t Sure
While some commenters supported this theory, others questioned its accuracy.
“I doubt it cuase I get the same ride almost everyday same time and the price changes don’t correlate with my phone percentage at all,” wrote a user.
“There is no api in android (without explicit permission) that gives an app battery information. I’m unfamiliar with ios, but I’m sure it’s similar,” offered another.
Still, some remained convinced.
“If they are increasing prices for low battery that’s evil,” stated an additional TikTok commenter.
BroBible reached out to @tabba_tat via TikTok direct message and comment.